PCT Officer

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING APPLICATION DEADLINE\:  please note that the deadline for applications is indicated in local time as per the time zone of the applicant’s location.

1. 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 provides legal advice on PCT matters to users of the PCT system (in particular applicants, their agents and PCT Contracting States), implements changes to the PCT Regulations and other changes within the PCT system and reaches out to PCT users and potential PCT users through various training activities.

    

    

2. Purpose Statement

    

   The main role of the incumbent is to ensure the resolution of and to manage the distribution of special handling cases addressed to the PCT Legal and User Support Section by the PCT Operations Division and to provide information, advice and assistance to PCT applicants and agents, PCT Contracting States, industrial property Offices and PCT Authorities, on the legal and procedural aspects of the filing and processing of PCT applications.

    

    

3. Reporting Lines

    

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

    

    

The incumbent will perform the following principal duties\:

a.  Research and prepare drafts of legal opinions, studies, briefs, reports and correspondence on the legal functioning of the PCT;

b.  Provide information and legal advice to PCT applicants and agents, PCT Contracting States and other PCT Divisions and other parts of WIPO on PCT matters where precedent and/or practice exists and where the issues are of limited complexity and/or sensitivity;

c.  Administer incoming queries about specific PCT applications; monitor replies to these queries, ensuring contents of the responses are legally sound and keep records and statistical information on the cases received and the nature of the queries;  communicate accordingly with concerned staff in the Sector on problems identified to improve overall quality and uniformity of information shared in the responses;

d.  Analyse and propose plans of action for the improved handling of PCT applications;

e.  Create new training material and update existing training material in multiple languages;

f.   Provide comments and observations on PCT-related texts furnished for comments by the PCT Business Development Division, the PCT International Cooperation Division and the PCT Operations Division;

g.  Speak at training courses, seminars and information meetings for users and potential users of the PCT as well as provide internal training for WIPO staff members;

h.  Communicate with the PCT Operations Division on procedural matters in handling PCT applications; draft instructions, procedures and ensure application thereof by colleagues concerned;

i.   Perform other related duties as required.

Education (Essential)

First-level university degree in law, business, engineering, or similar fields.

Education (Desirable)

Specialization in patent law.

Experience (Essential)

At least six years of relevant professional experience in the field of patents, either in the public or private sector.  An advanced university degree in one of the afore-mentioned disciplines may be accepted in lieu of two years of experience.

Detailed knowledge of, and experience with, the PCT.

Experience (Desirable)

Experience with using the PCT system and applying the PCT legal framework, for example in the private sector, in a national or regional patent office or an intergovernmental organization.

Language (Essential)

Excellent written and spoken knowledge of English.

Language (Desirable)

Good knowledge of other PCT publication languages, in particular French and Spanish.

Job Related Competencies (Essential)

Ability to analyse legal questions, and draft legal texts.

Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

Excellent organizational skills.

Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to maintain effective partnerships and working relations in a multi-cultural environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.

Competent user of Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) and the internet.

1. Communicating effectively.

2. Showing team spirit.

3. Demonstrating integrity.

4. Valuing diversity.

5. Producing results.

6. Showing service orientation.

7. Seeing the big picture.

8. Seeking change and innovation.

9. Developing yourself and others.

    

    

Mobility\:  WIPO staff members are international civil servants subject to the authority of the Director General and may be assigned to any activities, office or duty station of the Organization.  Accordingly, the selected candidate may be required to move from time to time to new functions and/or to another duty station.

Annual salary\:

Total annual salary consists of a net annual salary (net of taxes and before medical insurance and pension fund deductions) in US dollars and a post adjustment.  Please note that this estimate is for information only.  The post adjustment multiplier (cost of living allowance) is variable and subject to change (increase or decrease) without notice.  The figures quoted below are based on the March 2021 rate of 86.3%

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

Additional Information

Initial period of one year, renewable, subject to satisfactory performance.  No fixed-term appointment or any extension hereof shall carry with it any expectancy of, nor imply any right to, (further) extensions or conversion to a permanent appointment.

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. Please click on the following links for the list of unrepresented Member States and the list of underrepresented regions and the WIPO Member States in these regions.

The Organization reserves the right to make an appointment at a grade lower than that advertised.

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By completing an application, candidates understand that any willful misrepresentation made on this web site, or on any other documents submitted to WIPO during the application, may result in disqualification from the recruitment process, or termination of employment with WIPO at a later date, if that employment resulted from such willful misrepresentations.

In the event that your candidature is shortlisted, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of an identification and of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WIPO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link\: http\://www.whed.net/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and these will be reviewed individually.

Additional testing/interviewing may be used as a form of screening.  Initial appointment is subject to satisfactory professional references.

Additional background checks may be required.