Fellowship WIPO Lex (English_Spanish)

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 context

(a) Organizational Setting

Fellowships aim to provide fellows with experience to strengthen their knowledge and professional competence, which they can apply in their professional field once they have completed their fellowship with WIPO. Fellowships are awarded for specific activities, which provide the fellows training, within the approved workplan of the employing office.

The position is hosted by the WIPO Lex Section, responsible for developing and maintaining the WIPO Lex database, the comprehensive, open and free global repository for current and historical IP laws, treaties, judgments and judicial systems information.

(b) Purpose Statement

The main role of the Fellow is to contribute to WIPO Lex operations by conducting research and analysis, updating the database, and supporting technical and optimization projects including data-driven and AI-assisted initiatives related to the improvement of WIPO Lex systems and workflows.

(c) Reporting Lines

The Fellow shall work under the supervision of the Head, WIPO Lex Section.

2.     Duties and responsibilities

The Fellow will perform the following principal duties:

a)     Perform research and analysis of IP laws, treaties, and judgments, and related technical/operational matters in English and Spanish.

b)     Ensure the timely and accurate input and review of IP texts and related information in WIPO Lex to meet established quality standards;

c)     Identify areas for improvement related to the work of the Section and provide supervisor with reports and recommendations;

d)     Support the technical development and optimization of WIPO Lex systems and workflows by contributing to user requirements definition, testing features and applications, providing feedback on technical enhancements, and undertaking assigned projects in coordination with senior Section staff and IT colleagues;

e)     Contribute to the integration and use of AI-assisted tools and data-driven methods for legal text processing, structuring, classification, and quality assurance; reviewing and validating outputs generated through automated or AI-supported tools to ensure alignment with WIPO Lex legal and editorial standards; supporting initiatives related to workflow automation, data structuring, and digital process optimization in coordination with senior Section staff and IT colleagues;

f)      Contribute to internal documentation and knowledge-sharing related to technical, data, and AI-supported workflows, including preparation of guidance materials or reports where relevant;

g)     Perform other duties as required.

3. Requirements

     a)     Education:

·       Essential: First-level university degree in law, international relations, economics, engineering, applied sciences, development studies, social sciences and humanities or related discipline.

·       Desirable: Advanced university degree in law, international relations, economics, engineering, applied sciences, development studies, social sciences and humanities or related discipline including studies in intellectual property.

      b)     Experience:

·       Essential: At least six (6) months up to one (1) year of relevant professional experience in intellectual property or innovation.

·       Desirable: Experience in intellectual property law in a law firm and/or department or agency.

     c)     Languages:

·       Essential: Excellent (written and spoken) knowledge of English and Spanish.

·       Desirable: Good knowledge of any other UN official language.

     d)     Specific skills and competencies:

·       Essential:

o   Understanding of intellectual property law.

o   Understanding of the legislative process generally.

o   Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.

o   Excellent written and oral communications skills.

o   Flexibility and team spirit.

o   Ability to work quickly and accurately under pressure.

·       Desirable:

o   Good working knowledge of modern legal databases and database management.

o   Familiarity with AI tools or applications in legal, data, or knowledge management contexts (e.g. natural language processing, data extraction, or document analysis tools).

o   Experience working with structured data, metadata, or automation tools.

o   Ability to critically assess and validate outputs generated by digital or AI-based tools.

o   Experience with workflow optimization.

o   Experience with data visualization.

o   Familiarity with HTML.

o   Project management skills.

o   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

     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.

5.     Terms and Conditions

      a)     Term of fellowship: up to 12 months, with the possibility of extension one or more times, provided the maximum cumulative length does not exceed three years.

     b)     Anticipated Start Date: July 15, 2026

     c)     Location: WIPO Headquarters, Geneva, Switzerland.

    d)     Stipend: CHF 5,000 monthly.

    e)     Travel expenses: WIPO shall contribute towards the cost of the fellow’s travel on engagement and separation from service. If necessary, WIPO may provide assistance in obtaining an entry visa to Switzerland.

    f)      WIPO contributes towards medical insurance and provides accident insurance coverage during the course of the fellowship.

    g)     WIPO will request a Legitimation card (“carte de légitimation”) for the Fellow, which serves as a residence and work permit, from the Permanent Mission of Switzerland to the United Nations Office and to the other international organizations in Geneva. Family members of the Fellow are not eligible for a Legitimation card (carte de legitimation).

    h)     Tax and social security: Fellows shall be solely responsible for meeting any taxation and social security obligations that may arise directly or indirectly from their contract with WIPO.

   6.   Additional information

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, including people with disabilities. If candidates need any accommodation to participate in the recruitment process, they should contact their HR focal point when they receive an invitation.
 

Fellows are not staff members of WIPO, and the position does not lead to any employment rights and entitlements beyond the terms of the fellowship.
 

The Fellowship will take place in Geneva, Switzerland and it cannot be carried out remotely.
 

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.