Associate 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.

This post is a limited-term fixed-term post.

a.    Organizational Setting

The post is located in the Office of the Deputy Director General (DDG) of the Patents and Technology Sector (PTS). The team is responsible for the development, monitoring, and implementation of WIPO’s strategy on the role of IP in support of women and girls, the Intellectual Property and Gender Action Plan (IPGAP), as well as other activities and initiatives related to women’s participation in the IP and innovation system.  The IPGAP frames WIPO’s work assisting governments in developing evidence-driven policy to address women’s underuse of the IP system, identifying the scope and nature of that underuse, and piloting projects and initiatives to build the IP knowledge and skills of women and girls and the institutions that support them.

b.    Purpose Statement

The incumbent will be responsible for contributing to education, research, and capacity building supporting IPGAP implementation and related matters through close collaboration across WIPO sectors as well as with external stakeholders including Member States, policymakers, IP and innovation offices, government officials, the private sector, women innovators, creators, and entrepreneurs, international organizations, academics, and students. Under the supervision of the Senior Advisor, the incumbent will also assist in implementing initiatives and projects under the IPGAP and any future strategies relating to IP in support of women and girls.

c.     Reporting Lines

The incumbent works under the supervision of the Senior Advisor, IP and Gender, Office of the DDG, PTS.

The incumbent will perform the following principal duties:

a.   Under the supervision of the Senior Advisor, coordinate the implementation of medium-term projects under the IPGAP and any future strategies relating to IP in support of women and girls.

b.   Organize and participate in virtual as well as in-person educational and capacity-building events.

c.   Conduct research and draft short reports relating to IP, innovation and women.

d.   Draft briefing documents, speeches, talking points, and articles as required, clearly presenting data and research.

e.   Attend meetings, workshops, and seminars as needed and provide clear reporting, analysis, and recommendations.

f.    Develop communications assets, such as social media, articles, and other outreach and assets, working horizontally across sectors and teams throughout WIPO, and externally as needed.

g.   Support the organization and implementation of World IP Day, International Women’s Day and other relevant activities and events.

h.   Contribute to key performance indicators and the systematic monitoring of engagement, user feedback, and service metrics. Utilize insights to evaluate the effectiveness of activities, enhance service delivery and promotional efforts, identify emerging trends, and recommend improvements and best practices.

i.    Perform other related duties.

Education (Essential)

First-level university degree, preferably in law, science, business management/economics, technology, public policy, or international relations.

Education (Desirable)

Specialization in intellectual property.

Experience (Essential)

At least 3 years of relevant professional experience, including experience in intellectual property, in the public or private sector using knowledge of law, entrepreneurship, or project management in the international environment.

Experience (Desirable)

Experience in implementing programs or initiatives for women or other groups underrepresented in the IP ecosystem.

Language (Essential)

Excellent written and spoken knowledge of English.

Language (Desirable)

Knowledge of another UN language.

Job Related Competencies (Essential)

Excellent knowledge of innovation, intellectual property systems, and/or business and entrepreneurship.

Strong research and writing skills.

Excellent independent organizational and planning skills.

Proven ability to communicate and collaborate across teams in a cross-sectoral role.

Excellent analytical and communication skills.

Ability to interpret data trends and provide evidence-based recommendations.

Sound political judgement and capacity to work well with a range of actors and across all levels of seniority.

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

Competent user of Microsoft Office applications, Zoom, and ability to adapt quickly to new systems and software.

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 November 2025 rate of 90%

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

Additional Information

* Initial fixed-term appointment of two years, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and other applicable conditions.  The selected candidate’s appointment will be subject to an overall term of five years in this position, with normally no possibility of renewal beyond that term.  S/he may, however, apply and be considered for other positions at WIPO.

This is not applicable to WIPO staff members on fixed-term, continuing or permanent appointments, who were recruited following a competition under Staff Regulation 4.10 (“Appointment Boards”).

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.