Title of Assignment: Project Manager, ABC Training and Technical Assistance

Name of unit/sector: Accessible Books Consortium (ABC) Secretariat, Copyright Management Division

Place of Assignment: Onsite at WIPO HQ in Geneva, Switzerland

Expected places of travel (if applicable): As needed and requested by the Head, ABC

Expected duration of assignment: 12 months, starting November 15, 2024, with the possibility of renewal for another 12 months

1. Organizational Context 

The Accessible Books Consortium (ABC) was established in June 2014 to implement the goals of the Marrakesh Treaty to Facilitate Access to Published Works for Persons Who Are Blind, Visually Impaired, or Otherwise Print Disabled.  ABC is a public–private partnership led by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) that brings together key stakeholders. The Marrakesh Treaty benefits persons who are blind, have low vision, are dyslexic or have mobility impairments that impact their ability to read the printed word (“people who are print disabled”).

ABC’s goal is to increase and make available books in accessible formats (such as braille, audio and e-text) through three main activities:

• the ABC Global Book Service (“the Service”), which is a centralized catalogue of over one million accessible format books in 80 languages available for cross border exchange under the framework of the Marrakesh Treaty;
• training and technical assistance provided in developing and least developed countries for the production of accessible format books;
• the promotion of inclusive publishing practices with publishers.

ABC has an Advisory Board that is currently comprised of the representatives of 16 organizations, which meet with the ABC Secretariat regularly.

2. Assignment

Under the supervision of the Head, ABC Secretariat, the Project Manager (PM) will work in collaboration with expert trainers and partner NGOs in each region.  The objective of the assignment is for the PM to develop and implement new TTA projects (“Projects”) in developing and least developed countries and to monitor TTA activities by partner NGOs until completion.

3. Tasks/Activities

(a) The PM shall deliver new Projects in Africa, Asia the Caribbean or Latin America. Tasks shall include:

(i) identifying new countries where an ABC Project could be established and successfully delivered within the timeframe allocated;

(ii) developing detailed proposals and work plans together with the identified partner NGOs serving people who are blind, visually impaired or otherwise print disabled in the agreed countries;

(iii) defining the deliverables of the Projects, including timelines and monitoring output throughout the duration of the TTA contract with the partner NGO;

(iv) providing interim and final reports on the Projects, including lessons learned; and

(v) financial monitoring and evaluation of the outcomes of the Projects.

(b) Draft standard agreements and terms of reference (based on existing templates) with the selected partner NGOs, as well as various service providers, as appropriate.

(c) Participate in international meetings or events to promote ABC, as requested by the Head, ABC.

(d) Perform any other related tasks as requested by the Head, ABC.

4. Reporting

The PM will report to the Head, ABC Secretariat.

5. Profile

The PM requires the following:
(a) A university degree in business management, development studies, marketing, library sciences or related field;
(b) At least five years of experience in the area of project management, certification in project management would be an advantage;
(c) Sound knowledge of ABC activities;
(d) Extensive understanding of challenges faced by AEs and people who are print disabled, particularly in low income countries;
(e) Knowledge of accessible format standards and the technologies required to produce accessible format copies of books, as well as knowledge of reading devices for people who are print disabled;
(f) Excellent drafting skills in English, French and Spanish; and
(g) Sound political judgment and experience working in a multicultural environment. Experience implementing international technical development projects in low income countries would be an advantage.

6. Duration of assignment 

This assignment will run for 12 months, with the possibility of renewal for another 12 months.

7. Payment

Services shall be provided within the context of an ICS agreement at a daily rate.  The Contractor shall submit a monthly invoice for services rendered, together with a time sheet.

Applicants are requested to provide an indication of their remuneration expectations of a daily rate in either Swiss francs, Euros, British Pounds or USD.

8. Additional information

ICS providers fall outside the coverage of employment contracts for WIPO Staff members and are not subject to the WIPO Staff Regulations and Rules. The ICS provider has no entitlement to vacation or sick leave (except for WIPO official holidays), or to medical insurance or a staff pension.