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, within the Copyright and Creative Industries Sector. This 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, including the adherence to and implementation of the Organization’s copyright and related rights treaties at the national level, and for providing assistance to Member States in drafting and updating their national legislation in the field of copyright and related rights. 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 coordinate the work of the Division in providing authoritative advice and legislative, regulatory and policy assistance to Member States with a focus on areas related to the implementation of the Organization’s copyright and related rights treaties. Under the guidance of the Director of the Copyright Law Division, the incumbent supervises and reviews the work of lawyers who provide legislative, regulatory and policy assistance to Member States in the design and implementation of balanced legislative, regulatory and policy frameworks in the area of copyright and related rights. The incumbent also coordinates the lawyers working with Member States to adhere to and implement WIPO copyright and related rights treaties. The incumbent contributes to the related substantive work of the Secretariat, including providing copyright legal, regulatory and policy advice as part of cross-sectoral teams within the Organization.
c. Reporting Lines
The incumbent works under the supervision of the Director of the Copyright Law Division.
d. Work Relations
The incumbent works closely with other professionals in CCIS, primarily from the Copyright Law Division, as well as the Copyright Management Division and the Copyright Development Division. The incumbent also collaborates frequently with other colleagues who provide legislative, regulatory and policy advice and assistance within the Organization.
2. Duties and Responsibilities
The incumbent will perform the following principal duties:
a. Draft or comment on, and provide legal opinions and advice to Member States with respect to legal texts, draft bills, draft rules and regulations, policy documents, and other documents as requested by interested countries on copyright and related rights, or other related areas of the law. This includes providing assistance in adhering to and implementing WIPO copyright and related rights treaties at the national level.
b. Undertake and supervise fundamental research and analysis of the needs of countries, or groups of countries, on copyright and related rights, or other related areas of the law as requested.
c. Develop and lead studies or other projects, as requested, related to strategies in new areas of the law related to copyright and related rights.
d. Draft and provide input to guides, legal opinions, publications and other documents pertaining to the functions and activities of the Division or the Sector.
e. Supervise and guide more junior staff and external consultants, as requested, in producing high quality and timely legislative, regulatory, and policy advice for Member States.
f. Maintain contacts with authorities of countries or groups of countries in all regions as well as with the United Nations agencies and other partner institutions with respect to legislative and regulatory advice activities.
g. Coordinate activity, as appropriate, with other WIPO Sectors involved in providing legislative and regulatory advice to Member States.
h. Coordinate and participate in internal and external training and awareness-raising activities,
seminars and workshops; this includes organizing those meetings and delivering training and
presentations.
i. Coordinate and participate in training activities and meetings organized internally or by Member States, intergovernmental organizations and non-governmental organizations; this includes provision of legislative and policy advice and assistance with respect to the law of copyright and related rights.
j. Prepare work plans, reports, evaluations, and other administrative documents.
k. Perform other related duties, as required and assigned.
3. Requirements
Education
Essential
Advanced university degree in law. A first-level university degree in law or related disciplines that would quality the incumbent to practice law at the national level, plus two years of relevant experience in addition to the years of experience requested below may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Desirable
Postgraduate specialization in intellectual property law including copyright and related rights.
Experience
Essential
At least seven years of relevant professional legal experience including in the field of intellectual property in the public or private sector, with specific experience in the field of copyright and related rights.
Experience in drafting legislative, regulatory and policy advice in the area of intellectual property.
Desirable
Experience with the copyright and related rights legal systems in developing countries.
Experience in drafting legislative, regulatory and policy advice in the area of copyright and related rights.
Experience in a multilateral intergovernmental organization providing legislative, regulatory and policy advice related to international normative instruments.
Project management training and experience.
Languages
Essential
Excellent written and spoken knowledge of English and one other official United Nations language,