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 Office of the Legal Counsel (OLC). OLC is responsible for providing legal advice and assistance to the Director General, to the bodies of WIPO Member States and to the Secretariat on constitutional, administrative, contractual, and general legal matters and in respect of the depository functions of WIPO-administered treaties, in harmony with statutory requirements and applicable law.
b. Purpose Statement
The main role of the incumbent is to advise and act on legal aspects of human resources and administrative matters.
c. Reporting Lines
The incumbent works under the supervision of the Head, Administrative Law Section.
d. Work Relations
The incumbent collaborates with a wide range of internal stakeholders in relevant divisions within WIPO and occasionally with external stakeholders for the delivery of the work as appropriate.
2. Duties and Responsibilities
The incumbent will perform the following principal duties:
a. Represent the Organization before the WIPO Appeal Board and the ILO Administrative Tribunal; prepare and review pleadings and other necessary documents submitted to these bodies.
b. Review work-related grievances, rebuttals of performance appraisals, requests for review of administrative decisions and disciplinary cases in accordance with established procedures; advise on the decision to be made and draft the proposed response for the Director General.
c. Assist in the resolution of legal questions relating to the interpretation and application of the Staff Regulations and Rules and to disputes as to their application.
d. Provide advice on the legal acceptability of proposed actions and remedies for actions relating to personnel already taken with or without financial implications for the Organization.
e. Contribute to the resolution of issues from a policy and legal angle as they relate to talent management, creating and upgrading HR practices and policies, working closely with end users and in close collaboration with the Talent Service colleagues who provide the specialized HR expertise.
f. Review new or existing policies related to Talent Management, to ensure alignment with Organizational needs, and to promote stronger people-orientation and HR best practice beyond the UN system, including benchmark organizations.
g. Remain abreast of latest trends in HR and relevant developments in HR policy issues that could have an impact on the Organization.
h. Perform other related duties as requested.
3. Requirements
Education (Essential)
Advanced university degree in law. A first-level university degree plus an additional two years of professional experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Education (Desirable)
Specialization in administrative law.
Experience (Essential)
At least seven years of relevant legal experience gained in an intergovernmental organization or national administration or by working for a law firm of which a minimum of four years must be in, or related to, administrative law.
At least four years of experience in litigation gained at the domestic or international level.
Experience in the application and interpretation of the staff regulations and rules of intergovernmental organizations or of comparable administrative legislation.
Experience providing legal and policy advice.
Experience (Desirable)
Admission to the Bar in a national jurisdiction.
Experience of working in a UN common system organization.
Language (Essential)
Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English and good knowledge of French.
Language (Desirable)
Knowledge of other UN official languages.
Job Related Competencies (Essential)
Sound knowledge of applicable legal principles of international administrative law.
Strong conflict resolution and negotiation skills.
Ability to formulate legal opinions on complex questions and draft complex legal texts.
Ability to conduct comprehensive legal research independently.
Ability to communicate complex legal subject matters to a diverse audience.
Good knowledge of HR policies on talent attraction and management, both in the private sector and the UN system.
Ability to think critically, with a flexible and open-minded approach to problem solving, bearing in mind the needs of the end user.
Excellent organizational skills with the ability to work under pressure and to respect deadlines.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and ability to maintain effective partnerships and working relations in a multicultural environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
Competent user of Microsoft Office applications including Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint and social media, and the ability to adapt quickly to new technology.
Job Related Competencies (Desirable)
Knowledge of case law, practices and procedures applicable to UN common system organizations.
4. Organizational Competencies
1. Communicating effectively.
2. Showing team spirit.