Legal Counsellor

The Legal Counsellor coordinates the work of the Copyright Law Division in providing authoritative legal advice and legislative, regulatory, and policy assistance to Member States on copyright and related rights. The incumbent supervises lawyers, contributes to the Secretariat's substantive work, and supports the implementation of WIPO copyright treaties at the national level.

Responsibilities

• Draft or comment on, and provide legal opinions and advice to Member States with respect to legal texts, draft bills, draft rules and regulations, policy documents, and other documents as requested by interested countries on copyright and related rights, or other related areas of the law.
• Undertake and supervise fundamental research and analysis of the needs of countries, or groups of countries, on copyright and related rights, or other related areas of the law as requested.
• Develop and lead studies or other projects, as requested, related to strategies in new areas of the law related to copyright and related rights.
• Draft and provide input to guides, legal opinions, publications and other documents pertaining to the functions and activities of the Division or the Sector.
• Supervise and guide more junior staff and external consultants, as requested, in producing high quality and timely legislative, regulatory, and policy advice for Member States.
• Maintain contacts with authorities of countries or groups of countries in all regions as well as with the United Nations agencies and other partner institutions with respect to legislative, regulatory, and policy advice activities.
• Coordinate activity, as appropriate, with other WIPO Sectors involved in providing legislative, regulatory, and policy advice to Member States.
• Coordinate and participate in internal and external training and awareness-raising activities, seminars and workshops; this includes organizing those meetings and delivering training and presentations.
• Coordinate and participate in training activities and meetings organized internally or by Member States, intergovernmental organizations and non-governmental organizations; this includes provision of legislative, regulatory and policy advice and assistance with respect to the law of copyright and related rights.
• Prepare work plans, reports, evaluations, and other administrative documents.
• Perform other related duties, as required and assigned.

Requirements

• Advanced university degree in law. A first-level university degree in law or related disciplines that would qualify the incumbent to practice law at the national level, plus two years of relevant experience in addition to the years of experience requested below, may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
• Postgraduate specialization in intellectual property law including copyright and related rights (desirable).
• At least seven years of relevant professional legal experience including in the field of intellectual property in the public or private sector, with specific experience in the field of copyright and related rights.
• Experience in drafting legislative, regulatory and policy advice in the area of intellectual property.
• Experience with copyright and related rights legal systems in developing countries (desirable).
• Experience in a multilateral intergovernmental organization providing legislative, regulatory and policy advice related to international normative instruments (desirable).
• Experience in project management (desirable).
• Excellent written and spoken knowledge of English and one other official United Nations language.
• Good knowledge of another official United Nations language (desirable).
• Knowledge of project management methodology.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze legal questions and draft legal texts.
• Sound knowledge of applicable legal principles of copyright and related rights law and the WIPO copyright and related rights treaties.
• Ability to conduct research independently and present results in a clear and logical form.
• Strong team leadership skills.
• Excellent time management and work organization skills.
• Excellent project management skills or demonstrated commitment to gaining this expertise.
• 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.
• Proficiency in digital tools, AI-enabled applications, and online collaboration platforms.
• Commitment to continuous learning and the adoption of emerging technologies.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Excellent legislative drafting skills (desirable).

Skills

• Intellectual Property Law
• Copyright Law
• Legislative Drafting
• Regulatory Advice
• Policy Advice
• Legal Research
• Legal Analysis
• Project Management
• WIPO Treaties
• Legal Text Drafting
• Digital Tools Proficiency
• AI-enabled Applications
• Online Collaboration Platforms
• Team Leadership
• Time Management
• Work Organization

Languages

English, French