International Bureau of WIPO Staff Regulations

The International Bureau of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) operates under a comprehensive framework of Staff Regulations that define the rights, duties and procedural safeguards for its employees. These regulations are essential for ensuring the smooth functioning of an intergovernmental organization whose mission is to promote the protection of intellectual property throughout the world.

1. Legal Basis and Scope

The Staff Regulations are adopted by the WIPO General Assembly and are supplemented by the Staff Rules, the Staff Manual and a series of administrative circulars. Together they cover every category of staff from senior officials and professional officers to administrative assistants and temporary agents. The Regulations apply to all personnel while they are engaged in official duties, regardless of the duty station.

2. Core Principles

The Regulations are built on three overarching principles:

• Equality and Nondiscrimination All staff members enjoy the same fundamental rights without distinction of nationality, gender, race, religion or any other status.
• Meritbased Recruitment Selection procedures are designed to recruit the most qualified candidates, with transparent criteria and independent assessment.
• Protection of the Organizations Interests While safeguarding individual rights, the Regulations also ensure that staff act in the best interests of WIPO and maintain the confidentiality of official information.

3. Recruitment and Appointment

3.1 Recruitment Process

Vacancies are announced publicly on the WIPO careers portal. Candidates are evaluated through written tests, interviews and, when appropriate, professional assessments. The final selection is made by the DirectorGeneral, subject to the approval of the WIPO Secretariat and the General Assembly.

3.2 Types of Contracts

• Permanent contracts For staff appointed under the regular staff category. These contracts provide full benefits and job security.
• Fixedterm contracts Used for projectbased work or to fill temporary gaps; they can be renewed but do not confer the same level of security as permanent posts.
• Temporary and consultancy appointments Shortterm engagements for specialists; they are governed by specific rules distinct from the regular staff regime.

4. Rights and Obligations of Staff

4.1 Fundamental Rights

Each staff member has the right to:

• Fair remuneration and appropriate allowances.
• Social security and pension benefits in accordance with the WIPO staff pension scheme.
• Access to training, career development and promotion opportunities.
• Freedom of expression and association, within the limits of official duties.
• A safe and healthy working environment.

4.2 Core Obligations

Obligations include loyalty to the Organization, observance of professional conduct standards, confidentiality of official information and compliance with the internal code of ethics. Staff must also respect the official languages of WIPO (English, French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese and Russian) when performing official duties.

5. Working Conditions

5.1 Hours of Work

The standard workweek is 40 hours, spread over five days. Overtime may be authorized in exceptional circumstances and is compensated either by additional leave or by a monetary premium, as stipulated in the Staff Rules.

5.2 Leave Entitlements

• Annual leave 30 calendar days per year, with a minimum of 24 days for new staff.
• Sick leave Paid sick leave up to 30 days per year, supported by a medical certificate.
• Special leave For family emergencies, parental responsibilities, study or training abroad, and public duties.

6. Performance Evaluation and Career Development

Annual performance appraisals are conducted by the immediate supervisor and reviewed by the Department Head. The appraisal process assesses:

• Achievement of objectives set in the previous year.
• Demonstration of core competencies such as teamwork, analytical ability and ethical conduct.
• Potential for higher responsibility.

Positive evaluations are a prerequisite for promotion, salary increases and eligibility for training programs.

When a staff member breaches the Regulations, the Organization may apply a range of disciplinary actions, from a simple warning to dismissal. The steps are:

1. Investigation Conducted by the Office of the Ombudsperson or a designated committee.
2. Notice The employee receives a written notice outlining the alleged breach and possible sanctions.
3. Hearing The staff member may be heard and present evidence.
4. Decision The competent authority issues a decision, which is communicated in writing.

Any staff member who considers the decision unjust may file an appeal with the WIPO Administrative Tribunal within 30 days of receiving the decision. The Tribunal functions independently and its rulings are final.

8. Conflict of Interest and Ethics

Staff are required to avoid situations where personal interests could interfere with official duties. This includes:

• Disclosing financial interests that may affect impartiality.
• Refraining from accepting gifts or favours from entities that have business with WIPO.
• Reporting suspected misconduct through the internal whistleblowing system.

Violations of the ethics code may trigger investigations and, where appropriate, disciplinary sanctions.

9. Benefits and Compensation

Compensation packages are designed to be competitive internationally and consist of:

• Base salary Determined according to a grade and step system.
• Postadjustments Paid for livingcost differences in duty stations.
• Allowances Including expatriation, education for dependent children and travel.
• Pension Contributions to the WIPO Staff Pension Fund, which provides retirement benefits based on length of service.

10. International Mobility

Because WIPOs work is global, staff may be posted to one of its field offices or to memberstate missions. International assignments are governed by separate rules that cover duration, allowances, tax status and the right to return to the home post.

11. Recent Amendments (20232024)

In response to evolving work patterns, the General Assembly adopted several amendments:

• Introduction of a flexibleworking policy that allows remote work up to two days per week, subject to managerial approval.
• Updating the harassment policy to include explicit protections for genderidentity and sexualorientation.
• Strengthening the whistleblowing mechanism with a secure online portal and guarantee of anonymity.

12. Accessing the Regulations

The full text of the Staff Regulations, together with the Staff Rules and the Staff Manual, is available on the WIPO website. Staff members can also request printed copies from the Human Resources Department.

For quick reference, the following links are useful:

• WIPO Staff Regulations (official page)
• Staff Rules
• Staff Manual