Consultant in IP Management for AI and Agriculture Innovators

Title of assignment: Consultant in IP Management for AI and Agriculture Innovators

Name of unit/sector: IP for Business Division (IPBD) - IP and Innovation Ecosystems Sector

Place of assignment: Home based, MENA Countries

Expected places of travel (if applicable): Malaysia, Philippines or Thailand

Expected duration of assignment: 6 months, starting in August 2025, with possibility of renewal under proposed framework agreement

1. Objective of the assignment

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) aims to improve the understanding on intellectual property (IP) management. It develops tools for managing IP Rights (IPRs) throughout the innovation process, from ideation, development, manufacturing, branding to marketing of products in specific industries.  These include, but not limited to, innovative, creative, green and IP-intensive industries. 

WIPO initiated the IP Management Clinic Program (IPMC) to help companies effectively and strategically use IP in support of their entrepreneurial activities. 

The overall objective of this assignment is to support companies in the agriculture sector from Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand that already possess a portfolio of intangible assets.  The goal is to help them understand what an effective IP management plan entails for business growth.  The assignment will also provide them with IP and business training, as well as access to IPOS and IPBD practical tools and resources, to upskill their IP knowledge. 

The support will include tailored, practical workshops on topics of interest to the selected group of companies, one-on-one mentoring services, and documenting analysis of the companies’ IP management strategies to identify for improvement.  The analysis will focus on IP-related aspects of AI use in the agriculture sector from the perspective of an IPR holder and user of third parties’ IPRs.  The services will clearly highlight the connection between IPRs, product development and business strategy, as well as provide practical suggestions for actionable responses.

2. Expected outputs a. Strategic and practical advice to the participating companies regarding IP development and management strategies and other related areas. b. Report(s) including product/technology profiles and IP-related analysis and feedback to assigned companies.  

3. Scope of work/methodology WIPO will assign the Contractor up to five specific companies. The Contractor is expected to liaise with the assigned company, take stock of existing elements of IP management strategy and identify areas for improvement.  The Contractor is expected to conclude a non-disclosure agreement with the company and should ensure that no confidential information is disclosed during the documentation and at the event. In particular, the Contractor is expected to execute the following Guidance and Mentorship Services:    i. Organize at least three one-on-one sessions with the assigned company and provide support in development of IP strategies by:  • Taking stock of the IP portfolio and IP strategies, related to the use of AI in the agricultural or agritech sector.   • guiding the companies in gathering relevant information and reaching IP decisions  • providing recommendations    ii. Prepare a report for the assigned company that documents the initial status of the strategy and identifies areas for improvement.  The report should include practical and actionable IP recommendations.  The analysis shall be written in English and be around five pages per product/technology..    iii. Organize one tailored workshop during the program regarding the use of AI in the agriculture sector. 
     iv. Provide specific inputs and feedback for program improvement.  

4. Reporting 

The Contractor will report to senior staff of the IP for Business Division (IPBD). 

5. Roles and responsibilities
 
WIPO will select participating companies and provide initial communication support.  
The Contractor will submit all draft deliverables for comments and approval before finalization and dissemination. 

6. Expertise

The Contractor should have:

• Thorough knowledge of IP, innovation, artificial intelligence and business management;
• Extensive experience in advising businesses, including startups and SMEs in developing IP strategies, preferably related to AI use in agriculture for markets across the ASEAN region;
• Experience in mentoring and advisory services;
• In-depth understanding of the business contexts/environments in the ASEAN region and in international markets;
• Excellent command of written and spoken English;
• Additional languages such as Filipino, Malay or Thai would be an asset.

7. Travel and other arrangements 

 
WIPO will bear the costs in connection with any mission to be undertaken in the period of this contract.  In accordance with WIPO travel rules, travel by air shall be in economy class.  You will also receive a daily subsistence allowance at the applicable United Nations rate to cover local subsistence costs (hotel accommodation, meals, etc.) for each night of the official travel, as well as the terminal expense to cover miscellaneous costs for official trips related to the contractual arrangements (assignments hereafter), to and from the airport.

8. Publicity  

 
The Contractor is at liberty to create and disseminate case studies based on the contractual arrangements under this Framework Agreement, provided always that (i) no confidential information belonging to the companies involved in the contractual arrangements is disclosed, (ii) the identity of the companies involved in the contractual arrangements is anonymized, and (iii) the disclosed information is to be used only for non-commercial purposes.

9. Duration of contract and payment
 
The initial assignment is expected to last 6 months, starting in August 2025, with the possibility of renewal.
Following this period, the consultant may be engaged through a framework agreement for the provision of services as and when needed by WIPO. The proposed duration of the Framework Agreement is five years. It is expressly understood that WIPO does not guarantee any minimum quantity of services under the Framework Agreement and the Consultant shall be engaged only as and when required.

For the deliverables/services described in paragraph 3 above, WIPO shall pay the price agreed upon for the assignment, depending on the number of companies assigned. 

Applicants are requested to indicate their remuneration expectations in Swiss francs, expressed as a fee per company to be mentored (representing approximately 5 to 7 hours of work). 

10. Other information

 
ICS providers fall outside the coverage of employment contracts for WIPO Staff members and are not subject to the WIPO Staff Regulations and Rules. The ICS provider has no entitlement to vacation or sick leave (except for WIPO official holidays), or to medical insurance or a staff pension.