Head, Technology Transfer Section

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

    

   Coordinating with other vertical and horizontal WIPO sectors, the IP and Innovation Ecosystems Sector (IES) is responsible for helping Member States develop their IP and innovation ecosystems to drive enterprise and economic growth. IES is also responsible for providing support for researchers and innovators, as well as enterprises, including SMEs, in IP commercialization and otherwise using IP for business growth; issues relating to the emergence of IP as an asset class; and the development of advisory expertise in these and related areas, for example, in national IP strategies.

    

   Within IES, the post is located in the Technology Transfer Section (TTS), in the IP for Innovators' Department which contributes to the strategic focus to help establish frameworks, structures and capabilities to support innovators and creators in using intellectual property (IP) systems as a tool for sustainable growth and development, through enabling IP and innovation ecosystems that support innovators, creators and other IP users to maximize the value of their IP assets. The TTS is primarily responsible for promoting the successful transfer of IP and technologies from creators to users by developing a favorable legal framework, institutional IP policies, reinforcing structures, channels and capabilities of human capital in a socially responsible way.

    

   1. Purpose Statement

       

      The main role of the incumbent is to lead the work of the Section and collaborate closely with the WIPO senior management, and staff in other relevant Sectors of WIPO, to develop and deliver projects on the effective utilization of the IP system, the promotion of successful technology transfer, for bringing new technical solutions to the market and for the support of innovation in general.

       

      1. Reporting Lines

          

         The incumbent works under the supervision of the Senior Director of the IP for Innovators Department.

          

         1. Work Relations

             

            The incumbent collaborates closely with IP and other related organizations in the Member States, innovation stakeholders and users of IP outcomes, as well as with third party technology transfer experts.  S/he also works in close coordination with other members of IES and other Sectors and Departments of the Organization, including the Regional and National Development Sector (RNDS), Global Challenges and Partnerships Sector (GCPS), Patents and Technology Sector (PTS).

             

             

            2.      Duties and Responsibilities

             

            The incumbent will perform the following principal duties:

             

            a.   Lead the work of WIPO in the field of technology transfer while coordinating with different key stakeholders in bringing discoveries from the laboratories to businesses and entrepreneurs capable of transforming the inventions into products and services for the benefit of society.

             

            📚 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗮 𝗝𝗼𝗯 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗡 𝗶𝗻 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯! 🌍🤝 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗿𝘂𝗶𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗡 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝘀𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗨𝗡𝗛𝗖𝗥, 𝗪𝗙𝗣, 𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗖𝗘𝗙, 𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗦𝗦, 𝗨𝗡𝗙𝗣𝗔, 𝗜𝗢𝗠 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀! 🌐

            ⚠️ 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐍𝐨𝐰: 𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐢𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐚 𝐣𝐨𝐛 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐍𝐎𝐖!

            b.   Initiate, design, plan and manage, in coordination and collaboration with Member States, the implementation of national projects on Technology Transfer and on the establishment of IP Institutional Policies for Universities and Research Institutions aimed at long-term impact in the area of technology transfer and successful commercialization of IP at national and regional levels, including the design of different learning resources and tools for the capacity building for innovators and creators in Member States regarding the establishment, sustainability and business success of IP rights management infrastructures.

             

            c.   As a project leader, provide expert advice, innovative ways and recommendations to the Senior Director of the Department on enhancing the Organization's work in the area of technology transfer, formulate priorities, and oversee the Department's support to innovators and creators in the field of technology transfer by identifying in coordination with relevant stakeholders new opportunities for the development of commercialization and IP assets management strategies, including the drafting and negotiation of different models of agreements.

             

            d.   Provide advice and guidance to Member States on the design of policies in the field of innovation and technology transfer, including required legislative assistance thereof. In order to do this, special consideration will be given to the situation of the local innovation ecosystem, the existence of innovation hubs and its connections with global innovation hubs, the level of development of the country and related IP normative framework.

             

            e.   Coordinate and maintain regular contacts with Member States and other stakeholders (including academic, researches, technology managers, funders and potential licensees and early stage investors, amongst others) of the innovation ecosystems regarding the establishment, further development and expansion of institutional IP policy frameworks, human capital i.e., improving the profession of those dedicated to technology transfer, management structures, channels and capabilities for technology transfer, licensing, commercialization and IPR management of intangibles assets.

             

            f.    Create and manage strategic partnerships and cooperation agreements as well as engage with Member States, regional and international organizations and institutions and relevant internal organizational units to build partnerships, strengthen linkages with key stakeholders, advance program and organizational objectives, and advocate for and ensure the implementation of programs of assistance in the field of technology transfer for developing countries, least-developed countries and countries in transition.

             

            g.   Manage the Section's workplans, set performance indicators, determine priorities and assign work, ensuring the timely and quality delivery of work products in accordance with commitments and results-based management, in particular with regard to the development of specific and innovative programs of assistance in the field of technology transfer, determining overall strategic direction and priorities in this area and, formulating policy in this respect.

             

            h.   Represent the Department at meetings, conferences and other events organized by WIPO, its Member States or other organizations; provide advice and lead training courses and workshops, advocate on issues relevant to enabling the different actors of the innovation system use, and manage and exploit the intellectual property system to maximize returns from their inventive, innovative and creative output.

             

            i.    Perform other related duties as required.

             

             

            3.      Requirements

             

            Education (Essential)

            Advanced university degree, preferably in law, business management, international relations, economics, engineering, science or in a related field.  A first-level university degree plus two years of experience in addition to the experience requested below may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

             

            Experience (Essential)

            At least ten years of relevant professional experience in technology transfer or IP management and commercialization in the research context, including in programs or project management