The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations. It is dedicated to developing a balanced and accessible international intellectual property (IP) system, which rewards creativity, stimulates innovation and contributes to economic development while safeguarding the public interest.
The law and practice of intellectual property is of increasing interest to indigenous peoples, stemming from concerns that indigenous cultural heritage and knowledge systems should be recognized and dealt with in conformity with the interests, values and customary practices of their custodians.
Call for Expressions of Interest
WIPO is currently seeking expressions of interest from suitably qualified individuals for the WIPO Indigenous Intellectual Property Law Fellowship.
The fellowship aims at building on a series of initiatives to ensure that indigenous peoples are actively and effectively involved in the work of WIPO on issues that matter to them. It recognizes, and seeks to foster, the strong legal expertise that exists within indigenous communities, and offers an opportunity both for a valuable professional opportunity and a practical role within the WIPO Secretariat on the program dealing most closely with issues of concern to indigenous peoples, including the WIPO Intergovernmental Committee on Intellectual Property and Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Folklore (the IGC) and related consultations and program activities.
Responsibilities
The Fellow will work in the Traditional Knowledge Division of WIPO and, in so doing:
- assist in the development of and in the organization of activities related to intellectual property and genetic resources, traditional knowledge and traditional cultural expressions;
- undertake research, drafting and the preparation of publications and other awareness raising materials;
- participate in the Secretariat of the IGC and related meetings;
- undertake outreach consultations and training activities focused on indigenous peoples;
- perform such other tasks as needed.
Eligibility Requirements
The Fellow is expected to meet the following requirements:
- A recognized and active member of an indigenous community;
- An established track record in advising on and researching legal issues relating to indigenous peoples and the law and practice of intellectual property;
- Legal qualifications, or equivalent in practical expertise and community work, preferably with specific components relating to intellectual property law or closely related areas of law;
- Ability to work effectively in English, and to work fluently in and prepare documents suitable for publication in at least one of the six UN languages (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian or Spanish);
- A record of publications (general awareness raising, formal legal analysis, or scholarly publications) and/or participation in community consultations and outreach would be an advantage;
- The Fellow will also be selected on the basis of demonstrated capacity to contribute directly to the approved program outputs established in the WIPO Program and Budget.
- The Fellow should be able to commence the Fellowship in Geneva in early February, 2012.
Fellowship Provisions
Term of fellowship: Nine months, non-renewable
Location: WIPO Headquarters, Geneva
Travel expenses and a monthly stipend are payable; details available on request.
Last date for submission letters of intent is October 28, 2011
For more information and details, you can visit this link. http://www.wipo.int/tk/en/
