Title of Assignment: Innovation Economic Analyst

Name of unit/sector: Innovation Economy Section (IES), Department of Economics and Data Analytics (DEDA)

Place of Assignment: Geneva, Switzerland

Expected duration of assignment: From January 6 to August 31, 2025

1. Objective of the assignment

The consultancy is located in the Innovation Economy Section, Department of Economics and Data Analytics, IP and Innovation Ecosystems Sector.  This Innovation Economy Section is responsible for providing high quality empirical analysis addressing economic challenges in the international IP system and assessing the economic effects of IP policy choices.

The Innovation Economic Analyst is responsible for conducting economic and data analysis work on innovation economics in the preparation of WIPO’s flagship World Intellectual Property Report 2026 (WIPR 2026) and other research outputs, including:

(i) producing and supporting the section’s team research work on the preparation of new studies, such as those to be used in the 2026’s edition of WIPR;
(ii) Condition and update the innovation data prepared for economic research for the elaboration of such studies;
(iii) delivering and supporting the section’s team research work dissemination (e.g. WIPR previous editions); and,
(iv) assessing the outputs produced by external parties (such as leading scholars and institutions conducting innovation economic research).

The consultant works under the supervision of the Head of the section. The consultant works in collaboration with the section team, as well as with other WIPO units requesting or facilitating innovation related economic and data analysis work.

2. Deliverables/services

The Consultant shall undertake the following tasks:

(a) Provide inputs to analytical reports, including developing report outlines, drafting specific chapters, consulting with concerned internal and external technical parties, and supporting the report’s dissemination.
(b) Conduct economic studies in response to specific needs identified by Member States and senior management, as assigned; prepare briefings on innovation and related economic issues.
(c) Develop databases on innovation for specific empirical research and outreach purposes.
(d) Conduct training and briefings of national experts for the transfer of results and methodologies elaborated in research activities.
(e) Provide technical input for the development and maintenance of internal and public web pages, including the development and maintenance of economic study bibliographies and databases.
(f) Establish and maintain contacts with academic economists, government experts and IP policymakers to exchange information.
(g) Contribute to the advancement of scientific knowledge in the area of innovation economics and related by preparing or contributing to presenting technical papers.
(h) Participate in the activities of the sector, including providing inputs to the work of the other units.
(i) Perform other related duties as required.

3. Reporting 

The Consultant will work under the supervision of the Head of the Innovation Economy Section.

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

Education

Essential
• Advanced university degree in economics or equivalent (i.e., with a strong focus on data analytics, data modeling and statistical and econometric methods).

Desirable
• PhD in economics or a related field, with specialization on innovation economics.

Experience

Essential
• At least two years of relevant professional experience, including: (i) empirical research on IP, innovation and development; or, (ii) the application of data analytics to inform decision-making; (iii) the application of diverse communication tools to inform data analysis to a less technical audience.

• Background in economic data analysis, data analytics, econometrics and statistics, especially using big data tools and IP databases for economic analysis.

Desirable
• Experience working with governmental or international organizations.
• Experience communicating results to a non-technical / non-academic audience

Languages

Essential
• Excellent written and spoken knowledge of English.

Desirable
• Excellent written and spoken knowledge of other UN official languages.

Knowledge, skills and competencies

Essential
• Good knowledge of the functioning of the intellectual property system.
• Ability to conceptualize and design research techniques.
• Ability to use analytical tools and qualitative and quantitative techniques.
• Excellent report drafting skills.
• Excellent analytical and organizational skills.
• Ability to work on own initiative and as a member of a team.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and ability to maintain effective partnerships and working relations in a multicultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
• Strong IT skills, especially with regard to statistical and econometric software (MS Excel, STATA, Python and R).  Ability to make use of large innovation and IP related databases.

5. Duration of contract and payment

The contract shall be effective from January 6, 2025, to August 31, 2025.

For the deliverables/services described in paragraph 2, above, the Organization shall pay the Consultant the fixed price of (TBD) Swiss francs (CHF) per day, up to a maximum of 120 days per 6-month period. 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