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.

This post is a limited-term fixed-term post. 

a.    Organizational Setting

The post is located in the IP Office Business Solutions Division, Infrastructure and Platforms Sector. The IP Office Business Solutions Division delivers technical solutions and related services to enable Intellectual Property offices (IP offices) (not limited to Industrial Property offices but include offices in charge of other types of intellectual property, such as copyright offices) to implement digital transformation programs that provide improved IP administration services to their stakeholders.

b.    Purpose Statement

As Director of the Division, the incumbent is responsible for planning the strategy and managing the delivery of the division’s activities to support digital transformation of IP offices.

c.     Reporting Lines

The incumbent works under the supervision of the Assistant Director General of the Infrastructure and Platforms Sector.

d.    Work Relations

The incumbent works closely with senior management of IP offices, with other Divisions, inter alia, Global Databases Division, other Sectors of WIPO including regional Divisions and WIPO External Offices.

The incumbent will perform the following principal duties\:

a.   Shape Vision for Digital Transformation of IP Offices. Define and champion a forward-looking vision for the evolution of IP offices’ digital maturity in close consultation with key stakeholders. Align this vision with WIPO’s strategic objectives and global trends in technology, ensuring that products and services anticipate future needs and foster innovation across IP ecosystems.

b.   Drive Strategic Design and Delivery of IT Solutions for Digital Transformation.  Lead the design, deployment, and continuous improvement of IT solutions for IP offices, such as WIPO Office Suite (which includes Intellectual Property Administration System (IPAS)) and other digital platforms. Ensure solutions incorporate cloud hosting, AI models, and secure architectures, tailored to the needs of IP offices and aligned with WIPO’s strategic framework. Ensure these solutions are scalable, interoperable, and aligned with the long-term digital transformation roadmap for IP offices.

c.   Define and Implement Delivery Strategy.  Establish and oversee strategies for\:
1.   Solution Delivery - ensuring implementation aligns with strategic priorities and delivers measurable impact.
2.   Governance and Risk Management - embedding robust planning, governance, and risk management frameworks across all initiatives.
3.   Support and Knowledge Transfer - building sustainable capacity in IP offices through training and ongoing technical assistance.

d.   Strengthen Global Partnerships.  Lead engagement and cooperation with stakeholders beyond IP offices - such as regional IP organizations, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, member states, donor agencies, and the private sector - to build coalitions that advance WIPO’s digital transformation agenda. Position WIPO as a thought leader in IP digitalization through strategic partnerships and advocacy.

e.   Portfolio leadership and Resource Management.  Direct the Division's portfolio with a focus on strategic impact and take overall management responsibility for its human and financial resources, determining priorities and allocating resources for the timely and quality delivery of work products, in accordance with results-based management principles. Ensure that key risks are identified, assessed and managed for the achievement of agreed results and that risk management is embedded in all core processes and functions.

f.    Representation and Expertise.  Represent the Organization at senior-level meetings and provide substantive expertise and authoritative advice on the deployment of IT business systems to improve registration and management services to stakeholders; prepare and present reports, training materials and presentations.

g.   Perform related duties as required.

Education (Essential)

Advanced university degree in science, engineering, information technology or related technical field. A first-level university degree with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Education (Desirable)

Certification in project management (e.g., PMP, PRINCE2) and/or business process improvement, reflecting ability to lead complex digital transformation initiatives.

Experience (Essential)

At least 15 years of progressively responsible professional experience managing complex IT programs or digital transformation initiatives in government, international organizations or IP related environments, including at least five years in a senior management role with high-level stakeholder management. 

Significant experience in project and program management, including governance, risk management, and delivery of large-scale IT solutions across multi-country environments. 

Experience with business and administrative processes of national or regional IP offices, including at least five years in a leadership or advisory capacity. 

Demonstrated success in designing and implementing enterprise IT systems, preferably for IP offices or IP-related institutions, and incorporating cloud hosting and cybersecurity frameworks.

Experience navigating sensitive contexts and building consensus among diverse partners, including government entities, international organizations, and/or corporate stakeholders.

Experience (Desirable)

Experience in provision of services, particularly for developing countries.

Experience in managing external funds and resources.

Language (Essential)

Excellent written and spoken English.

Language (Desirable)

Good knowledge of at least one other UN official language.

Job Related Competencies (Essential)

Proven ability to lead teams of internal staff and external contractors to deliver complex technical projects on time and within scope.

Ability to anticipate future trends and translate them into actionable strategies.

Comprehensive knowledge of modern information technologies - including cloud, AI, and automation - and their application to improve business processes and enhance customer experience.

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

Strong diplomatic skills and political acumen for engaging effectively with member states, government officials, and international partners in sensitive and complex coordination contexts.

Persuasion skills to align diverse stakeholders around common goals.

Ability to cultivate innovation, manage organizational change, and proactively develop strategies to achieve objectives, ensuring accountability for results.

Strong problem-solving capabilities and sound judgment to make strategic decisions under uncertainty and complexity.

Job Related Competencies (Desirable)

Familiarity with IP standards and digitalization trends in intellectual property ecosystems.

Familiarity with global trends in digital transformation, IP systems, and best practices across public and private sectors.

Ability to act as a thought leader in global IP digitalization.

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 December 2025 rate of 91.1%

Please refer to WIPO’s Staff Regulation and Rules for detailed information concerning salaries, benefits and allowances.

Additional Information

Initial fixed-term appointment of two years, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and other applicable conditions.  The selected candidate’s appointment will be subject to an overall term of five years in this position, with normally no possibility of renewal beyond that term.  S/he may, however, apply and be considered for other positions at WIPO.  

This is not applicable to WIPO staff members on fixed-term, continuing or permanent appointments, who were recruited following a competition under Staff Regulation 4.10 (“Appointment Boards”). 

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.

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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 your identification and the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WIPO recognizes higher educational qualifications obtained from institutions accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list maintained by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed here\: http\://www.whed.net/. Some higher educational qualifications may not be listed in WHED, and will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

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.