Program Officer

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 located in the Projects Team located in the Office of the Deputy Director General of the Regional and National Development Sector. The Sector is entrusted with a wide mandate to coordinate and promote the use of intellectual property for growth and development in developing, transition, and developed countries, and their relevant regions and sub-regions, and to support least developed counties (LDCs). The Projects Team ensures the timely and effective implementation of projects of strategic importance requested by Member States.

b.    Purpose Statement

Working closely with other members of the Projects Team, the Program Officer develops and delivers specific, targeted and strategic projects, which focus on the use of IP for development, responding to the needs of Member States and furthering the mandate of the Organization. The Projects Team ensures an effective and coordinated Organization-wide response to requests for assistance.

c.     Reporting Lines

The Program Officer works under the overall supervision of the Director of the Regional and National Development Sector (RNDS) Projects Team.

2.      Duties and Responsibilities

The incumbent will perform the following principal duties:

a.   Propose targeted, time bound and impactful projects designed to meet the needs of Member States and stakeholders. Ensure the design, management and monitoring aspects of projects are in accordance with WIPO results based framework.

b.   Closely liaise with Member States, Regional Divisions and other areas of WIPO in assessing needs of Member States in terms of development and technical assistance.

c.   Coordinate closely with different WIPO areas for the effective implementation, including technical and financial backstopping, of the developed projects, in liaison with Member States and beneficiaries. Troubleshoot, resolve and manage issues that may arise during implementation and adapt project design accordingly, with a view to its timely implementation and expected impact.

d.   Prepare materials for, and drafts of, speeches which communicate effectively themes, concepts and messages to highly diverse audiences. Conduct research and compile factual and illustrative material for the development of talking points for the high-level Diplomatic engagements of the Director General and the Deputy Director General.

e.   Prepare presentations suited to the audience and propose new templates and communication tools to support the clear and effective delivery of information and messages.

f.    Develop content that is suitable for the production of effective communications products (feature stories, videos etc.) that can be used across WIPO's digital platforms to build awareness of intellectual property and its contribution to sustainable development and wellbeing of stakeholders and communities. Liaise with the News and Media Division to this end.

g.   Keep well informed of new developments and issues concerning innovation, intellectual property, geopolitical developments and WIPO.

h.   Undertake official missions in the context of the delivery of technical assistance to Member States and stakeholders.

i.    Perform other related duties as required.

3.      Requirements

Education (Essential)

First-level university degree, preferably in public administration, law, economics, journalism or communication studies.

Experience (Essential)

At least six years of relevant professional experience in the areas of project design and management or administration or international diplomacy, at the national and international levels.

Language (Essential)

Excellent knowledge of English

Language (Desirable)

Good knowledge of Spanish

Job Related Competencies (Essential)

Excellent and proven project design management skills ideally in development context.

Excellent communication and drafting skills, including the proven ability to convey complex information in clear and interesting terms, and to tailor its communication to a variety of audiences.

Ability to identify mandate implementation opportunities and conceptualize new approaches and promote new ideas to advance the Organization's mandate through the implementation of projects.

Excellent liaison, communication and interpersonal skills and the ability to establish, build and maintain effective partnerships and working relations across the Secretariat, with sensitivity and respect for diversity.

Excellent organizational skills.

Excellent research and analytical skills.

Good knowledge of social media and other communication related tools and platforms.

Sound judgment and the ability to work under pressure with complex issues and deliver impact on the ground.

Discretion and integrity.

Political sensitivity.

Competent user of Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) and Social Media platform.

Job Related Competencies (Desirable)

Knowledge of intellectual property issues and developments, particularly at the international level.

Knowledge of WIPO strategic priorities, implementation constraints and opportunities.

Knowledge of the UN system.

4.     Organizational Competencies

1.       Communicating effectively.

2.       Showing team spirit.

3.       Demonstrating integrity.

4.       Valuing diversity.

5.       Producing results.

6.       Showing service orientation.

7.