Title of Assignment: Report on WIPO’s Contribution to the Implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals and its Associated Targets

Name of unit/sector: Global Challenges and Partnerships Sector, World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), Geneva

Place of Assignment: home-based

Expected duration of assignment: From December 1, 2024, to March 31, 2025

1. Objective of the assignment

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) plays a significant role in contributing to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by fostering innovation and creativity through intellectual property (IP).

The Committee on Development and Intellectual Property (CDIP) is a forum at WIPO where the Organization’s contribution to the attainment of the SDGs is discussed by Member States.  To facilitate those discussions, at its eighteenth session, held from October 31 to November 4, 2016, the CDIP requested the Secretariat to prepare an annual report on the contribution of WIPO to the implementation of the SDGs and their associated targets, and to present it at the Committee’s first session of the year.

The thirty-second CDIP session, held from April 29 to May 3, 2024, while discussing the eighth such report submitted to it, “requested the Secretariat to provide in the context of the next annual Reports analyses on challenges and opportunities to further the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals through WIPO programs”.

The objective of this assignment is to draft a comprehensive report that details WIPO’s contributions to the implementation of the SDGs and their associated targets, as well as to identify challenges and opportunities for advancing SDG implementation through WIPO programs.

2. Deliverables / services

The Consultant will be responsible for drafting a document that includes the following elements:
(i) Overview of WIPO’s contribution to the implementation of the SDGs and its associated targets that provides an update for 2024 of the SDG-related:
(a) activities and initiatives undertaken individually by WIPO;
(b) activities undertaken by WIPO as part of the United Nations System;  and
(c) assistance provided by WIPO to its Member States at their request.

(ii) Challenges and opportunities for advancing SDG implementation in WIPO and recommendations to strengthen the Organization’s contribution to the SDGs implementation.

3. Reporting 

The Consultant will work under the supervision of the Assistant Director General of the Global Challenges and Partnerships Sector, and the Senior Counsellor of the Development Agenda Coordination Division (DACD).  In addition, the Consultant shall:
(a) Work closely with the DACD and coordinate with relevant WIPO staff as required;  and
(b) Ensure the quality of data (validity, consistency and accuracy) throughout the analytical reporting phases.
The Consultant will be expected to participate in regular progress meetings with relevant WIPO teams.

4. Profile (e.g. area of specialization/expertise, specific knowledge/skills/experience)

• Advanced degree in international development, IP, public policy, or a related field.
• Demonstrated expertise in the SDGs, sustainable development, and their implementation within international organizations.  Proven experience in drafting high-level reports, policy documents, or strategic analyses for international organizations.  Excellent analytical, research, and writing skills.  Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English.

5. Duration of contract and payment

The contract will start on December 1, 2024, and will end on March 31, 2025.  During this period, the following schedule should be followed:
The data collection shall be finalized by January 15, 2025.  The draft report shall be submitted to WIPO by January 31, 2025.  WIPO feedback shall be provided by February 10, 2025.  The final report shall be submitted by February 28, 2025.  The Consultant’s fee of 15,000 Swiss francs will be paid in three installments, as follows:
• Upon finalization of the data collection:  25%
• Upon approval of the draft report:  25%.
• Upon approval of the final report:  50%
The payment will be subject to the satisfactory reception of the deliverables as per the current ToR and upon completion of the tasks outlined therein.