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 Cooperation on Examination and Training Section of the PCT International Cooperation Division (PCT ICD), PCT Legal and International Affairs Department, Patents and Technology Sector. The Division is responsible for the development and implementation of cooperation activities vis-à-vis Offices of PCT Member States in their capacities as Receiving Offices, International Searching and Preliminary Examining Authorities, and Designated and Elected Offices as well as WIPO Member States that pursue accession to the PCT, with a view to contributing to the efficient functioning of the PCT system and promoting a better understanding of the PCT and the patent system among IP Offices’ staff, practitioners and users, covering inter alia operational, technical, procedural, legal and training activities.

The Cooperation on Examination and Training Section is responsible for the internal and external coordination and provision of technical assistance for substantive examination of patent applications and related training programs to build capacity of IP Offices of PCT Member States, inter alia developing and least-developed countries, and countries in transition, in particular with regard to the examination of international applications filed under the PCT which have entered the national phase before such Offices.  The section is also responsible for the technical assistance relating to substantive examination of patent applications provided through WIPO’s International Cooperation on Examination (ICE) program.

b.         Purpose Statement

The incumbent performs internal and external coordination, development, facilitation and performance of international technical cooperation activities related to substantive examination of patent applications (national examination of PCT international applications, Paris Convention route applications and national applications) for IP Offices of PCT Member States, inter alia developing, least-developed countries, and countries in transition, including trainings.

c.         Reporting Lines

The incumbent works under the direct supervision of the Director of the Division, and coordinates closely on work priorities and deliverables with the Senior Program Officers in the team.

d.         Work Relations

The incumbent works closely with different areas of the Patent and Technology Sector as well as with other WIPO Sectors, officials from IP Offices, and other internal and external stakeholders.

2.     Duties and Responsibilities

The incumbent will perform the following principal duties:

a.  Manage and implement technical assistance activities for IP Offices of developing, least-developed countries, and countries with economies in transition, related to the substantive examination of patent applications. This includes providing support in relation to substantive patent examiner training activities: (i) preparation of training contents and materials (e.g. slide deck and/or quizzes); (ii) facilitation of the trainings; and (iii) coordination of the promotion of the trainings/projects, in particular on social media, in coordination with all dedicated internal units across the Organization.

b.  Monitor the ICE dedicated email account (i.e. manage communications between requester and donor offices); oversee the preparation of search and examination reports by donor offices; coordinate the maintenance of the ICD website/webpage and update ICE forms.

c.  Engage with beneficiary countries (i.e. developing, least-developed countries and countries in transition) to assist them in fostering building legislative foundations supporting substantive patent examination, drafting/updating search and examination manuals and guidelines for the use of external patent examination work products from other national phases.

d.  Coordinate, under the supervision of the Senior Program Officers, the development of eLearning management tools and infrastructure (e.g. competency framework) and related model training components/curricula for IP Offices to guide them in training their substantive patent examiners. This includes designing and implementing platforms/networks for international cooperation among such patent examiners; assessing their needs to design tailored curricula; monitoring the inventory of training resources available or tools suitable for the purpose of substantive patent examiner training; coordinating with the WIPO Academy on the preparation of distance learning courses for substantive patent examiners. Engage with partner and beneficiary IP Offices and promote the use of these eLearning management tools and infrastructure through the platforms and networks.

e.  Participate in and contribute to international discussions relating to substantive patent examination.

f.   Coordinate with the Customer Experience Section of WIPO the evaluation surveys for the webinars and prepare the corresponding reports. Identify and propose relevant metrics and tools to measure the impact of the activities delivered by the Section.

g.  Prepare regular progress and/or performance reports on activities undertaken.

h.  Foster a culture of providing high quality customer-focused services by identifying varying customer needs, recommending best practices which can improve customer interactions, including by using insights from the surveys and impact assessments in place, and, proactively addressing potential issues before they impact the customer experience.

i.   Perform other related duties as required.

3.     Requirements

Education (Essential)

First-level university degree in natural sciences, engineering, computer and/or information science, law, or related field.

Education (Desirable)

First-level university degree in intellectual property law or intellectual property management.

Experience (Essential)

At least six years of relevant professional experience including in patent search and examination at national or international levels, including the use of foreign examination results.

Experience in planning, coordinating or delivering training on substantive patent examination.

Experience (Desirable)

Experience of international cooperation, coordination and liaising with intellectual property offices, e.g. experience in preparing documents for consideration by intellectual property offices officials and/or international bodies.

Experience in patent drafting and drafting office actions and office actions responses and objections for pending patent applications, as well as in hearings, opposition and appeal procedures as part of patent prosecution.

Experience in establishing PCT International Search Reports and Written Opinions.

Experience in prior art search and examination of patent applications in the field of biotechnology, pharmaceutical engineering, computer implemented inventions or artificial intelligence.

Experience of working in an international environment.

Experience in competency-based learning management and/or with learning management systems.

Language (Essential)

Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English.

Language (Desirable)

Knowledge of other PCT publication languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish).

Job Related Competencies (Essential)

Excellent communication, and interpersonal skills and ability to maintain effective internal and external partnerships and working relations in a multi-cultural environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity, including with officials at all levels.

Tact and discretion.