Legal Officer-CGIAR Consortium

Background

CGIAR is a global partnership that unites organizations engaged in research for sustainable development with the funders of this work. The funders, represented by the CGIAR Fund, include developing and industrialized country governments, foundations, and international and regional organizations. The work they support is carried out by 15 members of the CGIAR Consortium of International Agricultural Research Centers, in close collaboration with hundreds of partner organizations, including national and regional research institutes, civil society organizations, academia, and the private sector. The Consortium is an international organization headquartered in Montpellier, France. The CGIAR Consortium's 15 member centers have about 10,000 staff based in 80 countries, built on a common vision described in the Strategy and Results Framework for mobilizing agricultural research to reduce poverty and hunger, improve human health and nutrition, and enhance sustainable management of natural resources in the developing world.

Primary purpose of the position

Reporting to the CGIAR Consortium General Counsel, the Legal Officer will provide legal and intellectual property guidance and expertise, and coordinate the implementation of the CGIAR Principles on the Management of Intellectual Assets, and their Guidelines, to ensure the sound management of intellectual assets in the CGIAR.

Typical duties and responsibilities

In liaison with appropriate CGIAR personnel, the Legal Officer will:

• Support, monitor and actively review the implementation of the CGIAR Principles on the Management of Intellectual Assets (Principles) and their Guidelines;
• On an annual basis, review and analyse Center Intellectual Asset Reports and prepare the CGIAR Intellectual Assets Report (including recommendations for the strategic management of intellectual assets in CGIAR);
• Provide support and guidance to a network of legal/IP practitioners from CGIAR Consortium members in order to build capacity, leverage knowledge and ensure effective and consistent intellectual assets management in CGIAR (e.g. by developing legal and intellectual asset management tools and models in areas such as licensing, public private partnerships, etc. and by proposing strategies to help disseminate CGIAR outputs at scale;
• Provide legal advice related to genetic resources and IP as required: open access, copyright, databases, trademarks, patents, plant variety protection, access and benefit sharing, farmers 'rights, traditional knowledge, seed laws, biosafety, etc.;
• Develop and maintain a CGIAR-wide IP portfolio;
• Draft, negotiate and/or review of agreements (funding agreements, memoranda of understanding, etc.)on behalf of the Consortium as required;
• Provide legal counsel and support in areas such as corporate law and governance as required;
• Coordinate the organization of workshops, training sessions and consultations on legal/IP management in CGIAR.

Essential qualifications & competencies

• Advanced degree in intellectual property law
• Background (MSc or BSc) in agricultural sciences strongly desired
• Minimum of 8 years of experience in international transactions and IP in the agricultural/biological field.
• Excellent knowledge of intellectual property law and licensing as applied to agriculture, environment and genetic resources, and good understanding of seed systems.
• Experience in negotiating and drafting complex legal agreements.
• Excellent communication and reporting/drafting skills in English.
• Excellent analytical and problem solving skills.
• Demonstrated self-direction, judgment, and initiative.
• Fast learner.
• Proficiency in relevant software packages (Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).

Desirable competencies and qualifications

• Background (MSc or BSc) in agricultural sciences strongly desired
• Working knowledge of French and/or other major languages

Terms and conditions

The Legal Officer will be based in Montpellier, France, and will be contracted by the CGIAR Consortium for a period of three years (renewable). Relocation package and education grant (for children that do not speak French) available. Compensation will be attractive and commensurate with the level of expertise and experience. Travel will be expected.

Applications

Candidates are invited to send their applications by e-mail to Consortium-HR@cgiar.org . Screening of applications will begin on 25 September and will continue until the post is filled. The Consortium of International Agricultural Research Centres is committed to providing an attractive, multicultural and international work environment that reflects the values of teamwork, gender equality, and respect for diversity, with a competitive compensation and benefit package (for an international non-profit organization).