Building Respect for Intellectual Property Legal Fellowship

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.

The deadline for applications has been extended until March 13, 2024.

1. Organizational Context

The Fellowship is hosted by the Building Respect for IP (BRIP) Division, Global Challenges and Partnerships Sector. Within the context of Expected Result 2.3 of WIPO’s Medium-Term Strategic Plan 2022-2026 (“International dialogue and cooperation on Building Respect for IP”) and guided by Recommendation 45 of the WIPO Development Agenda, the BRIP Division is responsible for fostering international cooperation among Member States and other stakeholders to build respect for intellectual property (IP) and to enforce IP rights in the interest of socio‑economic development and consumer protection. With this aim, the BRIP Division, inter alia, facilitates international policy dialogue on building respect for IP, including in cooperation with other relevant international organizations, and provides technical assistance to Member States in the areas of legislation, training and awareness raising.

2. Duties and Responsibilities

The Fellow will perform the following principal duties:

a) Coordinating, with the guidance of senior colleagues, the substantive preparation and implementation of the activities foreseen under the yearly work plans of the Funds-in-Trust for Building Respect for Copyright and Related Rights between the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of the Republic of Korea and WIPO (FIT RoK/BRIP), including liaising with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of the Republic of Korea and relevant WIPO colleagues.

b) Upon request, assisting in the substantive and administrative services provided by the WIPO Secretariat to the WIPO Advisory Committee on Enforcement (ACE) and related briefings and consultations, in particular by preparing initial drafts of internal working documents; contributing to revising, analyzing and editing external working documents and assisting with the coordination and review of commissioned studies and presentations;

c) Upon request, preparing for and/or representing WIPO in conferences and meetings organized by WIPO Member States, Observers and other international organizations at the appropriate level and delivering presentations on topical issues in the areas of IP enforcement and building respect for IP;

d) Upon request, assisting in the planning and implementation of WIPO training programs, cooperation activities and conferences on IP enforcement and building respect for IP, including through the preparation of draft programs and draft reports on these activities;

e) Upon request, assisting in the Division’s technical assistance to WIPO Member States in the field of IP enforcement, by analyzing Member States’ existing or draft laws, including their civil and criminal procedures and remedies, and preparing initial draft comments in response to requests by WIPO Member States for advice as to how to revise or draft their laws;

f) Undertaking legal research related to building respect for IP and IP enforcement and preparing drafts of materials to be published by the Division, including papers and newsletters;

g) Performing other related duties as required, including contributing to the preparation of internal WIPO reports and other administrative documents in English for the Division.

3. Requirements

Education:

Essential:

University degree in law, international affairs, political science or a related subject.

Desirable:

Specialization in intellectual property law.

Experience:

Essential:

At least six months of relevant professional legal experience in the public or private sector.

Knowledge of intellectual property (IP) law.

Desirable:

Practical experience with the enforcement of intellectual property rights.

Experience conducting legal research in the field of intellectual property.

Understanding of copyright in the digital environment.

Languages:

Essential:

Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English.

Excellent knowledge of written and spoken Korean.

Desirable:

Good knowledge of another UN language.

Knowledge, skills and competencies:

Essential:

Ability to design and conduct research and analyze defined aspects of legal issues.

Ability to analyze legal questions, and draft legal texts, presenting information clearly and logically in English in written and oral form.

Ability to organize and coordinate projects or aspects of projects in order to work toward defined results.

Ability to establish priorities for oneself and others and to work quickly and accurately under pressure in order to meet strict deadlines.

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and ability to maintain effective partnerships and working relations in a multi-cultural environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.

Competent user of Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) and the Internet as well as the ability to adapt to new technologies quickly.

Desirable:

Knowledge of international IP law.

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. Terms and Conditions

a) Term of fellowship: A fellowship may be granted for a period of up to 12 months. The fellowship

contract may be extended one or more times, provided that the maximum cumulative length of the fellowship will not exceed a period of three years.

b) Anticipated start date: July 1, 2024

c) Location: WIPO Headquarters, Geneva, Switzerland.

d) Stipend: Swiss francs 5,000 per month.

e) If necessary, WIPO may provide assistance in obtaining an entry visa to Switzerland.

f) WIPO provides medical and accident insurance coverage during the course of the fellowship.

g) WIPO will request a carte de légitimation for the Fellow, which serves as a residence and work permit, from the Permanent Mission of Switzerland to the United Nations Office and to the other international organizations in Geneva. Family members of the Fellow are not eligible for a carte de legitimation.

h) Tax and social security: Fellows shall be solely responsible for meeting any taxation and social security obligations that may arise directly or indirectly from their contract with WIPO.

6. Additional Information

The Fellowship will take place in Geneva, Switzerland and it cannot be carried out remotely.

Fellows are not staff members of WIPO and the position does not lead to any employment rights and entitlements beyond the terms of the fellowship.

7. How Do I Apply?

Candidates for a Legal Fellowship with BRIP in 2024 should ensure that their completed applications and letters of motivation are submitted through WIPO’s electronic recruitment system by March 13, 2024 before 11:59:00 p.m. Geneva time.

Only those candidates who are shortlisted for a written test and an interview (via videoconference) will be contacted, in which case candidates will be required to provide a scanned copy of an identification or passport and the specified degree(s) / diploma(s) / certificate(s).

Please note that the fellowship is subject to satisfactory professional references.