Associate Classifications Officer

Overview

Support the implementation of WIPO's technical program in the classifications.

You have:

• First-level university degree in law, economics, international relations, science, engineering, business, commerce, linguistic or other related field.
• Studies related to intellectual property.
• At least three years of professional experience in the use of Trademark or Industrial Design classification systems.
• Experience in interacting with relevant technical counterparts in Trademark and Industrial design.
• Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English.
• Good knowledge of another UN language particularly in French and/or Spanish.
• Knowledge of at least one of the relevant Classifications and good knowledge of the other two.
• Good communication skills, both oral and written, and ability to work with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail, flexibility and initiative.
• Ability to analyze information and become familiar with technical subjects.
• Strong interpersonal and team working skills and ability to maintain effective partnerships in a multicultural environment.
• Competent user of Microsoft Office applications including Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint.
• Good time management and work organization skills.
• Familiarity with the procedures and functioning of the Committees of Experts and Working Groups of the relevant Unions.

Contract

This is a P-2 contract. This kind of contract is known as Professional and Director staff. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's a staff contract. It usually requires 2 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 107,711 USD and 146,298 USD.

Please keep in mind that the salary displayed here is an estimation by UN Talent based on the location and the type of contract. It may vary depending on the organization. The recruiter should be able to inform you about the exact salary range. In case the job description contains another salary information, please refer to this one.

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 Mark and Design Classifications Section of the International Classifications and Standards Division. This Division is responsible for the establishment, maintenance and dynamic updating of international classifications and standards to bridge the gaps between IP offices working in different systems and languages and to enable efficient data flow. The four international classification systems that facilitate and simplify IP searches, organizing information concerning inventions, trademarks, and industrial designs into indexed, manageable structures for easy retrieval are: the International Patent Classification (IPC), the Nice Classification (for marks), the Vienna Classification (for figurative elements of marks), and the Locarno Classification (for industrial designs). The Section is responsible for the Nice Classification, the Vienna Classification, and the Locarno Classification.

b. Purpose Statement

The main role of the incumbent is to support the Section in the implementation of WIPO's technical program in the fields of the Nice, Vienna and Locarno Classifications (hereafter "the relevant Classifications"), and to provide IP technical expertise to develop and maintain the data relating to the revision of the relevant Classifications.

c. Reporting Lines

The incumbent works under the supervision of the Head of the Mark and Design Classifications Section.

d. Work Relations

The incumbent works with relevant work units inside the Organization in particular in the field of Trademarks and Industrial design, and IP Offices of Member States.

2. Duties and Responsibilities

The incumbent will perform the following principal duties:

a. Carry out technical research for discussions related to the revision of the relevant Classifications, assist in providing substantive input on classifications to the proposals and working documents for committees and other bodies; review the content of such documents including consistency across languages; compile information on the Section’s activities for reporting purposes.

b. Contribute to the technical content and the organization of the meetings of the relevant bodies, including the preparation of the official working documents; provide secretariat services, provide substantive input on classifications for meetings of the Committees of Experts, and their Working Groups, e-Forum discussions of the Nice, Vienna and Locarno Unions (hereafter "the relevant Unions"), in particular implement the decisions related to the revision of the respective Classifications, assist in the preparation of proposals and other documentation for consideration, and assist in drafting reports.

c. Evaluate requests and reply to detailed queries on classification practices and its interpretation from IP offices of Member States and applicants, providing information on relevant Classifications-related matters; provide training and authoritative advice to trademark and design examiners.

d. Manage the information published on the relevant Classifications; propose updates and improvements in design, content and layout of the Section’s web pages.

e. Manage the e-Forum system and other online tools and services of the Section, in conformity with standards and established procedures, and assist external users in using these tools.

f. Provide input for the evaluation of different requests, internal, external activities and proposals, participating in the design and implementation of changes, development, maintenance of the related systems built upon the relevant Classifications.

g. Update and translate training material and presentations relating to the relevant Classifications.

h. Make written and oral presentations and provide advice on matters relating to Classifications as part of meetings, seminars, training courses and exhibitions convened by Member States and other stakeholders on questions related to the relevant Classifications.

i. Perform other related duties as required.

3. Requirements

Education (Essential)

First-level university degree in law, economics, international relations, science, engineering, business, commerce, linguistic or other related field.

Studies (e.g. training, courses, certificate) related to intellectual property.

Experience (Essential)

At least three years of professional experience in the use of Trademark or Industrial Design classification systems.

Experience in interacting with relevant technical counterparts in Trademark and Industrial design.

Experience (Desirable)

Experience in participating in meetings on IP at international level.

Language (Essential)

Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English.

Language (Desirable)

Good knowledge of another UN language particularly in French and/or Spanish.

Job Related Competencies (Essential)

Knowledge of at least one of the relevant Classifications and good knowledge of the other two.

Ability to work within the rules, regulations and procedures governing the area of work.

Good communication skills, both oral and written, and ability to work with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail, flexibility and initiative.

Ability to analyze information, including the ability to become familiar with and understand technical subjects, and to apply new knowledge.

Strong interpersonal and team working 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; ability to adapt quickly to new software.

Good time management and work organization skills.

Job Related Competencies (Desirable)

Familiarity with the procedures and functioning of the Committees of Experts and Working Groups of the relevant Unions.

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 January 2025 rate of 67.6%

P2

Annual salary

$50,377

Post adjustment

$34,055

Total Salary

$84,432

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.

Potential interview questions