African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO) ,Legal officer Jobs in Rwanda

African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO)

Post of Legal Officer

Background of the Organization

The
African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO) (hereinafter
referred to as “the Organization”), an intergovernmental Organization, which
was established at Lusaka, Zambia, in 1976 by an Agreement concluded under the
auspices of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and the World
Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).

The
Organization was created, inter alia, to promote the development of
intellectual property laws appropriate to the needs of its members, establish
common services and training schemes, and assist its members in the acquisition
and development of technology and the evolving of common views on intellectual
property matters.

The
Organization grants and administers Intellectual Property titles on behalf of
the member states and provides Intellectual Property information to its
clientele in the form of search services, publications and awareness creation.
Membership of the organisation is open to all states members of the African
Union (AU) or of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA).

The
present members of the Organization are: Botswana,
The Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia,
Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Swaziland, Uganda,
United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe. (Total: 19
states)

The organs of the organization are:

the Council of Ministers, consisting
of ministers who are responsible in the Member States for the
administration of intellectual property matters;
the Administrative Council
consisting of heads of offices, in the Member States, dealing with the
administration of intellectual property; and
the Secretariat (the Office of
ARIPO) headed by the Director General as the principal executive officer
of the Organization.

Applications
are invited from suitable candidates to be considered for appointment to the
post Legal Officer of the Organization, the full description of which is as
follows:

Duty Station:
Harare, Zimbabwe

Duration of Appointment: Fixed-term contract of two years
(renewable)

Scheduled Date of Entry on Duty: To
be determined

Principal Duties:

Under
the supervision of the Director General, the incumbent Legal Officer shall have
the following tasks;

Legal advice to the Organization;
Draft all legal documents within the
Organization;

Research and collect documentation,
particularly concerning national laws on intellectual property, and
concerning the management of offices and organizations administering such
rights;
Assist in and provide advice on the
preparation of draft legislative texts or of comments on such text as
requested by ARIPO member states;
Assist in the development,
harmonization and/or modernization of legislative instruments in ARIPO
member states;
Assist in the preparation of policy
documents and coordination of intellectual property in the member states
of ARIPO;
Participate in the preparation of
reports on activities concerning cooperation for development activities;
and
Perform other duties that may be
assigned.

Qualifications required

A Master’s Degree in Law or Master’s
Degree in Intellectual Property;
A minimum of 5 years work
experience,( at least 3 of which should be in offering Legal advice on
Intellectual Property);
Excellent knowledge of oral and
written English. Knowledge of French, Portuguese or other UN recognized
language would be an added advantage;
Public Relations, good
interpersonal, presentation and negotiating skills and ability to
maintain effective partnerships and working relations in a
multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for
diversity;
Knowledge of Intellectual Property
would be an added advantage;
Ability to work under minimum
supervision;

Ability to work as a member of a
team; and
Good analytical skills

Nationality: To
be eligible for appointment, candidates must be nationals of a Member State of
the Organization.

Conditions of Employment:

Conditions
of service shall be subject to the ARIPO Staff Rules and Procedures or be
determined by the Administrative Council of the Organization.

Salary
and allowances on first appointment shall be those applicable to Grade L-3 STEP
1 of the ARIPO salary scales of the professional category.

Base Salary:
US$39,150.00 per annum

Post Adjustment Allowance: Depending on the rise and fall, in value,
of the United States dollar, a post adjustment index which is presently 52.4%
of base salary is applied as a cost of living allowance.

Dependency Allowances: US$900 per year for a dependent child. Maximum number of
children three (3).

Other conditions include:

Payment of travel and removal
expenses,
Once off Installation grant;
Education grant up to a maximum of
three children;
Housing allowance;
Contributory medical insurance
scheme;
Annual leave of 30 working days; and
Paid home leave every two years.

Medical Examination: The appointment is subject to a satisfactory United Nations
type medical examination.

Other Conditions of Service: Other terms and conditions of service
shall be subject to the ARIPO Staff Rules and Procedures or be determined by
the Administrative Council of the Organization.

Applications:
Applicants should submit detailed curriculum vitae indicating pertinent
personal data, two-passport size photographs and accompanied by certified
copies of relevant certificates and names and addresses of two persons from
whom references can be obtained.

Applicants
should indicate in their personal data, the following:

i)
family name and first names;

ii)
date and place of birth;

iii)
nationality and detailed present address;

iv)
full names, relationship, sex and date of birth of dependents;

v)
language abilities both written and spoken;

vi)
educational background (main subjects, institutions, diplomas or degrees and
marks of merit;

vii)
employment record (present or most recent employment, previous employment); and

(viii)
any other relevant information.

Applications should be sent to;

The Director General

African Regional Intellectual Property Organization