Job Opportunities in Switzerland

Internet Dispute Resolution Section, WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center, IP and Innovation Ecosystems Sector

Grade - N/A

Contract Duration - 12 months, with possibility of extension

Duty Station : CH-Geneva

Publication Date : 31-Aug-2024 Application Deadline : 28-Feb-2025, 4:59:00 PM

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.
The WIPO Domain Name Fellowship Program is presently open to law graduates. The experience gained at WIPO will strengthen their knowledge of Internet dispute and trademark law. The Program enables the Fellows to contribute to the work of WIPO whilst broadening their professional knowledge and experience.
This Roster will be accepting applications until the end of February 2025, and will serve to ensure a pipeline of qualified candidates for Domain Name Fellowship (Legal Case Manager) positions within the WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center.
The positions are located in WIPO’s Internet Dispute Resolution Section, which provides case administration services for disputes involving trademark-based claims of domain name “cybersquatting” under the WIPO-created Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy (UDRP). Read more about this work here. Legal Case Managers contribute to WIPO’s UDRP services by managing their own case docket, and work under the supervision of experienced Legal Officers.
The positions are based in Geneva, Switzerland. WIPO values diversity among its personnel and is committed to equal employment opportunities. We welcome applications from qualified candidates from unrepresented Member States of WIPO, and from underrepresented geographical regions and groups.

1. Organizational context

Coordinating with other vertical and horizontal WIPO sectors, the IP and Innovation Ecosystems Sector (IES) is responsible for helping Member States develop their IP and innovation ecosystems to drive enterprise and economic growth. IES is also responsible for providing support for researchers and innovators, as well as enterprises, including SMEs, in IP commercialization and otherwise using IP for business growth; issues relating to the emergence of IP as an asset class; and the development of advisory expertise in these and related areas, for example, in national IP strategies.

Within IES, the position is located in the Internet Dispute Resolution Section of the WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center, which is a resource center for the resolution of intellectual property disputes between private parties through methods other than court litigation. The Center's areas of activity are covered by the Internet Dispute Resolution Section, the IP Disputes Section, the Information and External Relations Section, and the Business Development and Digital Content Disputes Section. The Internet Dispute Resolution Section is responsible for the administration of domain name disputes filed under different policies and various related aspects of the Internet Domain Name System (DNS), as well as selected policy developments as they relate to Internet dispute resolution.

2. Duties and responsibilities

With training by, and under the supervision of, the WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center’s legal/case management staff, Legal Case Managers provide support in the following areas:

(a) Contribute to the administration of domain name cases across a range of languages;



(c) Updating data in the domain name Case Management System;

(d) Undertake research projects as needed;





Essential: Degree in law.
Desirable: University degree including studies in intellectual property and/or alternative dispute resolution.
(b) Experience:
Essential: At least 6 months of relevant work experience in a law firm and/or legal department or enforcement agency, including experience in intellectual property law or alternative dispute resolution.

(c) Languages:
Essential: Excellent (written and spoken) knowledge of English.
Desirable: Excellent (written and spoken) knowledge of another UN official language and/or language relevant to WIPO domain name proceedings, e.g. Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish, Dutch, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Romanian, Swedish, Turkish or Ukrainian.

(d) Specific skills and competencies:

Essential:
Broad understanding of intellectual property and alternative dispute resolution.
Good understanding of the procedures applicable to the work.
Self-starter able to manage self and workload without constant supervision.
Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
Excellent written and oral communication skills.
Flexibility and team spirit. Ability to work quickly and accurately under pressure.
Ease and tact in personal contacts at all levels.
Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to maintain effective partnerships and working relations in a multi-cultural environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.

4. Organizational competencies



Additional Information:
Contract duration: A fellowship may be granted for a period of up to 12 months. It may be extended one or more times, provided that the maximum cumulative length of the fellowship does not exceed a period of three years.
Stipend: CHF 5,000 monthly.
Travel expenses: Contribution towards travel expenses will be provided on engagement and separation from service. If necessary, WIPO provides assistance in obtaining an entry visa to Switzerland.
Insurance: WIPO contributes towards the cost of medical insurance and provides professional accident insurance coverage during the course of the fellowship.

Overview of the selection process:
The applications received will be reviewed by the hiring office and candidates who are found to be suitable for Fellowship (Legal Case Manager) opportunity, will be contacted and invited for further assessment. The Roster may be used at any time during the year when Fellowship opportunities become available. Due to the large number of applications we receive, we may only be able to contact candidates found to be suitable for further assessment.

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 application is further considered, 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.