Senior Director

Overview

Lead the strategic direction and development of PCT stakeholder relations and services.

You have:

• Advanced university degree in Law, Science, Engineering or related field.
• At least fifteen years of progressively responsible professional experience in intellectual property, preferably in both public and private sectors.
• At least twelve years as a subject matter expert in an international environment in the field of substantive PCT procedures and programme management or administration.
• Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English.
• Ability to work in other PCT languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian or Spanish).

Contract

This is a D-2 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 16 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 268,643 USD and 323,784 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.

The deadline for applications has been extended until February 16, 2024.

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

a. Organizational Setting

The post is in the PCT Legal and International Affairs Department of the Patents and Technology Sector. This Department is responsible for the development of policies and the provision of strategic direction to preserve and strengthen the role of the PCT as the central node in the international patent system, and to support the PCT system stakeholders, including Member States (receiving Offices, International Searching and Preliminary Examining Authorities, and designated and elected Offices), the user community, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations. The Department's optimal functioning is paramount to the international patent system and to supporting and encouraging the many users of that system, as well as States considering accession to the PCT.

b. Purpose Statement

As Senior Director of the Department, the incumbent takes full responsibility for the management and development of PCT stakeholder relations, the PCT legal framework, systemic standards and improvements, training and capacity building, PCT marketing and customer service, information sharing and associated resources, and information and communication technology (ICT) tools and systems. With significant delegation, the Senior Director leads a team of managers in diverse operational and service areas who share decision-making on program priorities and policy initiatives, leveraging the organizational position of the PCT with rapidly evolving technologies and diverse client communities and beneficiaries.

c. Reporting Lines

The incumbent works under the supervision of the Deputy Director General responsible for the Patents and Technology Sector.

d. Work Relations

The Senior Director liaises frequently with senior-level representatives of PCT and non-PCT Member States, national and regional IP Offices, NGOs, IGOs, applicants and their representatives and Geneva-based Missions to ensure stakeholder needs are met.

2. Duties and Responsibilities

The incumbent will perform the following principal duties:

a. Chart the strategic direction for PCT legal and international development and delivery. Strengthen WIPO's current position in the international patent system by driving initiatives that will maintain and enhance the PCT system as the premier global IP service. Lead change and develop improved organizational response capacities. Anticipate future challenges and adjust to changes in the international innovation, IP and patent environment.

b. Sustain, expand, improve and create PCT products and services to meet and exceed client expectations while anticipating new requirements to maintain the platform as a cutting-edge resource.

c. Direct the Department's portfolio of work, exercise strategic asset management focusing on efficiencies and deploy resources into value-added activities and initiatives in accordance with results-based management principles.

d. Manage and provide strategic direction to the entire spectrum of the Department's highly visible areas of work and activities. Empower an integrated management team to act creatively and deliver a world-class PCT system with critical operational and financial consequences within a scrutinized and dynamic environment.

e. Ensure that all relevant stakeholders continue to rely upon the PCT system as the world's leading route for obtaining patent protection at the international level.

f. Lead the development and execution of a Strategic Marketing Plan (SMP) for PCT. Determine the most effective way to reach target audiences to encourage PCT stakeholders to choose the PCT international route when deciding on filing a patent application.

g. Lead and motivate the Department's staff, and foster an organizational culture oriented towards the continual search for innovative approaches to complex PCT challenges and quality service delivery in a constantly evolving operational environment. Promote cross-divisional and cross-sectoral work and staff mobility for the benefit of WIPO, staff, Member States, and stakeholders.

h. Lead strategic engagement with the WIPO Member States and Geneva Missions. Advance understanding, and build confidence, and enthusiasm for the Organization's state-of-the-art PCT system to expand the user base.

i. Represent WIPO at high-level international, regional and national meetings. Provide strategic and authoritative advice regarding organizational position, opportunities and risks, demonstrating the highest value to clients, stakeholders and beneficiaries in relation to their interest and investment.

j. Perform other related duties as required.

3. Requirements

Education (Essential)

Advanced university degree in Law, Science, Engineering or related field. A first-level university degree plus two years of relevant experience in addition to the experience required below may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience (Essential)

At least fifteen years of progressively responsible professional experience in intellectual property, preferably in both public and private sectors, preferably at least twelve years, as a subject matter expert, in an international environment in the field of substantive PCT procedures and programme management or administration, including in a senior managerial capacity. Experience creating and promoting a resilient workforce that can adapt to unforeseen challenges, building an agile and responsive team.

Experience (Desirable)

Experience working with national IP offices and in the private sector. Experience using the PCT system

Language (Essential)

Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English.

Language (Desirable)

Ability to work in other PCT languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian or Spanish).

Job Related Competencies (Essential)

Excellent understanding of the strategic priorities of WIPO. Excellent knowledge of, and experience with, the PCT from either the perspective of an intellectual property office, a corporate or individual user of the system or an intergovernmental organization; skills in formulating policy and developing and implementing new strategies and procedures; skills in managing change. Ability to gain and advance organization traction among clients and stakeholders by demonstrating innovation, effectiveness and value. Ability to instill a customer focused culture with a view to enhancing service delivery. Strategic planning skills; results-based and ability to anticipate constraints in the delivery of services and identify solutions; accountability in delivering results. Proven managerial and leadership skills; ability to advise and lead large and diverse work teams, motivating staff, promoting interest and engagement; empowering teams by involving them in decision-making processes, fostering a sense of ownership, and encouraging individual growth. Ability to lead by example and demonstrate proactive behaviors by staying updated on industry trends, seeking continuous improvement, and taking initiative.

Excellent decision-making, problem-solving skills and diplomacy skills. Excellent and proven knowledge of operational, administrative and financial procedures, practices and rules in stakeholder organizations. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and ability to build and maintain strong partnerships and working relations in a multicultural environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity. Ability to leverage data and technology to inspire, innovate and drive departmental success and growth. Proficiency in managing diverse teams and leveraging diversity to foster inclusive group dynamics and inclusive outcomes.

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 December 2023 rate of 87,7%.

D2

Annual salary

USD 114,466

Post adjustment

USD 100,562

Total Salary

USD 215,228

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.

Potential interview questions