The African Regional Intellectual Property Organisation (ARIPO) (hereinafter referred to as "the Organisation"), an Intergovernmental Organisation, 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 Organisation (WIPO).

The Organisation 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 Organisation 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 Organisation 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 Organisation 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 Organisation

Job Description

•   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 Organisation;
•   Draft all legal documents within the Organisation;
•   Research and collect documentation, particularly concerning national taws on intellectual property, and concerning the management of offices and Organisations 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, harmonisation and/or modernisation 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.

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 Organisation
•   Salary and allowance on first appointment shall be those applicable to Grade L-3 STEP 1 of the ARIPO salary scales of the profession category.

Base Salary: US$39,150 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 (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
•   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 Organisation.

Qualification Required & Experience

•   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);
•   Excelled: 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-ethic 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 Organisation

Location: Harare, Zimbabwe

How To Apply For The Job

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

Applicants should indicate in their personal date, the following:

•   Family name and first names
•   Date and place of birth;
•   Nationality and detailed present address
•   Full names, relationship, sex and date of birth of dependants;
•   Language abilities both written and spoken
•   Educational background, (main subjects, institutions, diplomas or degrees and marks of merit;
•   Employment record (present or most recent employment, previous employment);
•   Any other relevant informationApplications should be sent to;

The Director General
African Regional Intellectual Property Onjanication
11 Natal Road, Belgravia
P. O, Box 4228
HARARE
Zimbabwe

Tel: 00 263:4-794065/6 Fax: 00 263-4-794072/3

Applications can also be submitted via electronic mail to: mail@aripo.org
This vacancy announcement is also available on the ARIPO website www.aripo.org

Closing Date: 31 January, 2015

•   Deadline for submission of Applications: January 31, 2015
•   (Please note that applications received after the deadline will not be considered.)