WIPO

WORLD INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ORGANIZATION

GENEVA

WIPO INDIGENOUS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LAW FELLOW

April 2010 to December 2010

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) seeks expressions of interest from suitably qualified individuals for the

WIPO Indigenous Intellectual Property Law Fellowship.

THE BACKGROUND: WHY AN INDIGENOUS IP LAW FELLOWSHIP?

The law and practice of intellectual property is of increasing interest to indigenous peoples, stemming from concerns that indigenous cultural heritage and knowledge systems should be recognized and dealt with in conformity with the interests, values and customary practices of their custodians. The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2007, provides that indigenous peoples “have the right to maintain, control, protect and develop their intellectual property over cultural heritage, traditional knowledge, and traditional cultural expressions.” Many communities have active practical programs to protect their intellectual property interests, and many also take an active role in international policy debates touching on intellectual property law.

The WIPO Indigenous Intellectual Property Law Fellowship builds 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. It recognizes, and seeks to foster, the strong legal expertise that exists within indigenous communities, and offers an opportunity both for a valuable professional opportunity and a practical role within the WIPO Secretariat on the program dealing most closely with issues of concern to indigenous peoples, including the WIPO Intergovernmental Committee on Intellectual Property and Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Folklore (the IGC) and related consultations and program activities.

The Fellowship program was approved by WIPO Member States in December 2008 and is included in the WIPO’s Program and Budget for the 2010-2011 biennium. The inaugural program took place in August 2009 (for more information, see http://www.wipo.int/export/sites/www/tk/en/fellowship/pdf/laltaika_bio.pdf ).

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THE ROLE: WHAT WILL THE INDIGENOUS IP LAW FELLOW DO?

The Fellow will work in the Traditional Knowledge Division of WIPO and in so doing inter alia:

              

assist in the development of and in the organization of activities related to intellectual property and genetic resources, traditional knowledge and traditional cultural expressions;

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undertake research, drafting and the preparation of publications and other awareness raising materials;

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participate in the Secretariat of the IGC and related meetings;

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undertake outreach consultations and training activities focused on indigenous peoples; and,

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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 REQUIREMENTS: WHAT QUALIFICATIONS ARE NEEDED?

The Fellow is expected to meet the following requirements:

              

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;

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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.

 

The Fellow should be able to commence the Fellowship in Geneva on or about April 1, 2010.

THE CONDITIONS: WHAT DOES THE FELLOWSHIP SCHEME PROVIDE FOR?

Term of fellowship: Nine months, non-renewable

Location: WIPO Headquarters, Geneva

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.