Senior Counsellor

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING APPLICATION DEADLINE\:  please note that the deadline for applications is indicated in local date and time.

 

 

a.    Organizational Setting

 

The post is located in the SMEs and Entrepreneurship Support Division (SESD Division), the Department for Transition and Developed Countries (TDC).  The SESD Division acts as the central reference point within WIPO for SME-related intellectual property (IP) issues, IP policies for universities and research institutions, IP commercialization, support to technology management offices and policy development in these areas.  It is responsible for developing a solid platform of SME-related content to guide the training and capacity building activities targeting SMEs support institutions, academic institutions and other intermediaries.  This includes the development of materials tailored to the needs of SMEs and identification of good practices of using the IP system by SMEs to demonstrate the positive impact on economic benefit, employment and competitiveness.  The Division also explores opportunities of collaboration with other organizations with dedicated SME programs.

In addition, the SESD Division aims at enhancing national capacity of academic institutions to independently manage IP from the early stage of research results through to commercializing, licensing or establishing a start-up business.  It also assists universities and research institutions in transferring new technologies to parties capable of commercialization, both nationally and across international borders.

 

b.      Purpose Statement

 

The incumbent is required to conceptualize, design, raise funds for, oversee and ensure the effective and timely delivery of programs of assistance to Member States.  Those programs of assistance include longer term projects and advisory papers, capacity building programs, conferences on global IP challenging issues and workshops, content and informational material as well as the provision of authoritative advice, expert assistance and guidance.

 

c.      Reporting Lines

 

The incumbent works under the supervision of the Director of the SESD Division.

 

d.      Work Relations

 

The incumbent works in close cooperation with the staff of the TDC and maintains close contacts with other work units throughout the Organization, as well as representatives from the countries under the supervision of the SESD Division.

 

 

 

The incumbent will perform the following principal duties\:

 

a.   As a program leader, create, design, justify and manage the delivery of specific and innovative programs of assistance in the field of knowledge transfer, determining overall strategic direction in this area and priorities, formulating policy in this respect, and securing and allocating resources for the completion and timely delivery of work products at expected quality in accordance with results-based management principles.

 

b.   Initiate, design, plan and manage in coordination and collaboration with Member States projects for national implementation of IP Policies for Universities and Research Institutions and that are aimed at long-term capacity building for universities and research institutions in Member States regarding the establishment, sustainability and business success of knowledge / technology management offices.

 

c.   Exercise sound asset management for the Funds-in-Trust (FIT) Australia Programs B on Technology Transfer in Asia, including development of the work plans, planning and control of human and financial resources, initiate, establish, manage and coordinate with internal and external partners projects and programs, and advise on results achieved, in line with the performance indicators established.

 

d.   Manage the performance of staff of the SESD Division in the field of knowledge transfer; engage and empower staff, resolve staffing or performance issues, and ensure capacity building and development.

 

e.   Provide expert advice and innovative recommendations that advance the Organization’s reputation to the Director of the SESD Division, formulate policies and priorities, and lead the Division’s support to IP offices, universities, technology management offices.

 

f.    Create and manage strategic partnerships and cooperation agreements as well as engage with Member States, regional and international organizations and institutions and relevant internal organizational units to build partnerships, strengthen linkages with key stakeholders, advance program and organizational objectives, and advocate for and ensure  the implementation of programs of assistance in the field of knowledge transfer.

 

g.   Represent the Organization at meetings, conferences and other events organized by WIPO, its Member States or other organizations;  prepare and present reports, provide advice and lead training courses and workshops, advocate on issues relevant to enabling the different actors of the innovation system use, and manage and exploit the intellectual property system to maximize returns from their inventive, innovative and creative output.

 

h.   Perform other related duties as required.

 

 

 

Education

Essential

Advanced university degree in law, business management, international relations, economics, engineering, science or equivalent.  A first-level university degree with two additional years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

 

Experience

Essential

At least ten years of combined professional experience preferably in an international setting, whether with a United Nations program or agency, or other multilateral organization in one or more of the following areas\:  IP law, IP asset management, project management, development / technical assistance or public administration.

 

Desirable

Experience in working in a multinational, muticultural environment.

 

Language

Essential

Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English.

 

Desirable

Knowledge of other UN languages, preferably French.

 

Job Related Competencies

Essential

Excellent written and oral skills.

Excellent analytical and organizational skills.

Project management skills.

Good knowledge of business and administrative procedures of national IP institutions, universities and industry.

Ability to represent the Organization and to provide authoritative advice and guidance.

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

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.

 

 

Desirable

Knowledge of IP management and policy, capacity building in developing and least developed countries.

 

 

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.  The post adjustment (cost of living allowance) is variable and subject to change without notice in accordance with the rates as set within the UN Common System for salaries and allowances.  The figures quoted below are based on the June 2019 rate of 66.1%

 

P5
Annual salary	$84,721
Post adjustment	$56,000
Total Salary	$140,721
Currency USD

 

 

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.