Senior Legal Officer

Job Description

Position title: Senior Legal Officer Level (Grade): P.4 CCOG: 1171, Duty Station: Geneva Date for entry on duty: As soon as possible after closing date Duration of appointment: Two years **Organizational unit**: WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center Sector of the PCT and Patents, Arbitration and Mediation Center, and Global Intellectual Property Issues **Principal duties** The WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center is a resource center for the resolution of intellectual property disputes between private parties through methods other than court litigation. The Center’s areas of activity are covered by three Sections: the Domain Name Dispute Resolution Section; the Information and External Relations Section; and the Legal Development Section. Under the supervision of the Head of the Domain Name Dispute Resolution Section, the incumbent assists in the legal and organizational work of the Center. The incumbent has, in particular, the following duties: (a) supervising the administration of domain name cases by Center case managers and updating guidelines for this purpose; (b) managing the roster of WIPO panelists with a view to the Center’s appointment of neutrals under a variety of domain name dispute resolution policies; (c) reviewing decisions for the Center’s online legal Index of Decisions; (d) managing and developing relations with users of the Center’s domain name services and with relevant organizations in the domain name area, including registrars; (e) contributing to WIPO domain name dispute resolution workshops and WIPO panelists meetings; (f) developing and implementing domain name dispute resolution policies for registry authorities and operators; (g) undertaking legal research and drafting publications in the area of domain name dispute resolution; (h) performing other related duties as required. This vacancy is open to applicants of either sex. Applications from qualified women candidates are encouraged. The conditions governing employment are defined in the Staff Regulations and Staff Rules of WIPO. They follow generally those of the United Nations common system, and include tax-free salary and allowances, five-day week, annual leave of 30 working days, participation in pension scheme and medical benefit scheme. WIPO staff members may be assigned to any activity or office of the Organization. **Qualifications required** (a) University degree in law, preferably with specialization in international commercial arbitration and/or intellectual property. (b) At least nine years of professional experience, preferably in intellectual property law or alternative dispute resolution in a law firm or in an administering institution. (c) Thorough understanding of the policies and procedures that apply to domain name dispute resolution and of developments in the domain name system. (d) An understanding of the use of information technology in the context of dispute resolution processes. (e) Outstanding organization, communication and drafting skills. (f) Excellent knowledge of English and working knowledge of French; ability to work in additional languages desirable. Nationality: other qualifications being equal, preference is given to candidates who are nationals of one of the Member States of WIPO and the candidates from regions of the world from which the number of WIPO staff is insufficient. Age limit: less than age 55 at the date on which the appointment takes effect. Medical examination: initial appointment is subject to a satisfactory medical examination. The position is graded at level P.4 and carries at that level net base salary per annum from US$ 66,401 to US$ 86,625 (with dependants) or from US$ 61,834 to US$ 80,127 (without dependants). Appointments from outside the United Nations common system are normally at step 1 of the grade. Salary increments are subject to satisfactory service. Post adjustment, which is subject to change without notice, on initial salary step is, per annum: US$ 45,555 (with dependants) or US$ 42,418 (without dependants). Salaries and allowances are paid in Swiss francs at the official rate of exchange of the United Nations. The Organization reserves the right to make an appointment at a grade lower than that advertised. Applications: If you wish to apply, you can download the application form . If you do not have Internet access, you should write to the Engagements Section for an application form. Before submitting an application form, please read carefully the . A separate copy of the application form should be submitted for each competition. **In all correspondence, please quote the vacancy announcement number**, indicated above. Application forms, duly completed and accompanied by a signed passport-size photograph, must reach WIPO by the closing date, as indicated above. Please address your application to: Engagements Section WIPO, 34, chemin des Colombettes 1211 Geneva 20, Switzerland Tel.: + Fax: + e-mail: