Senior Program Officer

Technology Transfer Section, IP for Innovators Department (IPID), IP and Innovation Ecosystems Sector

Contract Duration - 2 years *

Duty Station: CH-Geneva

Application Deadline: 14-Jan-2026, 11:59:00 PM CET

1. Organizational Context

a.
Organizational Setting

The Technology Transfer Section (TTS) is located in the IP for Innovators Department, within the IP and Innovation Ecosystems Sector of WIPO. The Section works with universities, public research institutions, innovation agencies, and government ministries to strengthen institutional and ecosystem capacity for Knowledge and Technology Transfer (K/TT).

The TTS develops tools and resources, supports policy and legislative frameworks, and provides evidence and data to help Member States translate IP from research outputs, into social and economic impact.

Within TTS, the Policy and Legislation work area leads WIPO's initiatives on developing and promoting institutional IP policies and, national innovation laws. This work area assists universities and research institutions in adopting clear, transparent, and effective institutional IP policies that govern the creation, ownership, management, and valorization of research outputs. It also supports Member States in drafting, modernizing, and implementing national innovation laws that enable effective knowledge and technology transfer, align with socio-economic development priorities, and reflect international good practice. Together, this work provides institutions and governments with the policy foundations needed to manage IP assets responsibly and to maximize the contribution of research and innovation to development.

b.
Purpose Statement

The incumbent leads the Policy and Legislation area within the Technology Transfer Section, focusing on assisting Member States to create IP policy and legislative foundations that enable effective knowledge and technology transfer.

The incumbent designs and oversees programs to assist universities and public research institutions develop and implement institutional IP policies that provide transparent and predictable frameworks for managing IP ownership, protection, exploitation, and benefit-sharing, and for guiding researchers, students and technology transfer professionals in the use and valorization of research results.

They also coordinate support to Member States in drafting and modernizing innovation laws and policies that underpin IP in national knowledge and technology transfer systems, and foster collaboration between academia, research institutions and industry to strengthen innovation capacity and contributions to broader socio-economic development goals.

The work ensures that WIPO provides timely, high-quality, context-sensitive and locally relevant policy and legislative assistance based on international best practices.

c.
Reporting Lines

The incumbent works under the supervision of the Head, Technology Transfer Section.

d.
Work Relations

The incumbent works closely with internal stakeholders throughout the organization, as well as with external stakeholders engaged in research, innovation, and policy development such as ministries responsible for science, technology, education, industry, and entrepreneurship; national innovation agencies; universities and public research institutions; and technology transfer offices. The incumbent also collaborates with regional and international professional associations, and partners involved in IP, innovation, and higher education policy.

2. Duties and Responsibilities

The incumbent will perform the following principal duties:

a.
Provide expert advice and technical assistance to universities, public research institutions and governments on the design, adoption, and implementation of institutional IP policies.

b.
Support Member States in drafting, modernizing, and implementing innovation laws that enable effective knowledge and technology transfer and valorization.

c.
Monitor IP policy trends and international best practices and prepare studies and analyses to inform WIPO's policy and legislative support.

d.
Identify emerging needs and lead the development of new initiatives, the creation, updating and management of tools and resources related to the Policy and Legislation work area, including toolkits, guides, databases, and model policies and laws, including through coordinating the work of external experts.

e.
Act as focal point for coordination across WIPO on institutional IP policies and innovation laws, ensuring coherence and alignment with related programs.

f.
Establish and maintain working relations with ministries, innovation agencies, universities, research institutions, professional associations, and other stakeholders engaged in policy and legislative development.

g.
Plan, organize and deliver capacity-building activities, including training courses, workshops, and conferences on institutional IP policies, innovation laws, and knowledge and technology transfer in academic and research settings.

h.
Represent WIPO at international meetings, conferences, and policy dialogues, and provide authoritative advice in the area of IP policy, innovation laws, and knowledge and technology transfer.

i.
Actively promote accession to WIPO administrated treaties and contribute to the growing use of WIPO Global IP Services.

j.
Perform other related duties as required.

3. Requirements

Education (Essential)

Advanced university degree in law, economics, public policy, business management, international relations, science, engineering, or another relevant discipline.

A first-level university degree plus two additional years of relevant professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Experience (Essential)

At least seven years of relevant professional experience in IP management within research intensive organizations, including institutional IP policy development or national innovation law.

Experience working on institutional capacity building, knowledge and technology transfer, or innovation performance in universities or public research institutions and professional associations.

Experience in project management and technical assistance, including the design, coordination and delivery of capacity-building activities tailored to the needs of academic and research institutions.

Experience (Desirable)

Experience in an international, multinational, or multicultural environment.

Language (Essential)

Excellent knowledge of English.

Language (Desirable)

Knowledge of another official UN language.

Job Related Competencies (Essential)

In-depth knowledge of IP systems, institutional IP policy frameworks, innovation law, and technology transfer processes.

Excellent analytical and organizational skills, with proven ability to manage projects and deliver results within budget and deadlines.

Strong drafting skills and ability to prepare clear and concise documents, reports, and training material.

Ability to build effective partnerships with ministries, research institutions, innovation agencies, and professional associations.

Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work in a multicultural environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.

Strong outreach and representation skills, including experience in presenting evidence and recommendations in high-level forums and international events.

Knowledge of WIPO's Global IP services.

Solid IT skills and ability to adapt to new software solutions and tools, and leveraging AI in the delivery of their duties.

Understanding of governance and administrative processes in universities and public research organizations.

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

Job Related Competencies (Desirable)

Familiarity with capacity-building objectives and methods in IP and technology transfer.

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.

9. Developing yourself and others.

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