Title of Assignment: Technical Project Manager

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

Place of Assignment: WIPO Headquarters, Geneva

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

Expected duration of assignment: November 1, 2024, to November 30, 2025

1. Background and objectives

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 80 percent of the developing world depends on traditional medical knowledge (TMK) for their primary healthcare needs. For example, in Ethiopia, 90 percent depend on traditional medicine for primary healthcare . Traditional medicine is not only a vital source of health care, but also an important source of income for many communities.
Since the pandemic of the Covid-19, the need to create awareness and build the capacity of traditional healers, research institutions and other stakeholders to deal with intellectual property (IP) issues relating to TMK has become pressing. The WIPO Traditional Knowledge Division’s Training, Mentoring and Match-Making Program on Intellectual Property and Traditional Medical Knowledge (TMK program) in Africa was launched, aiming at establishing and supporting an innovation ecosystem related to and based on traditional medical knowledge. The Program’s purpose is to assist communities and support traditional medicine practitioners by collaborating with research institutions and IP offices to better understand how to protect and benefit from TMK.

The objective of the assignment is to assist the Traditional Knowledge Division with the design, organization and delivery of the TMK Program.

2. Deliverables

In the context of the background and objective described above, the Individual Contractor is required to:
a) Manage, plan, coordinate and organize activities, including training activities and meetings, related to the TMK projects;
b) Prepare TMK projects related documents;
c) Provide logistical, administrative and substantive support to the TMK projects related activities, as appropriate;
d) Provide technical support to participants and mentors in the activities and brief them as needed;
e) Conduct research and prepare, update, and edit reports, studies, questionnaires and other materials related to TMK;
f) Provide additional support, as appropriate and needed.

The Contractor may also be requested to perform other tasks as required by the activities of the Traditional Knowledge Division.

3. Reporting

The Contractor shall report to Ms. Fei Jiao, Program Officer, Traditional Knowledge Division.

4. Profile of the consultant

The Contractor should have:
(a) A university degree related to traditional or conventional medicine and/ or public health, scientific research, epidemiology and statistics, biodiversity and environmental sciences, policy science, law, anthropology or a related discipline;
(b) Technical knowledge of TMK;
(c) A background in IP would be desirable;
(d) Project management experience or skills;
(e) At least 4 years’ professional experience;
(f) Good research and writing skills;
(g) Excellent analytical and organizational skills;
(h) Excellent communication, facilitation, stakeholder management and interpersonal skills and the ability to work in a multi-cultural environment;
(i) Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English. Knowledge of another United Nations official language, particularly French, would be desirable; and
(j) Relevant IT skills.

5. Duration of contract 

The duration of the Contract shall be from November 1, 2024, to November 30, 2025.

6. Confidentiality

The Contractor shall not disclose or discuss this assignment with any third party other than as envisaged in the present terms of reference, except as may otherwise be authorized by WIPO in writing.

7. Applications

Applicants are requested to provide an indication of their remuneration expectations in Swiss francs (daily rate).