Senior Director, WIPO Academy

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.

a.    Organizational Setting

The post is located in the WIPO Academy in the Regional and National Development Sector. The WIPO Academy is composed of the IP eLearning and Internal Training Division, which comprises the IP eLearning Section and Internal Training Section; the Academic Institutions and Executive Program; and the Intellectual Property Training Institutions Program. 

The WIPO Academy is the core entity within WIPO for training and capacity-building activities, particularly for developing countries, LDCs and countries with economies in transition.  The Academy acts as an in-house center of excellence on training, including professional training; a catalyst for networks and partnerships to expand the range and impact of training opportunities at the national level; an open-access on-line clearing house of information on all WIPO training activities, tools and services; and a hub of virtual network of partners, experts and teachers in development-oriented IP training.  Beneficiaries of the WIPO Academy services include decision-makers, government officials, members of national intellectual property offices and societies for collective management of copyright and related rights, intellectual property practitioners, academics, students, staff and other stakeholders.

b.    Purpose Statement

The Senior Director leads the world’s largest provider of IP education, training and skills-development. As such, the incumbent sets the strategy and tone for this critical role and takes full responsibility for leading and efficiently managing the operations of the Academy. The Director ensures that the Academy delivers the highest quality educational and training services for WIPO Member States and other stakeholders guided by WIPO’s strategic objectives and goals. The Senior Director is also responsible for ensuring that the Academy adapts timely and adequately to the evolving landscape of education and training making functional use of emerging technologies in this area.

c.    Reporting Lines

The Senior Director works under the supervision of the Deputy Director General responsible for the Regional and National Development Sector.

The incumbent will perform the following principal duties:

a.   Direct the WIPO Academy’s portfolio of work and take overall management responsibility for its human and financial resources, determining priorities and allocating resources for the timely and quality delivery of work in accordance with the result-based management framework.

b.   Oversee the development of strategies and policies to ensure that activities of the WIPO Academy are in line with its mandate and respond to the priority needs of the WIPO Member States and other stakeholders.

c.   Ensure that the WIPO Academy continues as the leading global provider of IP education, training and skills-development and as the core organizational unit within WIPO for IP education and training.

d.   Forge partnerships and collaborations to allow the programs and methodologies of the WIPO Academy to scale and reach a global audience.

e.   Provide strategic leadership to the newly created programs relating to Intellectual Property Training Institutions and the Executive Programs.

f.    Provide strategic guidance on policies and initiatives relating to the work and mandates of the Internal Training Section to develop and enhance the skills and competencies of WIPO staff to deal with the evolving requirements of their duties and responsibilities.

g.   Oversee the strategic engagement with key stakeholders and partners for the development of institutional agreements and partnerships to expand the range, impact and geographical reach of IP education and training programs in WIPO Member States.

h.   Lead actions to ensure that the WIPO Academy’s brand name and competence in the area of IP education, training and skills-development continues to be recognized and appreciated globally.

i.    Promote the WIPO Academy’s suite of services in multiple languages taking into account gender and geographic balance and the use of new technologies to reach new constituencies in WIPO Member States.

j.    Manage and supervise the human resources of the WIPO Academy, including external resources, as well as provide a framework for a stable and motivating work environment that is focused on result-based management and assures credibility, trust and value to stakeholders while optimizing staff expertise and performance.

k.   Strategic direction and management of the WIPO Build Back Fund or other similar assignments, including fostering cross-Sector cooperation and acting as Chair of the Task Force, overseeing the development and implementation of country-requested projects, effectively allocating and managing resources, ensuring continuous dialogue with Member States, and reporting to the Director General as needed.

l.    Represent the WIPO Academy at international, regional and national events to promote its strategies and policies.

m.  Perform other duties as may be required.

Education (Essential)

Advanced university degree in education, law, economics, political sciences or related area. A first-level university degree with two years of experience, in addition to the experience mentioned below may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Education (Desirable)

Specialization in intellectual property for development and international cooperation.

Experience (Essential)

At least 15 years of professional experience, of which seven at the international level, in the field of intellectual property, including in a senior managerial role.

Extensive professional experience in managing administrative programs and/or programs for the delivery of technical assistance.

Experience in strategic planning, budget management or results-based management.

Track record of managing financial resources, donors, as well as attracting new financial partners for educational and training programs.

Experience (Desirable)

Specific experience in the delivery of programs for development.

Experience in the field of intellectual property for development and international cooperation.

Experience in EdTech and the use of digital technologies to deploy learning programs.

Track record of forging partnership to scale programs.

Experience managing the operations of a Learning Academy with an emphasis on the delivery of educational and training services, including through digital learning.

Language (Essential)

Excellent written and spoken knowledge of English.

Language (Desirable)

Good knowledge of other UN official languages.

Job Related Competencies (Essential)

Extensive knowledge of the international IP system, with excellent understanding of the strategic priorities of WIPO.

Strong diplomatic skills and sound political judgment.

Ability to anticipate challenges and opportunities in the delivery of programs and services of a Learning Academy.

Ability to provide strategic and leadership advice and support relating to the formulation and implementation of new and innovative initiatives on IP education, training and skills development in both a digital and physical environment.

Ability to make strategic decisions on the use of EdTech in the Academy’s programs.

Knowledge of technological advances in education and training systems including the use of artificial intelligence and digital learning.

Proven managerial and leadership skills; ability to advise and lead diverse work teams, motivate staff, promoting dedication and engagement.

Excellent decision-making and problem-solving skills.

Excellent communication, networking, public presentation skills and ability to maintain effective partnerships and working relations in a multi-cultural environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.

1.    Communicating effectively.

2.    Showing team spirit.

3.    Demonstrating integrity.

4.    Valuing diversity.

5.    Producing results.

6.    Showing service orientation.

7.    Seeing the big picture.

8.    Seeking change and innovation.

9.    Developing yourself and others.

Mobility:  WIPO staff members are international civil servants subject to the authority of the Director General and may be assigned to any activities, office or duty station of the Organization.  Accordingly, the selected candidate may be required to move from time to time to new functions and/or to another duty station.

Annual salary:

Total annual salary consists of a net annual salary (net of taxes and before medical insurance and pension fund deductions) in US dollars and a post adjustment.  Please note that this estimate is for information only.  The post adjustment multiplier (cost of living allowance) is variable and subject to change (increase or decrease) without notice.  The figures quoted below are based on the September 2024 rate of 96.7%

Please refer to WIPO’s Staff Regulation and Rules for detailed information concerning salaries, benefits and allowances.

Additional Information

* Initial period of two years, renewable, subject to satisfactory performance.  No fixed-term appointment or any extension hereof shall carry with it any expectancy of, nor imply any right to, (further) extensions or conversion to a permanent appointment.

This vacancy announcement may be used to fill other posts at the same grade with similar functions in accordance with Staff Rule 4.9.5.

Applications from qualified women as well as from qualified nationals of unrepresented Member States of WIPO and underrepresented geographical regions are encouraged. Please click on the following links for the list of unrepresented Member States and the list of underrepresented regions and the WIPO Member States in these regions.

The Organization reserves the right to make an appointment at a grade lower than that advertised.

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By completing an application, candidates understand that any willful misrepresentation made on this web site, or on any other documents submitted to WIPO during the application, may result in disqualification from the recruitment process, or termination of employment with WIPO at a later date, if that employment resulted from such willful misrepresentations.

In the event that your candidature is shortlisted, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of an identification and of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WIPO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link\: http\://www.whed.net/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and these will be reviewed individually.

Additional testing/interviewing may be used as a form of screening.  Initial appointment is subject to satisfactory professional references.

Additional background checks may be required.