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 External Relations Section, the IP Disputes Section, the Business Development and Digital Copyright and Content Disputes Section, and the Internet Dispute Resolution Section. The Internet Dispute Resolution Section is responsible for the administration of domain name disputes filed under different policies and various related aspects of the Internet Domain Name System (DNS), as well as selected policy developments as they relate to Internet dispute resolution.
b. Purpose Statement
As Legal Officer, the incumbent contributes to the legal and organizational work of the Section by contributing to the planning and supervision of the administration of Internet dispute resolution proceedings.
c. Reporting Lines
The incumbent works under the supervision of the Internet Dispute Resolution Section's Senior Legal Officers.
d. Work Relations
Internally, s/he liaises extensively with the Section's Supervisory Team as well as with the Legal Case Managers, and key internal stakeholders such as the Office of the Legal Counsel (OLC). Externally, s/he liaises with WIPO Domain Name Panelists, and ccTLD registries and Member States stakeholders.
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 supervise the work of Legal Case Managers. Provide guidance on issues arising in the management of cases.
c. Review decisions with a view to providing input to the Section's Senior Legal Officers for the purpose of inclusion in WIPO’s publicly available case-related resources.
d. Make proposals to the Section's 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 developments and undertake legal research on Internet dispute resolution with a view to maintaining and developing WIPO's role in this area.
h. Assist the work of the WIPO ccTLD Program, which includes developing and managing relations with national and regional ccTLD registries and stakeholders, providing advice and conducting negotiations in connection with ccTLD policies and rights protection mechanisms, drafting legal instruments, notably international best-practice rights protection mechanisms for national domains, and overseeing updating of WIPO Center's legal resources under its ccTLD Program.
i. Perform other related duties as required.
3. Requirements
Education (Essential)
First-level university degree in law.
Education (Desirable)
Advanced university degree in law.
Experience (Essential)
At least six 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)
Ability to work in additional WIPO 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.
Competent user of databases, applications including Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint and the Internet, and ability to work with and to adapt quickly to new software.
4. Organizational Competencies
1. Communicating effectively.
2. Showing team spirit.
3.