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.
1. Organizational Context
a. Organizational Setting
The post is located in the Innovation Impact Division in the IP for Innovators Department (IPID) of the IP and Innovation Ecosystems Sector (IES). IPID is responsible for establishing and developing frameworks, structures, and capacities to support innovators and creators in using intellectual property (IP) as a tool for sustainable growth and development, while the Division focuses on leveraging technology transfer, IP analytics, and commercialization to support its stakeholders.
b. Purpose Statement
The Director leads WIPO's work on the development of legal and policy frameworks, as well as technical assistance and services enabling innovators and creators to leverage IP for sustainable growth, focusing on technology transfer, IP analytics, and commercialization. She/he sets the strategic direction to scale services offered by WIPO to innovators and creators. She/he maximizes impact by harnessing the management team's deep expertise in these rapidly expanding areas.
c. Reporting Lines
The incumbent works under the supervision of the Senior Director of IP for Innovators Department.
2. Duties and Responsibilities
The incumbent will perform the following principal duties\:
a. Provide strategic direction for the Division’s portfolio across technology transfer, IP analytics and IP commercialization, including strengthening innovation infrastructure and pro innovation legal frameworks for universities, public research institutions and countries; enabling Member States to benefit from IP analytics through technology trend and landscaping reports and guidance to the WIPO IP Analytics Community of Practice; and supporting innovators and ventures in maximizing IP as a commercial and financial asset, including through IP based financing strategies and programs that expand use of the IP system.
b. Ensure that the Division's programs and activities related to the use of IP by innovators and creators, particularly in the areas of technology transfer, IP analytics and IP commercialization, are effectively coordinated with all programs and activities implemented by the Department and the Organization and aligned with WIPO's strategic direction and goals.
c. Direct the Division's portfolio of work and take overall management responsibility for its human and financial resources, determining priorities and allocating resources for the timely and quality delivery of work in accordance with the results-based management framework.
d. Lead, elevate and mentor a high-performing multidisciplinary team in sustainably scaling up the services provided, ensuring high-quality delivery, fostering an innovation-oriented performance culture, cultivating complementary skills, and promoting close collaboration and team spirit across the Division.
e. Lead strategic engagement with WIPO Member States and other stakeholders on issues related to the use of IP by innovators and creators, and represent the Organization in meetings, conferences and negotiations with government counterparts and other stakeholder representatives at the highest levels.
f. Oversee the development of strategies, programs, cooperation and partnerships in the work area to ensure that activities are in line with the Division's mandate. Respond to the priority needs of WIPO Member States and other stakeholders, expand the range, impact and geographical reach of the Division's work in line with the workplan and promote accession to WIPO administrated treaties to contribute to the growing use of WIPO Global IP Services.
g. Perform other related duties as required.
3. Requirements
Education (Essential)
Advanced university degree in management, business administration, political science, international relations, law, natural science, engineering, or related field.
Education (Desirable)
Specialization in intellectual property.
Experience (Essential)
At least fifteen years of progressively responsible professional experience in intellectual property and/or innovation, including at least seven years of managerial experience at a senior level.
Experience at senior level in at least two of the following areas as related to intellectual property\:
· technology transfer;
· IP analytics;
· IP commercialization.
Experience working in an international environment.
Experience leading interdisciplinary teams, fostering collaboration, and driving cultural and operational alignment.
Experience (Desirable)
Experience in strategically engaging with Member States to identify opportunities to strengthen the IP and innovation ecosystems.
Experience in all three of the following areas as related to intellectual property\:
· technology transfer;
· IP analytics;
· IP commercialization.
Language (Essential)
Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English.
Language (Desirable)
Knowledge of other official UN languages.
Job Related Competencies (Essential)
Extensive knowledge of the international IP system.
Expert knowledge of at least two of the following IP fields\: IP analytics, technology transfer, and IP commercialization.
Sound judgment, tact, discretion and good understanding and appreciation of diplomatic processes and sensitivities.
Senior stakeholder engagement and influencing skills.
Confidence in presenting complex ideas and WIPO's vision to global audiences, partners, and stakeholders.
Excellent managerial skills and ability to advise, lead, motivate and manage diverse and multicultural teams, including senior managers by leveraging their deep expertise and experience and to cultivate innovation and manage change.
A data-driven mindset and strong business acumen that can inform current and future plans.
Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills and ability to identify strategic opportunities and synergies.
Excellent organizational skills and ability to develop strategies to accomplish objectives and accountability in delivering results.
Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to maintain effective partnerships and working relations in a multi-cultural environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
Digitally savvy, with the ability to embrace technology for business impact.
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.
5. Information
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 August 2026 rate of 84.3%
D1 | |
Annual salary |
$106,023 |
Post adjustment |
$89,801 |
Total Salary |
$195,824 |
Currency USD |
Salaries and allowances are paid in Swiss francs at the official rate of exchange of the United Nations.
Please refer to WIPO’s Staff Regulation and Rules for detailed information concerning salaries, benefits and allowances.
Additional Information
Initial period of two years, renewable, subject to satisfactory performance. No fixed-term appointment or any extension hereof shall carry with it any expectancy of, nor imply any right to, (further) extensions or conversion to a permanent appointment.
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 an identification and of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WIPO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link\: http\://www.whed.net/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and these will be reviewed individually.
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.