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 Division for Africa, Department for Development Cooperation in the Regional and National Development Sector.

The Sector serves as a diplomatic, political, and operational gateway for all Member States (MSs) of the Organization from African Countries; facilitating two-way communication and cooperation across WIPO; supporting MSs in the development and implementation of policy in the context of effective IP ecosystems; and strengthening the capacity of MSs and stakeholders in the use of IP as a tool for growth and development. Technical assistance is provided in close cooperation with relevant WIPO sectors. They are aimed at facilitating the use of IP by stakeholders for social, cultural and economic development.

The Division provides and manages the Organization’s policy documents and, advisory services, capacity building and technical assistance programs from African Countries the regional, sub-regional and inter-regional levels, in coordination with other Sectors of the Organization.

b.    Purpose Statement

The incumbent is responsible for managing and providing oversight and quality control of the Division’s activities, with the aim of ensuring the timely, effective and efficient achievement of the expected results, in accordance with the Program and Budget, annual work plans and related performance indicators and targets.

The Director serves as the primary interface for providing advice, managing the technical assistance portfolio, and contributing to the impactful implementation of the Organization’s objective of supporting the use of intellectual property (IP) as a tool for growth and development in the African region.

c.    Reporting Lines

The incumbent works under the supervision of the Senior Director of the Department for Development Cooperation of the Regional and National Development Sector.

d.    Work Relations

The incumbent maintains a wide range of relationships with strategic partners of the IP and innovation ecosystem, including government organizations, permanent delegations, IP offices, academic institutions, traditional communities, producer groups, NGOs, IGOs, creators, innovators, and the private sector.

The incumbent will perform the following principal duties:

a.   Lead work to strengthen WIPO’s political engagement with government authorities by providing expert advice and relevant information on the economic, social and cultural contexts of the African region, with a special focus on their IP and innovation ecosystems.

b.   Lead the Division’s portfolio of work and have overall responsibility for the management of its human and financial resources, identifying priorities and allocating resources for the timely and quality delivery of work products in accordance with the management models and schemes adopted by the Department for all regional Divisions.

c.   Oversee the development, review and efficient execution of work plans, budget and the compilation and analysis of implementation and performance of activities within a results-based framework.

d.   Lead the design, management and implementation of new path-breaking multi-dimensional development cooperation initiatives and projects, in order to tailor-fit to selected countries and/or situations.

e.   Develop and manage strategic partnerships through the engagement with national, regional or sub-regional organizations, both in the public and private sectors, in order to, promote and deliver cooperation in various areas of IP and innovation, and facilitate the creation of value among users, including, SMEs, innovators, creators, and communities.

f.    Manage and contribute to key issues relating to the design, development, implementation, monitoring and assessment of IP policies, national IP strategies, country plans and development cooperation programs, in line with WIPO’s results-based management framework.

g.   Establish effective coordination mechanisms between the Division for Africa and other parts of WIPO to ensure the delivery of relevant and impactful technical assistance.

h.   Oversee the management of extra-budgetary resources or Funds-in-Trust, negotiate with funders, and reconcile funder’s goals with the development priorities of countries in the region as well as the Program and Budget targets and performance goals of the Organization.

i.    Represent the Organization and participate in various regional, sub-regional and/or national forums, meetings and seminars.

j.    Perform other duties as necessary.

Education (Essential)

Advanced university degree in, law, economics, international relations, development studies or related discipline.

A first-level university degree plus two years of relevant experience in addition to the experience requested below may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience (Essential)

At least 15 years of progressive professional experience in the field of intellectual property and policymaking, international cooperation, and development.

Experience with and knowledge of the social, economic and legal systems of one or several sub- regions covering the African region.

Proven experience leading and managing projects.

Proven experience leading and managing teams and resources.

Experience (Desirable)

Experience with results-based management.

Experience in developing and implementing IP and innovation national policies and/or strategies.

Experience with the administration of national or regional IP offices and/or the development of national or regional innovation ecosystems.

Language (Essential)

Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English and French.

Language (Desirable)

Knowledge of other official UN languages.

Job Related Competencies (Essential)

Excellent communication, presentation and interpersonal skills.

Ability to maintain effective partnerships and working relations in a multi-cultural environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.

Excellent people and resource management skills.

Sound judgment and diplomatic skills.

Strong analytical and decision-making skills.

Competent user of Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) and the internet and the ability to quickly adjust to new technology.

Job Related Competencies (Desirable)

National or regional level policy planning, formulation and implementation.

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 October 2024 rate of 95.3%

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.

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.