Director, Development Agenda Coordination Division

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 (DA). 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 recommendations and review of their implementation. It also ensures a high-level debate in the Committee on emerging issues related to IP and Development. 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 in line with the Organization’s strategic goals, mission, and vision.

b.    Purpose Statement

The incumbent oversees the CDIP related work and facilitates the consensus building on issues, often sensitive, under discussions in the Committee. The incumbent further leads the implementation and mainstreaming of the WIPO Development Agenda recommendations and principles throughout WIPO's programs and provides policy analysis and strategic advice on IP and development as well as DA related matters to the management. The incumbent also advocates for the advancement of the Development Agenda at the national and international levels, leads the coordination of the implementation of DA projects by technical areas of WIPO and national and/or regional institutions, and oversees the design and implementation of DA projects by DADC.

c.    Reporting Lines

The incumbent works under the supervision of the Deputy Director General of the Regional and National Development Sector (RNDS).

The incumbent will perform the following principal duties:

a.   Lead the definition of strategic thinking of the Division on the WIPO Development Agenda (DA) and Committee on Development and Intellectual Property (CDIP) related matters and oversee a wide range of multi-disciplinary, complex, and sensitive and/or conflicting substantive and political matters involving issues relating to IP and development and the work of the CDIP.

b.   Oversee the design, management and championing of new multi-dimensional initiatives, projects and activities to implement the 45 DA recommendations in order to tailor-fit the selected regions, countries and/or situations and test their feasibility, in view of refining the concept or improving the project methodology before replicating them to more countries or possible mainstreaming into WIPO's regular work.

c.   Guide the development and management of institutional relationships and engage with Member States representatives, international organizations, non-governmental organizations, academia and industries, in order to advance the Organization's image, promote cooperation in various areas of IP and development, and advocate a broad program and organizational objectives that enhance the successful implementation of the DA.

d.   Formulate innovative policies and provide authoritative advice on a diverse range of complex or novel substantive and procedural questions related to the implementation of the Development Agenda, IP and development and the work of the CDIP.

e.   Supervise the review, negotiation, and drafting of complex and sensitive documents, projects, reports, policies, guidelines, concept papers, institutional and operational modalities and management responses. Contribute to the design and implementation of new activities requested by the CDIP such as organization of international conferences, seminars and roundtables.

f.    Oversee the preparation of budget proposals, annual work plans and Performance Reports for the Division. Guide and supervise the prioritization of the Division's work related to the CDIP and the organization of its workload. Coordinate the work of the Division in overseeing the work of DA Project Managers, external independent evaluators and other experts, and implementation of recommendations emanating from evaluations and reviews with a view to improve the DA related projects and activities.

g.   Represent the Division in WIPO Permanent/ Standing Committees and liaise with the Secretaries of these Committees to ensure an effective mainstreaming of the sensitive topics of the Development Agenda. Liaise with officials of other United Nations agencies on emerging issues related to IP and development. Ensure the integration of the DA principles and outcomes in the Program and Budget of the Organization and facilitate the effective delivery of development-oriented technical assistance and capacity building through relevant programs.

h.   Represent the Organization at regional and international conferences and meetings, make speeches, and promote and advance the programs, services and activities of the Division.

i.    Manage the affairs of the Division and participate in discussions and meetings within and outside the Organization in a manner that is consistent with the Division's mandate.

j.    Perform other related duties as required.

Education (Essential)

Advanced university degree in law, economics, international relations, development studies or other related fields. A first-level university degree in one of the aforementioned disciplines plus two years of relevant experience in addition to the experience mentioned below may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Experience (Essential)

At least 15 years of relevant professional experience in the field of intellectual property, and the design and implementation of development-oriented programs and activities.

Experience with and knowledge of the work of international organizations.

Experience in developing and implementing IP policies and/or projects at an international level.

 Experience in project management.

Experience (Desirable)

Experience in results-based management, and evaluation.

Experience with and understanding of evaluation of development-oriented delivery of technical assistance and capacity building.

Language (Essential)

Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English.

Language (Desirable)

Knowledge of other UN languages.

Job Related Competencies (Essential)

Excellent knowledge of the international IP system.

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

Excellent people and resource management skills.

Sound judgment and diplomatic skills.

Strong analytical and decision-making skills.

Excellent analytical, program and project formulation and management skills.

Ability to represent the Organization and to provide authoritative (both policy and technical) advice and guidance.

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

Demonstrated ability to take decisions under pressure and to work under tight and competing deadlines.

Job Related Competencies (Desirable)

Knowledge of United Nations mandates, policies and procedures.

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 October 2024 rate of 95.3%

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.