Director, WIPO Singapore Office

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 228,198 USD and 287,962 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 post is located in the WIPO Singapore Office (WSO).

The WSO is part of a network of WIPO External Offices that add clear value, efficiency and effectiveness to the delivery of WIPO’s programs, in line with its Strategic Goals and Results Framework, in a coordinated and complimentary way with WIPO Headquarters.

The WSO acts as the WIPO Service Center in ASEAN. The Office assists intellectual property offices, professionals and businesses in ASEAN Member States make best use of the Global IP Services administered by WIPO (the PCT, Madrid and Hague systems) as well as the databases, platforms, tools, products and other services provided by the Organization. The WSO also works to increase awareness and use of these systems and other offerings to encourage economic, social and cultural development across ASEAN Member States.

The WSO relies on strategic partnerships in each ASEAN Country to reach target audiences. Being based in the region means that the Office is ideally situated to act a link between WIPO’s headquarters in Geneva and our customers and stakeholders in the 10 ASEAN countries.

2. Purpose Statement

The Director of the WIPO Singapore Office is responsible for managing the human and financial resources of the Office, providing strategic guidance for the activities of the Office in line with the broader strategic priorities of WIPO, conceptualizing and ensuring the implementation of an effective work plan for the Office, providing effective coordination and cooperation with the host government, engaging with other stakeholders throughout the ASEAN region and maximizing communications opportunities to promote public understanding of intellectual property, WIPO’s work and its Global IP Services as well as the work of the Office.

3. Reporting Lines

The Director of the WIPO Singapore Office works under the supervision of the Deputy Director General of the Regional and National Development Sector.

4. Work Relations

The Director of the WIPO Singapore Office liaises closely with the Office of the Deputy Director General, Regional and National Development Sector, the Division for the Asia and the Pacific, and other Sectors and Divisions in Headquarters, connecting WIPO’s services, databases, tools, platforms and products with beneficiaries in ASEAN Member States in a coordinated, effective and efficient manner. The Director also coordinates with colleagues in other External Offices to contribute to and benefit from best practices across the network.

2. Duties and Responsibilities

The incumbent will perform the following principal duties:

a. Direct and lead the activities of the WIPO Singapore Office to strategically enhance WIPO’s presence and services in ASEAN Member States in the field of industrial property and copyright, utilizing partnerships and synergies to meet WIPO’s strategic goals.

b. Engage with senior Singapore Government officials in support of the efficient administrative operation of the Office as well as to implement projects under the memorandum on joint cooperation activities.

c. Represent WIPO and provide substantive expertise and authoritative advice at senior-level international, regional and national meetings; prepare and present papers on behalf of WIPO.

d. Direct the Office’s portfolio of work and take management responsibility for its human and financial resources, determining priorities and allocating resources for the timely and quality delivery of work products in accordance with the work plans and results-based management framework; ensure that key risks are identified, assessed and managed for the achievement of agreed results.

e. Lead strategic engagement and promote cooperation with key IP stakeholders in ASEAN Member States; develop and manage consultative networks, including with other providers of IP technical assistance in the ASEAN region, to raise the visibility of WIPO and improve the provision of services to stakeholders in ASEAN Member States; support these endeavors by articulating and updating a strategic communications strategy for the Office.

f. Liaise with officials from other United Nations agencies on matters of common system interest with a view to building synergies. Liaise with officials from other inter-governmental and non-governmental organizations to scale-up and amplify mandate implementation through strategic partnerships.

g. Analyze needs and trends in ASEAN Member States and provide strategic advice and support to senior management of WIPO on key expectations, challenges and evolutions in IP related fields as well as concerning the innovation and creativity ecosystems in the ASEAN region, taking into account overall political and economic circumstances in the 10 Member States of ASEAN.

h. Provide administrative support for the WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center in Singapore.

i. Ensure effective coordination and cooperation with all Sectors and units across the WIPO Secretariat so that program delivery is efficient, coherent and non-duplicative.

j. Perform other related duties as required.

3. Requirements

Education (Essential)

Advanced university degree in international relations, law, economics, public administration, management or other relevant field. A first-level degree with two additional years of relevant experience in addition to the experience requested below may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Experience (Essential)

At least 15 years of relevant and progressively responsible experience, including in the fields of public administration or management.

Experience in the field of IP, including the business and administration of national IP institutions or experience of national or regional authorities dealing with international relations.

Language (Essential)

Excellent written and spoken English.

Language (Desirable)

Knowledge of other UN official languages or of languages spoken in the ASEAN region.

Job Related Competencies (Essential)

Good knowledge of the subject areas dealt with by the Organization, in particular intellectual property.

Good knowledge of the ASEAN region, particularly issues surrounding the IP, innovation and creativity ecosystems in the region.

Demonstrated ability to effectively and efficiently manage human and financial resources.

Ability to build and enhance internal and external partnerships and promote synergies.

Excellent diplomatic, representation and communication skills, including in an international context, and an ability to deliver messages effectively to diverse audiences.

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

Ability to identify key strategic issues, opportunities and risks, conceptualize new approaches and promote new ideas.

Excellent organizational skills.

Sound judgement; ability to quickly assess complex and fast-moving situations and developments and provide targeted and innovative advice.

Discretion and integrity.

Job Related Competencies (Desirable)

Knowledge of intellectual property issues and developments, particularly at the international level.

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.

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 October 2021 rate of 77.4%

D1

Annual salary

$100,800

Post adjustment

$78,019

Total Salary

$178,819

Currency USD

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

Additional Information

* Initial fixed-term appointment of two years, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and other applicable conditions. The incumbent of the post will be subject to an overall term of five years with no possibility of renewal beyond that term.

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.