Associate Legal Officer – Patents and Treaties Law

About the role

The Associate Legal Officer will support the development of balanced, forward‑looking international legal frameworks covering patents, utility models, trade secrets and emerging technologies. Working within the Patents and Treaties Law Section of WIPO, the incumbent will contribute to policy‑making, capacity‑building and the administration of key patent treaties.

Key responsibilities

• Conduct legal research and comparative analysis of national and regional IP legislation.
• Draft initial versions of working documents, guides, legal opinions and other materials for WIPO technical committees and bodies.
• Assist in planning and delivering training, seminars and awareness‑raising activities on patents and trade secrets.
• Participate as a Secretariat member in WIPO technical committee meetings, preparing summary records.
• Represent the Section at conferences, meetings with Member States, intergovernmental and non‑governmental organisations.
• Handle general correspondence, respond to inquiries and provide legal advice on IP matters.

Required profile

• Advanced university degree in law with a focus on intellectual property.
• Professional experience in patent law, utility models, trade secrets or related technology law.
• Strong knowledge of international patent treaties (e.g., Budapest Treaty, Patent Law Treaty, Paris Convention).
• Excellent research, analytical and drafting abilities.
• Fluency in English; knowledge of French is an asset.

Required skills

• Legal research and comparative law analysis.
• Drafting legal documents, opinions and policy guides.
• Organising training sessions and workshops.
• Participating in international meetings and drafting summary records.

What we offer

• Fixed‑term contract (up to 2 years, cumulative maximum of 5 years).
• Opportunity to work at a leading global IP organization in Geneva.
• Exposure to high‑level international policy development and capacity‑building activities.