Title of Assignment: Legal Consultant
Name of unit/sector: Legal and Constitutional Affairs Section, Office of the Legal Counsel
Place of Assignment: WIPO Headquarters, Geneva, Switzerland
Expected duration of assignment:ย September 1, 2025, to August 31, 2026 (12 months) with possibility of extension
1. Objective of the assignment
The Office of the Legal Counsel (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, consistent with statutory requirements, applicable law and general legal principles. ย In the provision of its services to internal and external stakeholders, OLC protects, develops and advances the international legal and regulatory framework in which WIPO operates, and contributes to promoting the rule of law and to maintaining an enabling environment to assist WIPO in delivering state-of-the-art services.
OLC also applies its legal expertise externally to lead and/or engage in legal diplomacy to advocate WIPOโs position on matters of wider significance, including with respect to issues pertaining to the United Nations common system and the law of international organizations more generally, as well as to contribute to a robust development of international law.
The Legal Consultant will provide support and legal advice regarding constitutional, treaty, procedural, and general legal matters in relation to the specific workplan activities of the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Section, as set forth below.ย
2. Deliverables/services
a) Assist with the preparation of relevant documentation for the nomination and electoral process of the Director General in 2025, and conduct research regarding all aspects of the process.
b) Assist with tasks related to the discharge of depositary functions and treaty actions following the successful conclusion of two new WIPO treaties.
c) Assist with the preparation of depositary notifications, including of accessions to or denunciations of WIPO-administered treaties.ย
d) Assist with the provision of advice on procedural aspects of depositary practice.ย
e) Assist with the maintenance of official records of contracting parties and signatories to treaties, as well as members of WIPO Assemblies and other bodies.ย
f) Assist with the processing of requests by IGOs and NGOs for observer status at WIPO, and the preparation of relevant information for Member States to take decisions on their admission as such.ย
g) Assist with the provision of support to other sectors in the execution of their secretariat duties for meetings of WIPO governing bodies, standing and other committees.
h) Perform other related duties as requested.
3. Reporting
The Legal Consultant will report to the Head of the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Section, and the Deputy Legal Counsel, Office of the Legal Counsel.
4. Profile
Education: University degree in law, preferably with a specialization in public international law.
Experience: Professional experience advising in the area of public international law, treaty law, and/or the law of international organizations.
Knowledge: knowledge of the legal issues related to the governance and constitutional/treaty basis of international organizations.ย
Skills:
- Excellent communication and legal drafting skills (essential).
- Excellent analytical skills (essential).
- Ability to conduct comprehensive legal research independently (essential).
- Excellent organizational skills with the ability to work under pressure and to respect deadlines (essential).
- Interpersonal skills with the ability to work well in a multicultural team (essential).
- Ability to work on sensitive and complex with discretion, tact and diplomacy.
Languages: ย Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English and a good knowledge of French.
Competencies:
1) Communicating effectively.
2) Showing team spirit.
3) Producing results.
4) Showing service orientation.
5) Demonstrating integrity.
5. Duration of contract and payment
From September 1, 2025, to August 31, 2026 (full-time), with a possibility of extension based on the Legal Consultantโs performance and the availability of funding.ย
Applicants are requested to provide an indication of their remuneration expectations of a daily rate in either Swiss francs, Euros, British Pounds, or USD.ย
Payment will be made on a monthly basis, upon submission of satisfactory progress reports and approval by the supervisor.
6. Additional informationย
ICS contractors fall outside the coverage of employment contracts for WIPO Staff members and are not subject to the WIPO Staff Regulations and Rules. The contractor has no entitlement to vacation or sick leave, except for WIPO official holidays, or to medical insurance or staff pension. Absences from work will be deducted from the contractorโs payment on a pro-rated basis.ย