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 in the PCT Offices Services Section of the PCT International Cooperation Division (PCT ICD), PCT Legal and International Affairs Department, Patents and Technology Sector (PTS).  The Division is responsible for the development and implementation of cooperation activities vis-à-vis Offices of Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) Member States in their capacities as Receiving Offices, International Searching and Preliminary Examining Authorities, and Designated and Elected Offices, to contribute to the efficient functioning of the PCT system and promote a better understanding of the PCT and the patent system among Offices' staff, practitioners and users, covering, inter alia, operational, technical, procedural, legal and training activities. It also includes the design and follow-up of promotional and support activities for WIPO Member States that are non-PCT States.

The PCT Offices Services Section is responsible for keeping open contact and continuous interaction with national and regional industrial property offices and countries interested in joining the PCT.  The PCT Offices Services Section designs, monitors, implements, evaluates, and reports on all cooperation activities in the PCT Member States and International Authorities, as well as related communication strategies, and provides legal and procedural information.  These cooperation activities include, among other things, seminars, webinars, workshops, meetings, and training courses.

b.    Purpose Statement

The primary objective of this role is to promote the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) and its associated services and tools, with a strong focus on technical assistance and capacity building among Member States and stakeholders. The role aims to enhance the use of the PCT route for international patent protection, thereby supporting innovation ecosystems and the global IP system development.  The incumbent contributes to the coordination, development, and implementation of international cooperation activities related to PCT, aiming to create training capacities to respond to the evolving demand for PCT knowledge in a tailored manner, focused on specific goals and priorities.

c.     Reporting Lines

The incumbent works under the supervision of the Head of the Section.

d.    Work Relations

The incumbent liaises with relevant government institutions, including national IP offices, permanent missions, patent attorneys’ associations, scientific and academic institutions, etc., ensuring a consistent approach and alignment with organizational priorities and standards.  He/she has regular contact with IP government officials, experts, and consultants from different fields, including business, education, and digital marketing. Internal coordination with colleagues from PTS, but also from other Sectors in the implementation of the relevant activities should be prioritized by the incumbent.

The incumbent will perform the following principal duties\:

a.   Design, monitor, and implement initiatives to raise awareness and understanding of the PCT system, its benefits, and its tools, among Member States, potential member states, and key stakeholders. This includes organizing and delivering projects, targeted capacity-building activities, technical assistance, and outreach programs to support countries in acceding to the PCT and in effectively using the PCT for international patent filings.

b.   Establish, maintain contacts and proactively engage with PCT Member States, including regional organizations of such States, Industrial Property Offices, International Authorities, Geneva-based representatives of such States or organizations, and regional groups coordinators to foster collaboration and support for PCT-related cooperation activities.

c.   Provide tailored legal and procedural information to Member States and to countries interested in joining the PCT, as required.

d.   Prepare internal reports and other documents for the Section and/or the Division (ranging from evaluation reports on the deployment of cooperation activities and other working documents), including proposals for promotional material, news, feature stories, editorial, and social media content) liaising with concerned work units in the sector and throughout the Organization on such matters, as required.

e.   Represent the Organization at national, international, and regional meetings and deliver PCT-related presentations thereto.

f.    Keep abreast of developments in PCT and provide input for the improvement of the PCT system and promotion, and liaise with concerned work units in the sector and throughout the Organization to share knowledge on project activities and outcomes, and to coordinate future actions.

g.   Foster a culture of providing high quality customer-focused services by identifying varying customer needs, recommending best practices which can improve customer interactions and, proactively addressing potential issues before they impact the customer experience.

h.   Perform other related duties as required.

Education (Essential)

First-level university degree, preferably in law, business, international relations, international development, communications, science, engineering, or another closely related field.

Education (Desirable)

Specialization or further qualification in intellectual property law.

Specialized training or certification in project management, capacity building, or international cooperation.

Experience (Essential)

At least six years of progressively responsible relevant experience in international patent systems, particularly the PCT.

Experience in development-related activities.

Experience in one or more of the following areas\:

·       Capacity-building, technical assistance, or international cooperation preferably in the context of intellectual property.

·       Stakeholder engagement with national IP offices, international organizations, or government institutions.

·       Designing and delivering training, seminars, or outreach programs related to IP or legal frameworks.

Experience in the international organizations’ ecosystem or comparable environment.

Experience (Desirable)

Experience with the PCT from either the perspective of an intellectual property office, an intergovernmental organization, or a user of the system.  

Experience in working on IP-related development cooperation activities from the perspective of an IP Office or an intergovernmental organization.  

Experience in project design and management.

Language (Essential)

Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English.

Language (Desirable)

Good knowledge of French.

Knowledge of, at least, another PCT publication language, preferably Spanish and/or Portuguese.

Job Related Competencies (Essential)

Good knowledge of the PCT.

Proven ability to design, implement, and monitor global initiatives, including outreach and promotion activities, platforms and partnerships, and track effectiveness of activities and engagement through established metrics and data analytics.

Strong analytical, decision-making and problem-solving skills.

Strong organizational skills, meticulous planning, project management and stakeholder engagement skills, including the ability to make the best used of data-driven insights.

Ability to work on own initiative and as a member of a team and develop managerial skills.

Excellent communication, and interpersonal skills and ability to maintain effective internal and external partnerships and working relations in a multi-cultural environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity, including with officials at all levels. 

Tact and discretion.

Ability to cultivate innovation and manage change, proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives, and accountability in delivering results.

Excellent political judgment and capacity to work well with a range of stakeholders.

Excellent presentation skills.

Familiarity with WIPO’s mandate and work.

Strong client-orientation.

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 January 2026 rate of 86.8%

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.