Title of Assignment: Project Coordinator

Name of unit/sector: Traditional Knowledge Division, Global Challenges and Partnerships Sector

Place of Assignment: WIPO Headquarters, Geneva, Switzerland

Expected places of travel (if applicable): N/A

Expected duration of assignment: Preferably March 1, 2025 to February 28, 2026

1. Background and objective of the assignment

Background

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) is the United Nations agency that serves the world’s innovators and creators, ensuring that their ideas travel safely to the market and improve lives everywhere.

The Traditional Knowledge Division of WIPO conducts normative and practical activities and projects at the nexus of innovation and biodiversity, cultural heritage, agriculture, Indigenous Peoples, sustainable development and other global policy issues. These activities and projects include:

(a) WIPO is facilitating a number of activities that may be conducive to fairer and more equitable interaction between Indigenous Peoples and fashion companies.  Some activities to date have included Indigenous consultations, the preparation of Draft Steps when Considering the Use of Elements of Indigenous Peoples’ Traditional Cultural Expressions in Fashion, and a High-Level Dialogue on Indigenous Peoples, Traditional Cultural Expressions and Fashion, that took place in November 2023 at WIPO Headquarters in Geneva.  In 2025, work will focus on the fine-tuning of the draft steps in further consultation with Indigenous Peoples’ representatives, fashion companies and other experts; the preparation of case studies and stories featuring successful collaborations between Indigenous Peoples and fashion companies; and the organization of a second High-Level Dialogue.

(b) Following the success of the previous editions of the WIPO Photography Prize for Indigenous Youth in 2022, 2023 and 2024, WIPO will organize a new edition of the Photography Prize in 2025. Through the Photography Prize, WIPO aims to celebrate and make widely known the creativity of young members of Indigenous Peoples as well as local communities, and raise awareness among them on how they can use copyright to protect the creativity expressed in their photographs.

(c) The Traditional Knowledge Division is exploring the feasibility of the establishment of an international voluntary notification system for traditional cultural expressions. The next step would be to organize in situ technical assessments in pilot countries, as well as formal consultation(s) with representatives of Indigenous Peoples, as well as local communities, to receive feedback on this project which is still work-in-progress.

(d) In 2025, the Traditional Knowledge Division will launch a new WIPO Creative Writing Prize for Indigenous Youth as a pilot. Young Indigenous authors will be invited to submit short stories (fiction), poetry and other short creative writing forms and be eligible for prizes.

(e) The Division is developing practical interactive materials, including learning tools on branding and on issues faced by cultural institutions in relation to its area of work.  These two tools have been developed by an external contractor.  Additional work is needed to adapt them to WIPO technical requirements and finalize them for publication.

(f) The Traditional Knowledge Division has a creative and active outreach and promotions program, including dynamic use of the website, social media, virtual exhibitions, publications and other means.

Objective of the assignment

Further to the background described above, the objective of the assignment is to assist in the design, planning, organizing and implementing of the activities and projects of the Traditional Knowledge Division such as those mentioned above.

2. Deliverables/services

In the context of the background and objectives described above, and in relation to the activities and projects mentioned, the Contractor is required to:
– conduct research and prepare, update, edit and finalize reports, studies, presentations and other related materials;
– assist with the planning, organization and coordination of activities, including virtual and/or in person consultations and meetings in Geneva and beyond;
– for the two Prizes, and working closely with the WIPO Indigenous Fellow, manage the dedicated online platform for entrants, coordinating the work of external panels of judges, coordinate the launch of the two competitions and organize activities relating to the announcement of the finalists and the winners;
– in collaboration with WIPO’s News and Media Division, assist with sourcing, creation and production of content showcasing the Division’s services, projects and activities (such as feature stories, interviews, social media posts, short films and podcasts) for dissemination through WIPO’s corporate communication channels and the Division’s Facebook page and other channels, and co-manage the Division’s Facebook account, in line with Organization-wide approaches;
– provide additional support to the Division’s Community Entrepreneurship Program, as requested;
– perform such other tasks and duties as requested.

3. Reporting

The Contractor shall report to the Director, Traditional Knowledge Division, or their delegate.

4. Profile

The Contractor should have:
(a) A university degree in law, anthropology, sociology, communications, development studies, political science, business administration or a related discipline;
(b) At least four years’ project management experience and/or promotions and outreach experience, as well as experience in dealing with complex projects within tight deadlines;
(c) The ability to convey complex information in an accessible story-telling manner and to craft clear and compelling content for various platforms, including social media;
(d) The skills to undertake basic production, editing and post-production functions in respect of audio-visual content and design and editing of media assets such as infographics; experience in supporting content creation for websites and e-learning tools would be an advantage;
(e) Good research and writing skills;
(f) Excellent analytical and organizational skills;
(g) Excellent communication, facilitation, stakeholder management and interpersonal skills and the ability to work in a multi-cultural environment;
(h) Prior experience in working with Indigenous Peoples and on Indigenous Peoples’ issues would be an advantage;
(i) Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English; a good knowledge of Spanish and/or French would be an advantage;
(j) Relevant IT skills.

5. Duration of contract and payment

(a) Duration:
The expected duration of the Contract shall preferably be from March 1, 2025, to February 28, 2026.

(b) Payment for the Services:
For the deliverables/services described above, the Organization shall pay the Contractor a fee of Sfr. [….] per working day. Applicants are requested to provide an indication of their remuneration expectations in Swiss francs (daily rate).

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements