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 WIPO Academy, the core entity in WIPO for training and capacity-building activities establishing strong partnerships with WIPO Member States, academic institutions, and stakeholders to enhance the range and delivery of training and knowledge transfer. The Academy serves as the cornerstone for training, eLearning, and capacity-building initiatives, functioning as an international center of excellence for both general and professional training in the service of IP and innovation particularly for developing countries, LDCs, countries with economies in transition and WIPO staff. Positioned as a catalyst, the IP eLearning, and Internal Training Division, primarily strengthens, and expands the scope of innovation impact through enhanced IP support skills and capacities at national, regional, and international levels.

The Division defines the strategic course of training managed by the Internal Training Section for a global-facing IP workforce while meeting Member States’ increasing demand for intellectual property (IP) education.

The Division works closely with HRMD, and in collaboration with all Sectors, and WIPO Member States, external partners, and stakeholders to deliver development-oriented IP and professional enhancement (non-IP) training, eLearning, and capacity-building support according to demand and adapting to technological advancements that are shaping the evolving needs of the Organization.

b.    Purpose Statement

The Director of IP eLearning and Internal Training Program oversees and develops the integrated direction and execution of duties to centrally position training in WIPO’s culture and identity. As the lead executor for the integration of emerging training methodologies in support of IP and innovation, the incumbent plays a leadership role in the overall success of managing resources allocated from the regular and Funds-in-Trust programs and exercises supervision and operational leadership of WIPO’s eLearning and Internal Training Sections.

c.    Reporting Lines

The Director of IP eLearning and Internal Training Program reports to the Executive Director of the WIPO Academy, Regional and National Development Sector.

d.    Work Relations

The incumbent liaises extensively with HRMD, the Senior Leadership Team as well as with Program Directors and Managers throughout the Organization, key external stakeholders and counterparts across the U.N. common system and Member States.

The incumbent will perform the following principal duties:

a.   Direct and guide the strategic development of policies and initiatives aimed at bridging IP knowledge and skill gaps and increase Member States’ access to core IP learning and training.  Chart and guide the use of adaptive learning methodologies, eLearning content, and cutting-edge educational technologies in alignment with international standards and national IP legal frameworks.

b.   Lead, expand, and sustain the development and execution of strategic cooperation agreements and partnerships.  Ensure academic compliance and brand adherence oversight in scalable eLearning and development-oriented IP education and institutional capacity building. Advance communication on Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) in alignment with WIPO Academy’s mandate and strategic vision.

c.   Lead strategic engagement with WIPO Member States overseeing the application of results-based management to program planning. Anticipate future challenges and topical substantive development in IP learning and training and adjust to changes in the international innovation environment.

d.   Direct and communicate the educational technology strategy of the WIPO Academy eLearning Centre, overseeing all facets of implementation, overall data analysis and support to other WIPO Academy programs.

e.   Direct the planning, design, and implementation of an integrated staff learning strategy.  Expedite the use of emerging education technologies and foster leadership in training. Manage learning analysis, dynamic response, research and evaluation to meet the evolving needs. Contribute towards a strengthened WIPO learning culture.

f.    Manage the creation and development of the Internal Training Section and the development of an agile learning system in collaboration with HRMD.  Ensure compliance with Enterprise Resource Planning. Provide strategic direction for training portfolio development and communication aligning resources in response to the needs of multiple Sectors across the organization.

g.   Lead strategic projects on integration of creativity and innovation-focused education to support policy level intermediaries in Member States.  Manage pioneering initiatives to transfer knowledge, sustain and expand IP, innovation, and related skills development for new and underrepresented communities (youth, women and girls, SME executives, STEAME students, judges, diplomats, and educators) in developing countries.

h.   Guide the effective and efficient management and supervision of staff, financial, and material resources in the Division. Foster cross-sectoral collaboration to develop innovative approaches to training, skills development, and IP capacity building.

i.    Represent WIPO at high-level international, regional, and national meetings.  Provide strategic and leadership advice regarding organizational education and skills development demonstrating the highest value to stakeholders and beneficiaries in relation to their training context.

j.    Perform other related duties as required.

Education (Essential)

Advanced university degree in IP, sciences, education, instructional design, computer science, information technology, or related discipline.  A relevant 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)

A minimum of 15 years of relevant professional and management experience in the field of adult education, strategic planning, organizational design, and business partnership.

Experience (Desirable)

Experience combining programs, training and capacity building, change and results-based management.

Proven learning experience in Leadership or Management, eLearning and training capacity building in multiple languages, staff training experience (skills building, learning and development process and design, leadership and management programs, collaborative initiatives with universities, expertise in IP and non-IP training).

Language (Essential)

Excellent written and spoken knowledge of English or French and good knowledge of the other language.

Language (Desirable)

Knowledge of other UN official languages.

Job Related Competencies (Essential)

Sound knowledge planning and designing processes and programs in distance learning and internal workforce training.

Excellent knowledge of international law, IP law, and public administration procedures.

Strong leadership and management competencies, including success in leading a large team, and managing financial resources coupled with effective planning and results-based delivery skills.

Proven ability to lead organizational and cultural change within a results-based and revenue-driven framework.

Excellent managerial skills and ability to advise, lead and motivate and manage divers and multicultural teams, respecting cultural, gender, and behavioral differences.

Holistic vision and capacity to advice and develop strategic and operational solutions and to anticipate constraints in the delivery of services, identification of and implementation of solutions.

Ability to effectively contribute to organizational issues, navigate ambiguity, prioritize and deliver results.

Excellent interpersonal skills and capacity to maintain effective partnerships and working relations both internally and externally with sensitivity and respect for diversity.

Strong understanding of and familiarity with the latest blended learning technology, research, analysis, and database management.

Proficient user of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) and, Internet, and competence to adapt quickly to new systems and tools.

Job Related Competencies (Desirable)

Good knowledge of policies and conditions of learning and development in the UN common system, academic institutions, and networks.

Managing relations with training providers, platforms, and vendor relations.

Understanding of procurement policies and standards.

Knowledge acquisition and experience sharing using digital management systems, machine learning, and robotics.

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 April 2024 rate of 84.8%

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.