WIPO, Property Law Fellowship in Geneva

Deadline: 28 October 2011
Open to: Active member of an indigenous community with ability to work effectively in English
Fellowship: Nine months, travel expenses and a monthly stipend are payable; details available on request

WIPO is currently seeking expressions of interest from suitably qualified individuals for the WIPO Indigenous Intellectual Property Law Fellowship. The fellowship aims at building on a series of initiatives to ensure that indigenous peoples are actively and effectively involved in the work of WIPO on issues that matter to them. The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations. It is dedicated to developing a balanced and accessible international intellectual property (IP) system, which rewards creativity, stimulates innovation and contributes to economic development while safeguarding the public interest.

Description

The fellowship aims at building on a series of initiatives to ensure that indigenous peoples are actively and effectively involved in the work of WIPO on issues that matter to them.
The Fellow will work in the Traditional Knowledge Division of WIPO and, in so doing:

• assist in the development of and in the organization of activities related to intellectual,
• property and genetic resources, traditional knowledge and traditional cultural expressions;
• undertake research, drafting and the preparation of publications and other awareness raising materials;
• participate in the Secretariat of the IGC and related meetings;
• undertake outreach consultations and training activities focused on indigenous peoples;
• perform such other tasks as needed.

The Fellow would not be expected to work as an independent scholar, advisor or analyst, but  would operate within the WIPO Secretariat and would directly participate in the delivery of core  program outputs.The Fellow should be able to commence the Fellowship in Geneva in early February, 2012.

Eligibility

• A recognized and active member of an indigenous community;
• An established track record in advising on and researching legal issues relating to indigenous peoples and the law and practice of intellectual property;
• Legal qualifications, or equivalent in practical expertise and community work, preferably with specific components relating to intellectual property law or closely related areas of law;
• Ability to work effectively in English, and to work fluently in and prepare documents suitable for publication in at least one of the six UN languages (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian or Spanish);
• A record of publications (general awareness raising, formal legal analysis, or scholarly publications) and/or participation in community consultations and outreach would be an advantage;
• The Fellow will also be selected on the basis of demonstrated capacity to contribute directly to the approved program outputs established in the WIPO Program and Budget.

Fellowship

Nine months,travel expenses and a monthly stipend are payable; details available on request.This is not a regular employment position within the WIPO Secretariat, and it does not lead to employment rights and entitlements beyond the terms of this fellowship.

How to apply

Expressions of interest, accompanied only by a full curriculum vitae (résumé) and a brief  statement by the candidate addressing each of the requirements set out above, should be sent  to:
Traditional Knowledge Division   
World Intellectual Property Organization  
34 chemin des Colombettes,   
1211 Geneva 20,   
Switzerland  
or by email: grtkf@wipo.int
or by fax:+41 22 338 8120 
Expressions of interest should not include any other attachments or enclosures (such as  copies of publications and other materials).
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