Senior Program Officer

Overview

Support institutional relations and outreach of WIPO services.

You have:

• Advanced university degree in business, science, literature and arts or related fields.
• At least seven years of relevant professional experience including substantial experience in the promotion and communication concerning IP goods and services.
• Excellent written and spoken knowledge of English.
• Knowledge of French or Spanish.
• Ability to represent the Organization and to provide policy and technical advice and guidance.
• Good knowledge of project management methodologies.
• Good knowledge of the business and administrative procedures of IP industries in different fields.
• Good knowledge of promotional and communication skills in the IP environment.
• Good understanding of evaluation techniques including surveys and other tools measuring the use of different IP goods and services.
• Excellent analytical and organizational skills.
• Ability to work on own initiative and as a member of a team.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Good interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and working relations in a multi-cultural environment with sensibility and respect for diversity.

Contract

This is a P-4 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 7 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 173,480 USD and 223,666 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 Section for Coordination of Developed Countries in the Division for Transition and Developed Countries (TDC). TDC provides advisory services, capacity building, awareness raising and technical assistance towards the implementation of cooperation programs and the widespread access to and use of services provided by WIPO in Central European, Baltic States, Mediterranean, Caucasian, Central Asian and Eastern European and Transition and Developed Countries. In doing so, it pays special attention to customizing its activities to the different IP ecosystems in the countries concerned.

The Section for Coordination of Developed Countries focuses on bringing the WIPO services and developments to the attention of a broader audience in developed countries, as well as strengthening the institutional relations with developed countries. It has a coordinating role internally, working with other programs and services, and an institutional, outreach and promotional role externally. Closely linked to this promotional role, the Section is focused on measuring the impact of its outreach activities on the use of WIPO services.

2. Purpose Statement

The incumbent provides support to the management of the Section by contributing to the overall direction and oversight of information aimed at strengthening the institutional relations with the countries concerned and bringing WIPO services and initiatives to their stakeholders, with particular emphasis on the underserviced, such as SMEs, women, and youth. In doing so, special attention will be paid to current and potential partnerships with private sector and industries, the use of modern IT tools for the benefits of both right holders and the Offices and the development of impactful projects adapted to different IP ecosystems. The incumbent further advises on and contributes to the planning and execution of the programs of the Section.

3. Reporting Lines

The incumbent works under the supervision of the Head of the Section.

2. Duties and Responsibilities

The incumbent will perform the following principal duties:

a. Provide support to innovators, communities, research institutions and academia by presenting to them, in collaboration with the Units concerned, WIPO tools and initiatives in a customized way.

b. Support the development of partnerships aimed at increasing the balance and efficiency of IP ecosystems, including by means of trilateral collaboration involving stakeholders from developed and developing countries.

c. Analyze and interpret trends in selected countries or groups of countries to identify their need for cooperation and outreach programs. Provide advice to the Head of Section in formulating, proposing and implementing strategies and activities to promote the use of intellectual property, and notably WIPO services, in light of the requirements in the IP ecosystems concerned.

d. Represent the Organization at meetings and conferences related IP and the use of WIPO services; advocate WIPO policy, provide advice and recommendations on specific aspects the use of the global IP system.

e. Support the preparation of the Section's work plan, set performance indicators in collaboration with the Head of Section; monitor the implementation of the work plan and prepare performance reports and strategic plans.

f. Undertake analysis and develop proposals for the more effective outreach of WIPO services in developed countries, with special focus of underserviced stakeholders such as women, youth and SMEs. Analyze trends and means for the promotion of IP goods and services, including in regard to social media, and examine strategies to adapt the promotional effort to different target audiences and local contexts.

g. Evaluate the effect of the promotional activities of the Section, both online and in situ, by designing surveys and other means of assessment. Measure the impact of the promotional events in the registration activity of companies, economic sectors and countries and treat and interpret such information to provide useful feedback to different WIPO Units.

h. Develop proposals for WIPO programs and coordinate in-house support and advice on IPR policy in specific countries.

i. Develop and maintain close relations with stakeholders in developed countries and provide policy and procedural advice on the promotion of IP and the means to increase the balance and efficiency of different IP ecosystems. Identify opportunities to strengthen cooperation in the field of IPRs with countries and intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations.

j. Develop close relations and coordinate activities with public authorities representing developed countries, including IP Offices and Member State representatives with a view to improving the coordination, promotion and delivery of WIPO services and programs.

k. Plan and organize seminars, workshops and awareness raising events, including preparation of documents and delivery of lectures, and facilitate the educational activities of the WIPO Academy in developed countries.

l. Perform other related duties as required.

3. Requirements

Education (Essential)

Advanced university degree in business, science, literature and arts or related fields. A first-level degree plus two years of experience in addition to the required experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree.

Experience (Essential)

At least seven years of relevant professional experience including substantial experience in the promotion and communication concerning IP goods and services.

Knowledge of IP industries in developed countries as well as experience in working with relevant IP stakeholders.

Experience and understanding of different means to reach out effectively to IP stakeholders.

Language (Essential)

Excellent written and spoken knowledge of English.

Language (Desirable)

Knowledge of French or Spanish.

Job Related Competencies (Essential)

Ability to represent the Organization and to provide policy and technical advice and guidance.

Good knowledge of project management methodologies.

Good knowledge of the business and administrative procedures of IP industries in different fields.

Good knowledge of promotional and communication skills in the IP environment.

Good understanding of evaluation techniques including surveys and other tools measuring the use of different IP goods and services.

Excellent analytical and organizational skills.

Ability to work on own initiative and as a member of a team.

Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

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

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 2022 rate of 82.8%

P4

Annual salary

$75,602

Post adjustment

$62,598

Total Salary

$138,200

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