Senior Director, Department for Development Cooperation

Overview

Lead WIPO's Development Cooperation efforts effectively and strategically

You have:

• Advanced university degree in science, engineering, law, economics, humanities, international relations, development studies or related discipline.
• At least 15 years’ professional work experience in IP and Innovation, policy-making, diplomacy, international cooperation, development or related area.
• Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English.
• Experience in developing and implementing National IP and innovation strategies.
• Knowledge of other official UN languages.
• Excellent communication, presentation and interpersonal skills in a multi-cultural environment.
• Excellent managerial skills and ability to manage diverse and multicultural teams.
• Strong decision-making skills and the ability to work under pressure and tight deadlines.
• Competent user of Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint).

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.

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 Department for Development Cooperation Regional and National Development Sector.

The Department, through the Regional Divisions, is the gateway for Member States of the Organization, facilitating two-way communication and cooperation across WIPO; and supporting them in the development and implementation of policy in the context of effective IP ecosystems. It works with Members States and stakeholders to strengthen capacity and to use IP as a tool for growth and development in an impactful manner.

b. Purpose Statement

The Senior Director serves as the coordinator of the Organization’s primary interface with its Member States through the Regional Divisions. As such, the Senior Director sets the strategy and tone for this critical role under the overall guidance of the Deputy Director General of the Regional and National Development Sector, ensuring that the Department contributes to WIPO’s mandate. The Senior Director uses their understanding of the needs and situation of Member States to ensure the implementation of targeted projects and activities in Member States across Regions with respect to both industrial property and copyright and related rights.

The Senior Director provides oversight and strategic guidance of the Regional Divisions, the RNDS Project Team and the coordination of copyright development issues to achieve timely, effective, and efficient achievement of expected results in accordance with the Program and Budget.

c. Reporting Lines

The incumbent works under the supervision of the Deputy Director General (DDG) of the Regional and National Development Sector.

2. Duties and Responsibilities

The incumbent will perform the following principal duties:

a. Lead the management of the Organization’s development related assistance by charting the direction for program development and delivery; gaining organizational traction and trust in the Department’s leadership, building partnerships that marshal critical inputs and creating synergies of action.

b. Lead the strategic management of the Department’s portfolio of work and have overall responsibility for its human and financial resources, maximizing available resources for mandate implementation in as efficient and effective a manner as possible and fostering a harmonious and productive workplace.

c. Maintain and promote engagement with Member States and other stakeholders, including at senior levels, building understanding of the role of IP as a powerful tool for growth and development and how WIPO’s program and activities can assist in leveraging IP.

d. Provide strategic guidance and support to the Regional Divisions, the Projects Team and the Copyright Development Coordinator to ensure the development and implementation of coherent and relevant work plans that realize WIPO’s expected results in an efficient and effective manner in line with WIPO’s results framework, bearing in mind national development goals and priorities.

e. Ensure close, coherent, and effective coordination and cooperation between the Regional Divisions, the Projects Team and the Copyright Development Coordinator with other Sectors and work units to ensure the realization of the vital gateway function of the Regional and National Development Sector.

f. Identify synergies and similarities across regions for enhanced mandate implementation and foster strategic cooperation among Regional Divisions that leverage these opportunities. Identify strategic opportunities for the delivery of specific and targeted projects in Member States that address national needs and requests, and which result in impact on the ground for stakeholders.

g. Represent the Organization and participate in various regional and/or country fora and strategic deliberations, meetings, and seminars.

h. Perform other duties as necessary.

3. Requirements

Education (Essential)

Advanced university degree in science, engineering, law, economics, humanities international relations, development studies or related discipline. A first-level university degree plus two years of relevant experience in addition to the experience requested below may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience (Essential)

At least 15 years’ professional work experience gained in the field of intellectual property (IP) and Innovation, policy-making, diplomacy, international cooperation, development or related area, including experience in the field of IP cooperation for development.

Experience with and knowledge of the innovation, creative, social, and economic systems in one or more Member States or regions.

Experience or familiarity with the administration of national or regional IP offices and/or the development of national or regional innovation ecosystems.

Proven experience leading and managing diverse teams.

Experience (Desirable)

Experience in developing and implementing National IP and innovation strategies.

Language (Essential)

Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English.

Language (Desirable)

Knowledge of other official UN languages.

Job Related Competencies (Essential)

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

Excellent managerial skills and ability to advise, lead and motivate and manage diverse and multicultural teams.

Sound judgment, tact, discretion and an excellent understanding and appreciation of diplomatic processes and sensitivities.

Strong decision-making skills and the ability to work under pressure and tight deadlines.

Excellent analytical abilities and the ability to identify synergies and strategic opportunities to further mandate implementation, including across geographic regions.

Ability to cultivate innovation and manage change.

Proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives and accountability in delivering results.

Competent user of Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) and the internet.

Good understanding of the principles and application of project management.

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 February 2024 rate of 89.****7%

D2

Annual salary

$114,666

Post adjustment

$102,855

Total Salary

$217,521

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