Senior Counsellor

Contract

This is a P-5 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 10 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 204,886 USD and 256,769 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 oversee the administrative, logistical and other aspects of key meetings such as the WIPO General Assembly.

2. Purpose Statement

The Senior Counsellor supports the work of the Director of the Diplomatic Engagement and Assemblies Affairs Division in ensuring constructive diplomatic and political engagement with WIPO Member States and other stakeholders. The incumbent works very closely with the Director of the Division on the Organization’s Assemblies Affairs.

3. Reporting Lines

The incumbent works under the supervision of and reports directly to the Director, Diplomatic Engagement and Assemblies Affairs Division.

2. Duties and Responsibilities

The incumbent will perform the following principal duties:

a. identify, analyze, monitor and provide strategic advice to the Director of the Division on key developments and emerging issues in Member States’ IP substantive and technical discussions as well as the larger IP political landscape. Assess implications and make recommendations to senior management on possible policies, strategies and other measures to address issues of concern and to advance mandated objectives.

b. plan and organize the effective engagement and communication by the Director of the Division with Member States and other major stakeholders. Prepare summary and analytical reports including, but not limited to, situation reports, briefing notes, options papers, and political profiles.

c. establish, strengthen and maintain excellent relations with Member States’ representatives and other strategic stakeholders and partners. Substantively contribute to the development and implementation of sensitive or political communication strategies.

d. facilitate consultations with WIPO Group Coordinators and other Member States’ representatives on procedural and technical questions relating to WIPO Governing Bodies and other official meetings.

e. liaise with substantive sectors to ensure that the Director is appropriately briefed for all internal and external meetings and that he is kept informed on political and technical developments which require his attention.

f. ensure effective internal communication with the Sector Leads and managers.

g. represent the Director of the Division in internal and external meetings, seminars and conferences.

h. assist with formulating and managing the implementation of the program of work, including through support to planning and budgetary processes.

i. perform other administrative, representational and organizational tasks and related duties, as and when required.

3. Requirements

Education (Essential)

Advanced university degree in law, public or business administration, international relations, social sciences, development or a related discipline. A first-level university degree in any subject with two years of experience in addition to the required experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree.

Experience (Essential)

At least ten years of relevant professional experience, with a strong performance record, including in areas of international diplomacy, policy advice and international negotiation at senior level either in a national capacity or in an intergovernmental organization.

Experience in strategic planning preferably in areas relating to intellectual property.

Experience (Desirable)

Experience in both meetings/conference and event organization especially organization of high-level meetings.

Experience in managing people and financial resources for the efficient delivery of outcomes.

Language (Essential)

Excellent command of written and spoken English.

Language (Desirable)

Knowledge of other official UN languages.

Job Related Competencies (Essential)

Sound political judgment and ability to anticipate potential sensitivities. Discretion and integrity.

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

Excellent communication skills, demonstrated in an international context. Proven ability to maintain effective partnerships and working relations in a multicultural environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.

Excellent skills in planning, coordination and delivery of services, with the ability to work under pressure, respect deadlines and to handle multiple concurrent projects and activities.

Good awareness of recent technologies and their application to event management.

Competent user of Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) and the 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 April 2022 rate of 81.9%

P5

Annual salary

$90,664

Post adjustment

$74,254

Total Salary

$164,918

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.

___________________________________________________________________

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.