Deadline: 21 July 2015
The World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) is currently accepting applications from the eligible applicants for the post of Senior Legal Officer based in Geneva, Switzerland.
The main role of the Senior Legal Officer is to advise and act on legal aspects of human resources and administrative matters.
WIPO is the global forum for intellectual property services, policy, information and cooperation. We are a self-funding agency of the United Nations, with 188 member states.
Key Job Responsibilities
- The Senior Legal Counsel will perform the following functions-
- Represent the Organization before the WIPO Appeal Board and the ILO Administrative Tribunal; prepare and review pleadings and other necessary documents submitted to these bodies.
- Assist in the resolution of legal questions relating to the preparation and application of the Staff Regulations and Rules and to disputes as to their application.
- Advise on legal aspects, and represent the Organization’s interests in disputes relating to disciplinary matters.
- Provide advice on the legal acceptability of proposed actions and remedies for actions relating to personnel already taken with or without financial implications for the Organization.
- Provide legal advice on the Organization’s grievance procedures and represent the Organization’s interests in the rebuttal/appeal process related to the performance appraisal system.
- Perform other related duties as required.
Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants must have-
- Advanced university degree in law.
- At least nine years of relevant professional work experience in the area of law gained in an intergovernmental organization or national administration or by working for a law firm of which a minimum of five years must be in, or related to, administrative law.
- At least five years of experience in litigation gained at the domestic or international level. Experience in the application and interpretation of the staff regulations and rules of intergovernmental organizations or of comparable administrative legislation.
- Admission to the Bar in a national jurisdiction.
- Experience of working in a UN common system organization.
- Other skills-
- Sound knowledge of applicable legal principles of international administrative law.
- Knowledge of case law, practices and procedures applicable to UN common system organizations.
- Ability to formulate legal opinions on complex questions and draft complex legal texts.
- Ability to conduct comprehensive legal research independently.
- Ability to communicate complex legal subject-matters to a diverse audience.
- Excellent organizational skills with the ability to work under pressure and to respect deadlines.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and ability to maintain effective partnerships and working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
- Competent user of Microsoft Office applications including Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint and the internet, and the ability to adapt quickly to new software.
- Excellent written and spoken knowledge of French and good knowledge of English.
- Knowledge of other UN official languages.
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted through online process.
For more information, please visit WIPO.
