Legal Officer

WIPO•Geneva, IL

10d•$64,121 - $122,279

About The Position

The post is located in the Copyright Law Division (CLD or Division), within the Copyright and Creative Industries Sector (CCIS). The Division is responsible for the implementation of WIPO’s strategic goal concerning the balanced evolution of the international normative framework for intellectual property in the area of copyright and related rights and assists Member States in drafting and updating their national copyright and related rights legislation as well as becoming party to and implementing the WIPO copyright and related rights treaties. The Division also functions as the secretariat for the Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights (SCCR). The main role of the incumbent is to provide assistance to Member States in drafting and updating their national legislation, regulations, and policies, and in adhering to and implementing the WIPO copyright and related rights treaties, and to conduct legal research and draft legal documents related to legislative assistance and treaty adherence and implementation.

Requirements

First-level university degree in law.
At least six years of relevant professional experience in intellectual property law, including at least three years of experience in the field of copyright and related rights in the public or private sector.
Excellent knowledge of the international copyright and related rights treaties.
Excellent analytical skills, with the ability to interpret legal texts and assess complex legal frameworks with strong attention to detail.
Excellent legal drafting and writing skills, with the ability to present technical legal analysis in clear, accessible language.
Ability to design and conduct legal research.
Excellent ability to work independently with appropriate guidance from supervisor.
Excellent oral and written communication and interpersonal skills and ability to maintain effective partnerships and working relations in a multi-cultural environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
Excellent organizational skills, including a methodical and accurate approach to projects in order to work towards defined results.
Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English and another UN language.

Nice To Haves

Advanced university degree in law.
Specialization in intellectual property law, including studies in copyright and related rights.
Experience conducting legal research in the area of copyright and related rights.
Experience working with multilateral copyright and related rights treaties.
Experience drafting or reviewing national copyright policies, laws or regulations.
Good written and spoken knowledge of a third UN language.
Ability to conduct comparative legal analysis across different legal systems (civil law, common law and mixed jurisdictions).
Knowledge of legislative drafting principles and techniques.
Good knowledge of project management techniques, including planning, implementation and monitoring.

Responsibilities

Provide legal and policy support to WIPO Member States related to adhering to the WIPO-administered copyright and related rights treaties and implementing them at the national level, including the review and analysis of existing or draft national legislation and regulations for consistency with treaty obligations.
Conduct research and analytical studies on the legislative and policy needs of countries, and regional groups, in the field of copyright and related rights.
Develop, under the guidance of the Legal Counsellor, measures to streamline the legislative assistance activities offered by the Division through the development of reference materials, model provisions, templates, checklists and related tools.
Monitor policy developments and undertake legal research on selected topics in copyright and related rights law.
Maintain working relationships with national copyright offices and representatives of Member States, as well as with copyright and related rights stakeholders.
Carry out the preparatory arrangements for result-oriented conferences, seminars, workshops and other activities convened by the Division, and prepares Secretariat documents for these activities.
Represent the Organization at conferences, seminars, workshops and other meetings, whether in person or virtually, and deliver presentations on the work of the Division and developments in the field of copyright and related rights.
Prepare briefing notes, internal reports and other administrative documents for the Division.
Support the normative work of the SCCR and perform other related duties as requested.