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 position is located in the TISC Development Section of the Technology and Innovation Support Division in the IP for Innovators Department, IP and Innovation Ecosystems Sector. The Department is responsible for supporting researchers, innovators, universities and research institutions to use IP as a tool for growth and sustainable development. The Section is responsible for ensuring the sustainable development of Technology and Innovation Support Centers (TISCs).

b.    Purpose Statement

The main role of the post is to contribute to the sustainable development of TISCs by designing, developing, and ensuring the effective implementation of program and project activities to reinforce individual capabilities of TISC staff, including supporting the effective use of WIPO services and resources.

c.    Reporting Lines

The incumbent works under the supervision of the Head of the Section.

d.    Work Relations

The incumbent works in close coordination with other members of the Division and other parts of the Organization including the National and Regional Development, Global Challenges and Partnerships, Patents and Technology, and Infrastructure and Platforms Sectors and with government authorities designated to coordinate national TISC networks (“TISC focal points”) and representatives of TISC host institutions designated to manage specific TISCs (“TISC managers”).

2.      Duties and Responsibilities

The incumbent will perform the following principal duties:

a.   Design and develop program and project activities to reinforce individual capabilities of TISC staff, in particular within the framework of TISC Staff Certification, including by proposing new program and project activities and associated services and products and improvements to existing program and project activities and associated services and products for consideration by the Head of Section.

b.   Ensure the integration of activities to reinforce the individual capabilities of TISC staff and promote the effective use of WIPO services and resources (particularly the PCT, Madrid, and Hague systems) into development projects to build the capacities of national TISC networks and their members.

c.   Further develop, maintain, and ensure the consistent application of a competency framework defining the specific skills, knowledge, behaviors, and attributes required for TISC staff to effectively deliver services, including in the areas of IP search, IP analytics, IP management, IP commercialization, and IP licensing.

d.   Propose policies and guidelines for consideration by the Head of Section to support the development and continuous improvement of training resources and reference materials for TISC staff, in particular in the areas of IP search and new product development, taking into account the competency framework defined for TISC staff, the training needs of TISC staff, and best practices in training design and delivery.

e.   Participate in training seminars to reinforce the knowledge and skills of TISC staff, in particular in the areas of IP search and new product development.

f.    Maintain contacts with national TISC focal points and TISC managers to support the effective planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development projects to establish and build TISCs, including their capacity to support the effective use of WIPO services and resources.

g.   Perform other related duties as required.

3.      Requirements

Education (Essential)

First-level university degree in science, engineering, economics, law, international relations or related field.

Experience (Essential)

At least six years of relevant professional experience in the field of intellectual property and innovation.

At least two years of experience in designing, developing, and/or implementing training programs and/or projects in the field of intellectual property and/or innovation.

Experience (Desirable)

Experience in program and/or project management.

Experience working in and/or with institutions in developing countries.

Experience working with public sector organizations, in particular at the international level.