Director, Diplomatic Engagement and Assemblies Affairs Division

Contract

This is a D-1 contract. This kind of contract is known as Professional and Director staff. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's a staff contract. It usually requires 15 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 237,851 USD and 300,143 USD.

Please keep in mind that the salary displayed here is an estimation by UN Talent based on the location and the type of contract. It may vary depending on the organization. The recruiter should be able to inform you about the exact salary range. In case the job description contains another salary information, please refer to this one.

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING APPLICATION DEADLINE: please note that the deadline for applications is indicated in local time as per the time zone of the applicant’s location.

1. Organizational Context

1. Organizational Setting

The position is located in the Diplomatic Engagement and Assemblies Affairs Division, Sector of the Director General. The Division is responsible for all engagements with the diplomatic community in Geneva through various avenues such as events and meetings, as well as for overseeing the administrative, logistical and other aspects of key meetings such as the WIPO General Assembly.

2. Purpose Statement

The Director of the Diplomatic Engagement and Assemblies Affairs Division ensures constructive diplomatic and political engagement with WIPO Member States and other stakeholders. The incumbent has principal responsibility for directing, planning, coordinating and supervising the organization of key meetings, both in-person and virtual, such as the WIPO Assemblies, as well as overall protocol and event services program of the Organization.

3. Reporting Lines

The incumbent reports to the Director General.

4. Work Relations

The incumbent works closely with senior officials throughout the Organization as well as with Member State representatives on issues as required by the Office of the Director General.

2. Duties and Responsibilities

The incumbent will perform the following principal duties:

a. Provide expert political and diplomatic advice to the Director General and senior managers on all matters relating to the Organization's activities and services. Develop close and effective strategic communication with the Permanent Missions, other United Nations agencies and international organizations, etc.

b. Establish, develop and maintain optimum relations with high-level contacts, host country authorities, international organizations, Member States and other key stakeholders. Liaise with senior officials from external protocol offices of other United Nations agencies and the host Government.

c. Manage and coordinate all services related to the organization of the WIPO Assemblies. This includes: liaising with and conducting coordination meetings and briefings on the Assemblies with all units involved; developing the Draft Agenda for the Assemblies; and preparing and directing arrangements for any Ministerial High Level Segment which may be held.

d. Formulate and direct the event management strategy in line with WIPO's corporate, engagement and communications goals, use technology and digitalization to transform such engagements; analyze and forecast stakeholder opinion, attitudes and preferences, and outline a roadmap for the short- and long-term execution of events. Oversee internal dissemination of knowledge within WIPO about the role of events in overall delivery.

e. Supervise and coordinate the preparation and production of documents related to the WIPO Assemblies and leverage on technology and digitalization to transform the user experience at these Assemblies. This includes preparing draft reports and finalizing the reports for review by the Director General; developing and implementing policies, procedures and guidelines related to the consistency and quality of all working documents and communication materials for the Assemblies; developing guidelines relating to editing and terminology.

f. Oversee the planning, management and implementation of official events in-person and virtual (receptions, exhibitions, etc.), and coordinate and implement all protocol-related services required by the Director General for functions held in WIPO headquarters and elsewhere in Geneva. Provide "master of ceremonies" services for functions when requested by the Director General.

g. Exercise strategic asset management, and direct the Division's operational program. Develop capacities to flexibly deploy resources into value-added activities, create opportunities for, and manage and implement, change. Prepare annual program of work and budget documents. Empower staff, advance operational performance levels and find solutions to problems where procedures and precedents do not exist.

h. Perform other related duties as required by the Director General.

3. Requirements

Education (Essential)

Advanced university degree in political science, international relations, management, public relations, business administration, law, communications, social sciences, development or related field. A first-level degree with two years of experience in addition to the number of years required below may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience (Essential)

At least 15 years' relevant experience including experience in conference and events management as well as communication and diplomatic relations in a multicultural environment/intergovernmental organization or for a government.

Experience in planning and organizing high-level visits, meetings in-person and virtual and other events requiring in-depth understanding of the interests, including political interests, at stake.

In-depth understanding of diplomatic practices.

Experience (Desirable)

Experience managing large events in a multi-stakeholder context.

Experience in the United Nations system, an IGO or in a government.

Experience in Digital transformation.

Language (Essential)

Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English and French.

Ability to draft diplomatic correspondence in English and French.

Language (Desirable)

Knowledge of other official UN languages.

Job Related Competencies (Essential)

Strong analytical skills. Good judgment. Strong planning and organizational skills.

Proven ability to work under pressure, and to maintain tact and composure at all times in such circumstances. High level of political and diplomatic skills and discretion.

Ability to effectively and efficiently coordinate with a wide range of actors, both within the Organization and externally, and deliver results often with very short lead times.

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and ability to maintain effective partnerships and working relations in a multi-cultural environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity. Effective public speaking skills.

Broad knowledge of intellectual property issues and a good understanding of the strategic objectives of WIPO. Proven ability to master new subjects rapidly.

Digital Event skills, including digital audience engagement, social media management, data management and user experience.

Competent user of Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) and social media.

4. Organizational Competencies

1. Communicating effectively.
2. Showing team spirit.
3. Demonstrating integrity.
4. Valuing diversity.
5. Producing results.
6. Showing service orientation.
7. Seeing the big picture.
8. Seeking change and innovation.
9. Developing yourself and others.

5. Information

Mobility: WIPO staff members are international civil servants subject to the authority of the Director General and may be assigned to any activities, office or duty station of the Organization. Accordingly, the selected candidate may be required to move from time to time to new functions and/or to another duty station.

Annual salary****:

Total annual salary consists of a net annual salary (net of taxes and before medical insurance and pension fund deductions) in US dollars and a post adjustment. Please note that this estimate is for information only. The post adjustment multiplier (cost of living allowance) is variable and subject to change (increase or decrease) without notice. The figures quoted below are based on the March 2023 rate of 81.8%

D1

Annual salary

$103,660

Post adjustment

$84,794

Total Salary

$188,454

Currency USD

Salaries and allowances are paid in Swiss francs at the official rate of exchange of the United Nations.

Please refer to WIPO’s Staff Regulation and Rules for detailed information concerning salaries, benefits and allowances.

Additional Information

* Initial period of two years, renewable, subject to satisfactory performance. No fixed-term appointment or any extension hereof shall carry with it any expectancy of, nor imply any right to, (further) extensions or conversion to a permanent appointment.

This vacancy announcement may be used to fill other posts at the same grade with similar functions in accordance with Staff Rule 4.9.5.

Applications from qualified women as well as from qualified nationals of unrepresented Member States of WIPO and underrepresented geographical regions are encouraged. Please click on the following links for the list of unrepresented Member States and the list of underrepresented regions and the WIPO Member States in these regions.

The Organization reserves the right to make an appointment at a grade lower than that advertised.

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By completing an application, candidates understand that any willful misrepresentation made on this web site, or on any other documents submitted to WIPO during the application, may result in disqualification from the recruitment process, or termination of employment with WIPO at a later date, if that employment resulted from such willful misrepresentations.

In the event that your candidature is shortlisted, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of an identification and of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WIPO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link: http://www.whed.net/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and these will be reviewed individually.

Additional testing/interviewing may be used as a form of screening. Initial appointment is subject to satisfactory professional references.

Additional background checks may be required.