Associate Legal Editor

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING APPLICATION DEADLINE: please note that the deadline for applications is indicated in local time as per the time zone of the applicant’s location.

This post is a limited-term fixed-term post.

1. Organizational Context

a. Organizational Setting

The post is located in the PCT Legal Publication Unit, PCT User Resources Section, PCT Legal and User Relations Division, PCT Legal and International Affairs Department, Patents and Technology Sector. The PCT Legal Publication Unit is responsible for the maintenance and publication of Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) legal texts and related documents in all the languages in which they are produced and for the publication of Official Notices (PCT Gazette).

b. Purpose Statement

The incumbent is responsible for ensuring the accuracy, coherence and timely publication of PCT legal texts, thereby supporting the evolving needs of global stakeholders and the effective functioning of the PCT system, and for contributing to the preparation and review of legal and other informational materials published by the Section.

c. Reporting Lines

The incumbent works under the supervision of the Head, PCT Legal Publication Unit.

d. Work Relations

The incumbent works in close collaboration with the other staff of the Unit and the Section, as well as with colleagues within the PCT Legal and User Relations Division, the PCT Legal and International Affairs Department and the Patents and Technology Sector. The incumbent is also required to occasionally communicate with PCT Contracting States and Offices.

2. Duties and Responsibilities

The incumbent will perform the following principal duties:

a. Assist the Head of the Unit in the development, updating, and maintenance of PCT legal texts, legal resources, and information materials; contribute to the continuous improvement and modernization of publication processes.

b. Prepare, edit, review, and update PCT legal and related texts to ensure accuracy, clarity, coherence, and conformity with editorial standards and the Organization’s policies and practices, particularly the Patent Cooperation Treaty, the Regulations under the PCT, the PCT Administrative Instructions, the PCT Receiving Office Guidelines, and the PCT International Search and Preliminary Examination Guidelines, in both English and French.

c. Coordinate the preparation, consultation, editing, and publication of the official translations of PCT legal and related texts in all other languages in which they exist; where necessary, request further review by legal experts and/or relevant parties to help resolve any questions relating to the official translations.

d. Prepare, edit, update, and coordinate the provision and publication of other legal-related and official texts relating to the PCT, including certified copies of amendments to the PCT and its Regulations, the Agreements between the International Bureau and the International Searching and Preliminary Examining Authorities under the PCT, and the History of the PCT Regulations.

e. Upon request, assist in checking the spelling, language, and accuracy of other publications issued by the Section, such as Official Notices (PCT Gazette) and the PCT Newsletter; contribute to the preparation, provision, and updating of PCT information materials managed by the Section to support and encourage the wider use of the PCT.

f. Serve as the Division’s focal point for requesting translations and reviewing translations of PCT-related materials and content prepared in one language into other PCT publication languages.

g. Contribute to the provision of high-quality, customer-focused services by identifying varying customer needs, recommending best practices to improve customer interactions and, where appropriate, adopting a customer-centric approach to promote PCT growth.

h. Perform other related duties as required.

3. Requirements

Education (Essential)

First-level university degree, preferably in intellectual property law.

Experience (Essential)

At least three years of relevant professional experience, preferably including experience in editing, drafting or reviewing legal texts in an international and multilingual environment.

Experience (Desirable)

Experience in preparing and editing PCT-related texts, with regard both to substance and to form.

Language (Essential)

Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English and a good knowledge of French.

Language (Desirable)

Knowledge of other PCT publication languages.

Job Related Competencies (Essential)

Good knowledge of procedures under the PCT.
Excellent time management and work organization skills, and ability to work accurately within strict time limits and respecting deadlines.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and ability to maintain effective partnerships and working relations in a multi-cultural environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
Proficiency in digital tools, including Microsoft Office applications, AI-enabled applications, and online collaboration platforms, together with a commitment to continuous learning and the adoption of emerging editing and publication technologies.
Strong writing, editing and proofreading skills, with demonstrated attention to detail in handling complex legal or multilingual content.
Ability to coordinate multiple text preparation and publication workflows in a multilingual working environment, ensuring accuracy and timely delivery.

Job Related Competencies (Desirable)

Excellent understanding of the policies and procedures applicable to the work of the Section.

4. Organizational Competencies

1. Communicating effectively.

2. Showing team spirit.

3. Demonstrating integrity.

4. Valuing diversity.

5. Producing results.

6. Showing service orientation.

7. Seeing the big picture.

8. Seeking change and innovation.

9. Developing yourself and others.

5. Information

Mobility: WIPO staff members are international civil servants subject to the authority of the Director General and may be assigned to any activities, office or duty station of the Organization. Accordingly, the selected candidate may be required to move from time to time to new functions and/or to another duty station.

Annual salary:

Total annual salary consists of a net annual salary (net of taxes and before medical insurance and pension fund deductions) in US dollars and a post adjustment. Please note that this estimate is for information only. The post adjustment multiplier (cost of living allowance) is variable and subject to change (increase or decrease) without notice. The figures quoted below are based on the July 2026 rate of 84.7%

P2

Annual salary

$50,377

Post adjustment

$42,669

Total Salary

$93,046

Currency USD

Salaries and allowances are paid in Swiss francs at the official rate of exchange of the United Nations.

Please refer to WIPO’s Staff Regulation and Rules for detailed information concerning salaries, benefits and allowances.

Additional Information

* Initial fixed-term appointment of two years, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and other applicable conditions. The selected candidate’s appointment will be subject to an overall term of five years in this position, with normally no possibility of renewal beyond that term. S/he may, however, apply and be considered for other positions at WIPO.

This is not applicable to WIPO staff members on fixed-term, continuing or permanent appointments, who were recruited following a competition under Staff Regulation 4.10 (“Appointment Boards”).

This vacancy announcement may be used to fill other posts at the same grade with similar functions in accordance with Staff Rule 4.9.5.

Applications from qualified women as well as from qualified nationals of unrepresented Member States of WIPO and underrepresented geographical regions are encouraged. Please click on the following links for the list of unrepresented Member States and the list of underrepresented regions and the WIPO Member States in these regions.

The Organization reserves the right to make an appointment at a grade lower than that advertised.

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By completing an application, candidates understand that any willful misrepresentation made on this web site, or on any other documents submitted to WIPO during the application, may result in disqualification from the recruitment process, or termination of employment with WIPO at a later date, if that employment resulted from such willful misrepresentations.

In the event that your candidature is shortlisted, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of your identification and the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WIPO recognizes higher educational qualifications obtained from institutions accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list maintained by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed here: http://www.whed.net/. Some higher educational qualifications may not be listed in WHED, and will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Additional testing/interviewing may be used as a form of screening. Initial appointment is subject to satisfactory professional references.

Additional background checks may be required.