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.

a.    Organizational Setting

The post is located in the Development Agenda Coordination Division (DACD), which is responsible for coordinating the implementation of the WIPO Development Agenda.

The Division serves as the Secretariat for the Committee on Development and Intellectual Property (CDIP) and facilitates its work in defining actions for the implementation of the Development Agenda (DA) and review of its implementation. For this purpose, the Division also interfaces with internal and external stakeholders and promotes a better understanding of the WIPO Development Agenda and its benefits.

b.    Purpose Statement

The incumbent will be responsible for driving the successful implementation and integration of the Development Agenda (DA) across all relevant programs and activities, providing technical guidance and supporting the development or project-based initiatives in alignment with Member States' priorities. Ensuring effective planning, organization, and execution of the Committee on Development and Intellectual Property (CDIP), while ensuring that the DA is seamlessly mainstreamed into the Committee’s operations and initiatives.

c.    Reporting Lines

The incumbent works under the supervision of the Senior Counselor of the Division. 

d.      Work Relations

The Program Officer works closely with relevant Sectors, Divisions, and work units at WIPO Headquarters to ensure the effective coordination and implementation of Development Agenda (DA) projects and activities. Additionally, the Program Officer collaborates with DA Project Managers to exchange best practices, foster synergies, and enhance the impact and outreach of Development Agenda projects. 

The incumbent will perform the following principal duties:

a.    Prepare reports and documents for the Committee on Development and Intellectual Property (CDIP), as well as internal memoranda, draft agreements and other working documents to support reporting requirements. 

b.    Provide substantive and technical support for coordination, implementation and evaluation of activities, contributing to the mainstreaming of the Development Agenda (DA) across relevant programs. 

c.    Monitor the implementation of specific aspects of the Development Agenda, formulate and present project proposals on the basis of technical and substantive input, identify challenges and recommend corrective actions to improve project efficiency. Regularly analyze progress, document key developments and record future activities. 

d.    Represent WIPO at meetings and participate in missions and briefings to identify opportunities for and further mandate implementation. 

e.    Design and implement capacity building programs and activities providing financial and technical support for such initiatives. 

f.    Assist in the implementation of the Division's communication strategy, support media outreach efforts. Provide regular updates on the Division’s achievements and initiatives. 

g.    Establish and maintain effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including Member States and intergovernmental organizations. 

h.    Perform other related duties as required. 

Education (Essential)
First-level university degree in development studies, economics, international relations, law or a related discipline.

Education (Desirable)
Advanced university degree in the above fields or a specialization in IP. 

Project management certification.

Experience (Essential)
At least six years of relevant professional experience in the field of IP.

Experience working in international organizations.

Experience in project management.

Experience (Desirable)
Experience in capacity building and technical assistance.

Experience in managing media outreach and social media activities.

Language (Essential)
Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English.

Language (Desirable)
Knowledge of other official UN languages in particular Spanish or French.

Job Related Competencies (Essential)
Excellent communication skills and interpersonal skills, with the ability to foster and maintain effective partnerships and working relations in a multi-cultural environment and with variety of stakeholders with sensitivity and respect for diversity.

Excellent knowledge of project design and management.

Ability to adapt to challenging and changing environments.

Excellent diplomatic skills and ability to work with tact and discretion.

Excellent drafting skills.

Excellent coordination skills.

Ability to manage media outreach and social media activities, ensuring consistent and impactful messaging. 

Excellent analytical and organizational skills.

Competent user of Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) and the internet.

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 March 2025 rate of 73.6%

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 your identification and the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WIPO recognizes higher educational qualifications obtained from institutions accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list maintained by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed here\: http\://www.whed.net/. Some higher educational qualifications may not be listed in WHED, and will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

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.