Counsellor

Counsellor - 23101-FT

PCT Legal and User Support Section, PCT Legal and User Relations Division, PCT Legal and International Affairs Department, Patents and Technology Sector

Grade - P4

Contract Duration - 2 years *

Duty Station : CH-Geneva

Publication Date : 01-May-2023 Application Deadline : 26-May-2023, 4:59:00 PM

**1. Organizational Context**
- **Organizational Setting**

The post is located in the PCT Legal and User Support Section, PCT Legal and User Relations Division, PCT Legal and International Affairs Department, Patents and Technology Sector. The PCT Legal and User Support Section deals with providing legal advice on PCT matters to all users of the PCT system (in particular applicants, their agents and PCT Contracting States), implementing changes to the PCT Regulations and other changes within the PCT system and reaching out to PCT users and potential PCT users through various outreach activities.
- **Purpose Statement**

The incumbent’s main role is to provide legal opinions and assistance to users of the PCT system, to interpret legal provisions of the PCT and to provide legal drafts in relation to implementing improvements of the PCT legal framework.
- **Reporting Lines**

The incumbent works under the supervision of the Deputy Director and Head of the Section.

**2. Duties and Responsibilities**

The incumbent will perform the following principal duties:
**a. **Provide information, advice and assistance to PCT applicants and agents, PCT Contracting States, industrial property Offices and PCT Authorities, on the legal functioning of the PCT.

**b. **Provide information, advice and assistance to PCT Operations and other parts of WIPO on PCT matters.

**c. **Design training materials, prepare and provide training courses, seminars and information meetings for users and potential users of the PCT as well as internal training for WIPO staff members.

**d. **Perform legal work connected with improvements of the PCT system, including, in particular, the preparation and implementation of amendments to the Regulations, the Administrative Instructions and the Guidelines under the PCT.

**e. **Prepare and update informative material on the PCT.

**f. **Prepare studies, documents and meetings concerning the PCT, representing WIPO at such meetings, and preparing their reports.

**g. **Develop and maintain close relations with stakeholders in target countries and identify opportunities to strengthen cooperation.

**h. **Perform other related duties as required.

**3. Requirements**

**Education (Essential)**

Advanced university degree in law, natural sciences, engineering or a relevant field. A first-level university degree plus two additional years of relevant professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

**Education (Desirable)**

Specialization in patent law.

**Experience (Essential)**

At least seven years of relevant professional experience in the field of patents, either in the private sector, a national or regional patent office or an international organization.

Detailed knowledge of and significant practical experience, preferably at least five years, with the PCT.

**Language (Essential)**

Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English.

**Language (Desirable)**

Good knowledge of any other additional PCT publication language.

**Job Related Competencies (Essential)**

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.

Excellent analytical and presentation skills.

Confident public speaker.

**4. Organizational Competencies**
- Communicating effectively.
- Showing team spirit.
- Demonstrating integrity.
- Valuing diversity.
- Producing results.
- Showing service orientation.
- Seeing the big picture.
- Seeking change and innovation.
- Developing yourself and others.

**5. Inform**ation**

**Annual salary**:
**P4**

Annual salary

$75,602

Post adjustment

$63,506

Total Salary

$139,108

Currency USD

Salaries and allowances are paid in Swiss francs at the official rate of exchange of the United Nations.

Please refer to WIPO’s Staff Regulation and Rules for detailed information concerning salaries, benefits and allowances.

**Additional Information**

This vacancy announcement may be used to fill other posts at the same grade with similar functions in accordance with Staff Rule 4.9.5.

Applications from qualified women as well as from qualified nationals of unrepresented Member States of WIPO and underrepresented geographical regions are encouraged.

The Organization reserves the right to make an appointment at a grade lower than that advertised.
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Additional background checks may be required.