Title of Assignment: Partner Engagement Specialist
Name of unit/sector: Climate Change and Food Security Unit (CCFSU), Global Challenges and Partnerships Sector (GCPS)
Place of Assignment: WIPO HQ, Geneva, Switzerland preferred / remote with max. 3 hours time zone difference may be possible
Expected places of travel (if applicable): As relevant but limitedย
Expected duration of assignment: ย March/April to December 31, 2025, full time
1. Background
The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), a specialized UN agency, is the global forum for intellectual property policy (IP), services, information, and cooperation.ย
WIPO GREEN (WG) was launched in 2013 to promote the diffusion of green technology by facilitating connections between green technology โseekersโ and โproviders,โ i.e. those looking for green technology solutions, and those developing and/or providing them. At the heart of WG is its online marketplace, which hosts a wide range of green technologies from a worldwide pool of private and public sector contributors. It now has more than 130.000 entries. You will be part of a small but highly active, multidisciplinary, dynamic and spirited Climate Change and Food Security team.
WG partners with government institutions, intergovernmental organizations, academia, and companies โ from small enterprises to Fortune 500 companies. Each partner potentially brings in unique insight, expertise, and networks. The partner network is important for WG to increase its influence and reach new stakeholders, facilitate collaboration, and attract innovators and their solutions. In line with the new overall strategy of the unit, we wish to transform the partner network into a more active asset. This implies a new approach to partnerships, stepping up our engagement with specific partners and regional organizations, creation of national, regional and/or thematic partner groups, and establish finance and technology implementation partnerships. Our Ambassador Program is a new initiative to engage with local high profile industry leaders to promote WGโs work, expand our reach, and support the role of IP in green technology development and deployment. You will be part of developing and consolidating these activities as well and pursuing new ideas for strengthening our partner engagement and ensuring added benefits for them as well as for us.
2. Objective of the assignment
The incumbent supports, in collaboration with senior staff, WGโs partner engagement.
3. Main tasksย
In cooperation with other WG staff, the following tasks are expected to be performed:
a. Partner engagement:ย
โข Convene partners, amongst others through the organization of Advisory Board meetings in Q2 and Q3 of 2025;
โข Design the program of work of the renewed Core Committee, organize regular meetings starting in early 2025, and gather strategic feedback from the members;
โข Update the list of partners through regular contact and increase our awareness of their interest in and value for WG;
โข Identify and promote partner engagement opportunities such as responding to uploaded needs, reaching out in relation to relevant partner projects and activities, and promote partnerโs solutions in various channels, incl. social media;
โข Facilitate thematic, regional and national networks;
โข Assess the use of the Partnership Hub and regularly post content;
โข Identify and follow up with prospective partners in line with WG priorities;ย
โข Organize initial meetings with organizations interested in partnering, review, and process incoming partner requests and write up short internal introduction datasheets;
โข Support the work of the WG team to find, on-board and engage finance partners.ย
b. WG Ambassador program:
โข Reach out to IP offices and other relevant stakeholders to identify potential candidates for WG ambassadors in priority countries, coordinate meetings with potential candidates, and manage the internal appointment process.
โข Guide activities of the ambassadors, including welcome meetings with WIPOโs Senior Management; organize training sessions and/or information packages to equip ambassadors with knowledge, promotional materials, success stories, and data to advocate effectively for WG; coordinate campaigns and event facilitation of ambassadors to showcase WG; amplify ambassadorsโ work through WG communication channels and leverage ambassadorsโ work as spokespersons by making connections with several media channels for interviews, public discussions etc.
โข Monitor ambassadorsโ activities to assess progress and ensure impact and alignment with program goals.
c. Other tasks as required.
4. Reporting
The incumbent reports to the Head of the Climate Change and Food Security Unit.
5. Profile
โข Advanced university degree in a relevant field such as international relations/development, economics, climate change, environment;
โข At least six years of relevant work experience;
โข Experience with stakeholder engagement;
โข Network and knowledge of relevant stakeholders;
โข Track record of partner engagement in an international setting;
โข Good knowledge of and personal interest in climate change, food security, and environmental issues in general;
โข Good knowledge of and personal interest in green technology, innovation and technology transfer;
โข Open-minded, active, adaptive, self-propelled, diligent.ย
โข Excellent inter-personal and communication skills, orally and written, as well as ability to connect with a variety of companies and organizations at different levels and from all over the world;
โข Excellent organizational and coordination skills to keep everything running smoothly;
โข Excellent English communication skills. Working level use of other UN languages an advantage.
6. Duration of contract and payment
March/April to December 31, 2025.
Applicants are requested to provide an indication of their remuneration expectations in Swiss francs (daily rate).ย