Associate Legal Officer

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.

1. Organizational Context

a. Organizational Setting

Coordinating with other vertical and horizontal WIPO sectors, the IP and Innovation Ecosystems Sector (IES) is responsible for helping Member States develop their IP and innovation ecosystems to drive enterprise and economic growth. IES is also responsible for providing support for researchers and innovators, as well as enterprises, including SMEs, in IP commercialization and otherwise using IP for business growth; issues relating to the emergence of IP as an asset class; and the development of advisory expertise in these and related areas, for example, in national IP strategies.
Within IES, the position is located in the Internet Dispute Resolution Section of the WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center, which is a resource center for the resolution of IP disputes between private parties through alternative dispute resolution (ADR) methods. The Center's areas of activity are covered by the Internet Dispute Resolution Section, the External Relations and Planning Section, the IP Disputes Section, and the Business Development and Digital Content Disputes Section. The Internet Dispute Resolution Section is responsible for the administration of disputes filed under different policies such as the Uniform Domian Name Dispute Resolution Policy (UDRP) for which it is the global leader, and various related aspects of the Internet Domain Name System (DNS), as well as selected policy developments and services as they relate to Internet dispute resolution.

b. Purpose Statement

The purpose of the role is to support the resolution of global Internet domain name disputes by reviewing panel decisions for legal and jurisprudential consistency, coordinating case administration, and contributing to WIPO's leadership in digital IP protection.

c. Reporting Lines

The incumbent works under the supervision of the Internet Dispute Resolution Section’s Senior Legal Officer.

d. Work Relations

The incumbent works, where appropriate, with colleagues within the IP and Innovation Ecosystems Sector and other Sectors. The incumbent will also, where required, work with external partners, including national authorities and IP-related organizations. The incumbent liaises regularly and extensively with the Supervisory Team as well as with the Legal Case Managers. Externally, the incumbent liaises with WIPO Domain Name Panelists, domain name registrars, and case filing parties.

2. Duties and Responsibilities

The incumbent will perform the following principal duties:

a. Provide input for the development and implementation of Internet dispute resolution policies.

b. Assign work to and review the work of Legal Case Managers (Fellows). Provide guidance on issues arising in the management of cases. Continuously explore the potential role of IT in the administration of legal cases.

c. Review decisions with a view to providing input to Senior Legal Officers for the purpose of inclusion in WIPO's publicly available case-related legal resources such as the WIPO Overview. Understand the potential role of IT (in particular AI) in changing the way legal work-products are reviewed.

d. Evaluate cases and make proposals to Senior Legal Officers on the selection of WIPO panelists based on case requirements.

e. Maintain relations with and provide information to users, relevant organizations and registrars on Internet dispute resolution and operational matters.

f. Represent the Organization at national and international meetings, participate in seminars, workshops and training courses, and deliver training and presentations on Internet dispute resolution matters.

g. Keep abreast of legal and technical developments and undertake legal research on Internet dispute resolution with a view to maintaining and developing WIPO's role in this area.

h. As applicable, promote and contribute to the growing use of WIPO Global IP Services.

i. Perform other related duties as required.

3. Requirements

Education (Essential)

First-level university degree in law or another relevant discipline.

Education (Desirable)

Advanced university degree in law.

Experience (Essential)

At least three years of relevant professional experience including in intellectual property law or alternative dispute resolution in a law firm and/or department or agency.

Language (Essential)

Excellent written and spoken knowledge of English

Language (Desirable)

Knowledge of other UN official languages.

Job Related Competencies (Essential)

Knowledge of and ability to work within the policies and procedures applicable to the activities of the work unit.
Understanding of the use of information technology in the context of dispute resolution processes.
Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
Excellent time management and work organization skills.
Excellent written and oral communication skills.
Highly adaptable to new environments, tasks, and demands.
Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to maintain effective partnerships and working relations in a multicultural environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
Proficiency in digital tools, AI-enabled applications, and online collaboration platforms. Competent user of databases. Commitment to continuous learning and the adoption of emerging technologies.

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 June 2026 rate of 86.8%

P2

Annual salary

$50,377

Post adjustment

$43,727

Total Salary

$94,104

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 period of two years, renewable, subject to satisfactory performance. No fixed-term appointment or any extension hereof shall carry with it any expectancy of, nor imply any right to, (further) extensions or conversion to a permanent appointment.

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.