Head, Academic Institutions and Executive Program

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 Academic Institutions and Executive Program (AIEP) of the WIPO Academy in the Regional and National Development Sector.

The WIPO Academy is the core entity in 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 and other stakeholders.

The Academic Institutions and Executive Program facilitates access to higher education in IP, in particular through support for Joint Master’s Programs, advice and assistance to academic institutions and partnership with them, and the provision of scholarships.  In addition, this Program seeks to build practical IP skills and capacity for government officials and professionals in the public and private sector through its Executive Training Program. It also offers IP learning opportunities for academics, researchers and students through the organization of colloquia and summer schools.

b.    Purpose Statement

The incumbent is responsible for managing the Academy's flagship Joint Master's Programs in IP and for the range of support activities aimed at increasing access to postgraduate IP education.

The incumbent manages the quality and profile of the Program and ensures that the positive reputation of the Programs is being maintained. The Counsellor is further responsible for the strategic development of new partnerships with universities to support WIPO's objective of increasing access to postgraduate IP education taking into account in particular geographical diversity and gender parity.

The incumbent is also in charge of WIPO's contribution to national, regional and international efforts on postgraduate IP teaching and research through the organization of the WIPO-WTO Colloquia, as well as national and international IP teaching and research symposia and workshops.

c.    Reporting Lines

The incumbent works under the supervision of the Director of WIPO Academy.

d.    Work Relations

The incumbent liaises extensively with partner universities, IP Offices, relevant WIPO sectors including the WIPO Academy and legal, financial, and human resources units and external stakeholders such as the WTO and funding partners, to ensure the effective implementation and continuous development of the Joint Master’s Programs and related IP education initiatives.

The incumbent will perform the following principal duties:

a.  Propose new initiatives and academic programs to strengthen IP education globally, with a focus on identifying emerging needs, fostering innovation in curriculum design, and expanding WIPO’s engagement with higher education institutions;

b.  Manage the WIPO Joint Master's Programs, in collaboration with partner institutions, facilitating WIPO's participation in these Programs, representing WIPO on the Joint Master's Steering Committees and overseeing the application and scholarships selection processes;

c.  Manage requests for new Joint Master's Programs and, co­-design the curriculum and all other aspects of the new Program;

d.  Review and update policies, manuals, guidelines and other instructions to support the WIPO Academy's Joint Master's Programs;

e.  Assist in evaluating IP education capacities in developing countries, LDCs and countries with economies in transition; advise IP Offices and educational institutions on IP education needs and provide advice for the development of curricula for universities seeking to offer IP Higher Education Programs; advise on sourcing and identification of IP teaching resources;

f.   Organize the Annual WIPO-WTO Colloquium for IP Teachers and Regional WIPO-WTO Colloquia for IP Teachers, including the preparation of the “WIPO-WTO Colloquium Papers”; organize workshops, seminars, and symposia on IP education, jointly with partner institutions and Heads of IP Offices;

g.  Manage financial and human resources needed to achieve the planned results to budget and in a timely manner; prepare work plan implementation reports and status updates on budget utilization; mobilize resources and support for scholarships both internally and from external sources;

h.  Represent the Organization at meetings, conferences, and other events, providing authoritative advice and recommendations in the area of IP education and training; take part in teaching undertakings, deliver lectures and give presentations;

i.   Manage staff and resources of the Program and supervise their work; provide regular feedback on performance; conduct performance evaluation meetings and ensure timely finalization of performance evaluation exercises; follow up on recommendations/issues identified;

j.   Perform other duties as required.

Education (Essential)

Advanced university degree in intellectual property law, business management, international relations or other relevant discipline. A first-level university degree in a relevant discipline plus two years of experience in addition to the experience requested below may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Experience (Essential)

At least seven years of relevant professional experience in IP and development cooperation at the national and international level.

Proven experience in the development of training and academic programs, including curriculum design and capacity building.

Experience in organizing international workshops, colloquia, or symposia in the field of IP education.

Experience in managing team.

Experience (Desirable)

Expertise in IP related learning curriculum and programs design.

Experience delivering lectures or training in IP at a professional or postgraduate level.

Language (Essential)

Excellent written and spoken knowledge of English.

Language (Desirable)

Knowledge of other UN official languages.

Job Related Competencies (Essential)

Excellent presentation and public speaking skills.

Good knowledge of RBM and managing for results in a cost-efficient manner.

Strong service orientation with a track record in supporting different stakeholders such as Member States, academic institutions, and program participants with the ability to develop and implement effective business solutions.

Excellent drafting skills and ability to work with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail.

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

Excellent supervisory skills with the ability to manage multidisciplinary teams.

Sound political judgment and the capacity to work well with a range of actors including WIPO stakeholders and universities.

Ability to provide high-level advice on academic program development, curriculum design, and capacity-building strategies.

Digital savviness with strong proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) and ability to quickly learn new digital tools.

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 August 2025 rate of 88.7%

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 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.