Associate Program Officer

Office of the Deputy Director General (PTS), Patents and Technology Sector

Contract Duration - 2 years (maximum cumulative length of 5 years) *

Duty Station: CH-Geneva

Application Deadline: 08-Jan-2026, 11:59:00 PM CET

1. Organizational Context

a.
Organizational Setting

The post is located in the Office of the Deputy Director General (DDG) of the Patents and Technology Sector (PTS). The team is responsible for the development, monitoring, and implementation of WIPO's strategy on the role of IP in support of women and girls, the Intellectual Property and Gender Action Plan (IPGAP), as well as other activities and initiatives related to women's participation in the IP and innovation system. The IPGAP frames WIPO's work assisting governments in developing evidence-driven policy to address women's underuse of the IP system, identifying the scope and nature of that underuse, and piloting projects and initiatives to build the IP knowledge and skills of women and girls and the institutions that support them.

b.
Purpose Statement

The incumbent will be responsible for contributing to education, research, and capacity building supporting IPGAP implementation and related matters through close collaboration across WIPO sectors as well as with external stakeholders including Member States, policymakers, IP and innovation offices, government officials, the private sector, women innovators, creators, and entrepreneurs, international organizations, academics, and students. Under the supervision of the Senior Advisor, the incumbent will also assist in implementing initiatives and projects under the IPGAP and any future strategies relating to IP in support of women and girls.

c.
Reporting Lines

The incumbent works under the supervision of the Senior Advisor, IP and Gender, Office of the DDG, PTS.

2. Duties and Responsibilities

The incumbent will perform the following principal duties:

a.
Under the supervision of the Senior Advisor, coordinate the implementation of medium-term projects under the IPGAP and any future strategies relating to IP in support of women and girls.

b.
Organize and participate in virtual as well as in-person educational and capacity-building events.

c.
Conduct research and draft short reports relating to IP, innovation and women.

d.
Draft briefing documents, speeches, talking points, and articles as required, clearly presenting data and research.

e.
Attend meetings, workshops, and seminars as needed and provide clear reporting, analysis, and recommendations.

f.
Develop communications assets, such as social media, articles, and other outreach and assets, working horizontally across sectors and teams throughout WIPO, and externally as needed.

g.
Support the organization and implementation of World IP Day, International Women's Day and other relevant activities and events.

h.
Contribute to key performance indicators and the systematic monitoring of engagement, user feedback, and service metrics. Utilize insights to evaluate the effectiveness of activities, enhance service delivery and promotional efforts, identify emerging trends, and recommend improvements and best practices.

i.
Perform other related duties.

3. Requirements

Education (Essential)

First-level university degree, preferably in law, science, business management/economics, technology, public policy, or international relations.

Education (Desirable)

Specialization in intellectual property.

Experience (Essential)

At least 3 years of relevant professional experience, including experience in intellectual property, in the public or private sector using knowledge of law, entrepreneurship, or project management in the international environment.

Experience (Desirable)

Experience in implementing programs or initiatives for women or other groups underrepresented in the IP ecosystem.

Language (Essential)

Excellent written and spoken knowledge of English.

Language (Desirable)

Knowledge of another UN language.

Job Related Competencies (Essential)

Excellent knowledge of innovation, intellectual property systems, and/or business and entrepreneurship.

Strong research and writing skills.

Excellent independent organizational and planning skills.

Proven ability to communicate and collaborate across teams in a cross-sectoral role.

Excellent analytical and communication skills.

Ability to interpret data trends and provide evidence-based recommendations.

Sound political judgement and capacity to work well with a range of actors and across all levels of seniority.

Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to maintain effective partnerships and working relations in a multi-cultural environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.

Competent user of Microsoft Office applications, Zoom, and ability to adapt quickly to new systems and software.

4. Organizational Competencies

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.

For more information, including on the salaries and benefits, please check the WIPO Careers website.