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

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).

b. Purpose Statement

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.

c. Reporting Lines

The incumbent works under the supervision of the Legal Counsellor leading and coordinating the Division’s legislative and treaty advice.

d. Work Relations

The incumbent works closely with other professionals in CCIS, primarily from the Copyright Law Division and the Copyright Management Division, as well as the Department for Development Coordination, Regional and National Development Sector.

2. Duties and Responsibilities

The incumbent will perform the following principal duties:

a. 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.

b. Conduct research and analytical studies on the legislative and policy needs of countries, and regional groups, in the field of copyright and related rights.

c. 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.

d. Monitor policy developments and undertake legal research on selected topics in copyright and related rights law.

e. Maintain working relationships with national copyright offices and representatives of Member States, as well as with copyright and related rights stakeholders.

f. 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.

g. 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.

h. Prepare briefing notes, internal reports and other administrative documents for the Division.

i. Support the normative work of the SCCR and perform other related duties as requested.

3. Requirements

Education (Essential)

First-level university degree in law.

Education (Desirable)

Advanced university degree in law.
Specialization in intellectual property law, including studies in copyright and related rights.

Experience (Essential)

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.

Experience (Desirable)

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.

Language (Essential)

Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English and another UN language.

Language (Desirable)

Good written and spoken knowledge of a third UN language.

Job Related Competencies (Essential)

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.

Job Related Competencies (Desirable)

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.

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

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 May 2026 rate of 90.7%

P3

Annual salary

$64,121

Post adjustment

$58,158

Total Salary

$122,279

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

Temporary appointments are renewable, subject to continuing needs, availability of budget and satisfactory performance with a maximum cumulative length of two years.

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.