Legal Editor

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 PCT Legal Publication Unit, PCT User Resources Section, PCT Legal and User Relations Division, PCT Legal and International Affairs Department, Patents and Technology Sector. The PCT User Resources Section oversees, prepares and publishes Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) legal texts and related documents and creates and manages PCT reference data and information materials, which are heavily relied upon by all PCT stakeholders, including applicants, patent attorneys, Offices of PCT Contracting States, International Authorities, the International Bureau and the general public, and are of utmost importance for the proper functioning of the PCT system and WIPO’s internal and external-facing PCT IT systems. The PCT Legal Publication Unit is responsible for the maintenance and publication of PCT legal texts and related documents in all of their languages and for the publication of PCT Official Notices (PCT Gazette).

b.        Purpose Statement

The incumbent is primarily responsible for the drafting, editing and publication of the Official Notices (PCT Gazette) on a weekly basis, and for the review and verification of the accuracy and completeness of complex PCT legal and legal-related texts prior to their publication within specified deadlines in a technically accurate and logical manner and adapted for the use and needs of the target audiences.

c.        Reporting Lines

The incumbent works under the supervision of the Head, PCT Legal Publication Unit.

d.        Work Relations

The incumbent works in close collaboration with the other staff of the PCT Legal Publication Unit and the PCT User Resources Section, as well as staff of the PCT Legal and User Relations Division and the PCT Legal and International Affairs Department. The incumbent is required to frequently communicate with PCT Contracting States and Offices concerning their notifications to the International Bureau.

2.     Duties and Responsibilities

The incumbent will perform the following principal duties:

a.  Manage the receipt, docketing, analysis and processing of correspondences and notifications to the International Bureau from PCT Contracting States and Offices and Authorities in accordance with various provisions of the PCT Treaty, Regulations, and Administrative Instructions, with a view to ensuring the timely and proper publication of the notified information in the Official Notices in compliance with the applicable PCT provisions;

b.  Draft, edit, revise and finalize items and texts for publication in the weekly Official Notices, in the languages of both English and French;

c.  Manage the drafting, review and approval process for the contents of the Official Notices in both English and French; communicate with Offices of Contracting States and International Authorities to provide advice and/or seek clarifications in relation to the notified information, when necessary; oversee the publication of the Official Notices on WIPO’s website in various means; assist the Head of the Unit distributing the published Official Notices to relevant colleagues;

d.  Research and propose measures for improving the presentation and publication of contents in the Official Notices;

e.  Review, proofread and further edit PCT legal and legal-related texts as previously prepared, edited and updated within the Unit to ensure accuracy, clarity, cohesion and conformity with editorial standards and the Organization’s policies and practices, particularly the Patent Cooperation Treaty, Regulations under the PCT, PCT Administrative Instructions, PCT Receiving Office Guidelines and PCT International Search and Preliminary Examination Guidelines, in the languages of both English and French;

f.   Oversee the preparation, consultation, editing and publication of the above PCT legal and legal-related texts in all other languages in which they exist; verify consistency between the versions in different languages;

g.  Edit other legal-related texts relating to the PCT in English and French; contribute to the preparation and provision of PCT information materials managed by the Section;

h.  Respond to internal queries on editorial practice and contribute to the establishment of editorial procedures and guidelines;

i.   Assist the Head of the Unit in performing any general tasks under the responsibility of the PCT Legal Publication Unit; prepare quarterly reports on the work of the Section;

j.   Keep abreast of best practices and developments, and propose improvements including on the overall publication of the Official Notices, and identify ways to streamline processes;

k.  Foster a culture of providing high quality customer-focused services with the target audience in mind; and

l.   Perform other related duties as required.

3.     Requirements

Education (Essential)

First-level university degree in law, science, engineering, or a related discipline, preferably in intellectual property law.

Experience (Essential)

At least six years of relevant experience, including experience with the PCT system, in a company, law firm, IP Office or intergovernmental organization.

Experience in drafting, editing and proofreading legal or legal-related texts.

Experience (Desirable)

Experience in drafting, editing and proofreading legal or legal-related texts in the field of PCT.

Language (Essential)

Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English and good knowledge of French.

Language (Desirable)

Knowledge of other PCT languages.

Job Related Competencies (Essential)

Excellent knowledge of procedures under the PCT.

Excellent legal drafting, editing, and proofreading skills.

Excellent time management and work organization skills.

Ability to work accurately within strict time limits and to respect deadlines.

Meticulous attention to detail.

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

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.

Strong client orientation.

Job Related Competencies (Desirable)

Excellent understanding of the policies and procedures applicable to the work of the Section