Consultant
Result of Service The United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI) is a United Nations entity established in 1968 to support countries worldwide in preventing crime and facilitating criminal justice. UNICRI is mandated to assist intergovernmental, governmental, and non-governmental organizations in formulating and implementing improved policies in the field of crime prevention and criminal justice. UNICRI' s goals are:
- to advance understanding of crime-related problems;
- to foster just and efficient criminal justice systems;
- to support the respect of international instruments and other standards;
- to facilitate international law enforcement cooperation and judicial assistance.
UNICRI has been cooperating with the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) for the past several years, conducting studies and case law analysis in view of improving the understanding of the multifaceted environment surrounding infringements of Intellectual Property (IP) rights. This includes the involvement of transnational organized crime in managing the production and trade of IP infringing goods as well as the various ways in which violations of IP can occur. By way of example, some of the results of this cooperation over the years include: the publication of a study focused on the use of malware in IP infringing websites, the creation of 20 case studies used for training of judges and prosecutors, and the publication of a study analysing legal measures applicable by way of judicial cooperation in online copyright infringement cases.
The Consultant will draft a study dedicated to presenting the impact for Intellectual Property enforcement and infringement that will be created by the advent of new technologies, such as the Metaverse and decentralized web. The study shall cover all types of Intellectual Property and highlight key investigative challenges and opportunities for law enforcers.
Work Location Home based
Expected duration 57 working days within the period from July to December 2023
Duties and Responsibilities Under the supervision of the Programme Officer, the Consultant will perform the following duties: - Define research tools and methodology, conduct research, contribute to draft research plans; - Conduct interviews with experts to gather information and data; - Identify and describe in the Metaverse report the different relevant technologies considered by the study and indicate the possible variations in their future development; - Analyse the potential general impact of the Metaverse and decentralised web for IP enforcement and infringement, with additional reference to related to societal, economic, sociological, criminological, psychological, ethical, and environmental implications; - Analyse how these technologies can be misused as a tool in IP infringement and IP crime. The analysis should include the different threats to IP potentially posed by the Metaverse and the decentralised web and cover all types of intellectual property, including copyright and related rights as well as industrial rights (e.g. trade marks, designs, patents, plant variety rights and geographical indications) and trade secrets. - Analyse enforcement challenges and opportunities related to these technologies. The analysis should include relevant enforcement issues, including jurisdiction, criminal investigations, evidential issues, training and capacity building. - Create of case scenarios and apply them to the sections of the report related to the use of the technologies as tools for IP enforcement and infringement as well as to the section on law enforcement challenges, with a view to extrapolate guidelines for law enforcement on these issues; - Perform other job-related duties upon request.
Qualifications/special skills An advanced university degree (Master or equivalent) in law, criminal law, international law, criminology, criminal justice, social sciences, computer science or other related areas is required. At least 7 years of relevant working experience as an academic, researcher, and/or practitioner in one or several of the following areas: Intellectual Property crimes committed in the cyberspace, information security, cybercrimes related to IP infringements, cyber forensics and cybersecurity in particular when related to IP enforcement/infringement, is required. Previous experience in creating investigative guides on IP violations requiring cyber-investigations is highly desirable. Previous relevant working experience with the United Nations or other international or regional organizations is desirable.
Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English (i.e. oral and written proficiency) is required.
No Fee THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.