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.
1. Organizational Context
a. Organizational Setting
The WIPO Japan Office (WJO) promotes WIPO's global IP services, including those related to patents, trademarks, industrial designs, arbitration and mediation, as well as its global databases, IP Advantage and multi-stakeholder initiatives. It raises awareness of intellectual property among users in Japan through targeted outreach and service delivery. WJO engages with national stakeholders to support the use and development of WIPO services through stakeholder engagement and feedback, and contributes to broader coordination in Japan, including with other United Nations agencies present in the country. It also implements activities in cooperation with the Government of Japan, including through the Japan Funds-in-Trust. The office maintains a Japanese-language website and delivers seminars, training, publications and local customer support.
b. Purpose Statement
The incumbent assists the Director in developing and implementing the Program of Work and Budget of the WIPO Japan Office (WJO) to promote WIPO’s mandate, enhance the quality, accessibility and timeliness of WIPO services for the protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights (IPRs), and support the advancement of WIPO’s broader strategic objectives.
c. Reporting Lines
The incumbent works under the supervision of the Director, WIPO Japan Office.
d. Work Relations
The incumbent builds and maintains effective relationships with internal WIPO stakeholders as well as external counterparts, including government authorities, IP institutions, UN entities, and partner organizations, to advance policy dialogue, outreach, partnerships, and the delivery of WIPO's strategic objectives.
2. Duties and Responsibilities
The incumbent will perform the following principal duties\:
a. Work closely with the Director in developing WJO's program of work and workplan, and oversee the implementation and monitoring to enhance the delivery and use of WIPO's services in Japan.
b. Develop and maintain strategic partnerships with IP stakeholders, government authorities, WIPO Headquarters, External Offices and Japan-based intergovernmental organizations to promote WIPO services, provide IP policy advice, strengthen policy and technical cooperation, and advance WIPO’s objectives in Japan and, as appropriate, the region.
c. Lead outreach, communication and promotional activities relating to WIPO's services, including WIPO Global IP services, alternative dispute resolution services, and other relevant services, tools, databases and partnerships.
d. Organize meetings for IP stakeholders in Japan and, as appropriate, in the region, in consultation with the HQ of WIPO, the host government and other co-organizers to promote WIPO's services.
e. Assist the Director in managing the WJO’s activities and responsibilities, including its administrative and financial management in accordance with applicable rules, regulations and procedures, and manage assigned personnel and evaluate their work.
f. Represent WJO at national and international meetings and events on IP matters.
g. Perform other related duties as required.
3. Requirements
Education (Essential)
Advanced university degree in management, business administration, international relations, law, science, economics or a related field. A first-level university degree plus two years of relevant experience in addition to the experience requested below may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.
Education (Desirable)
Specialization in intellectual property.
Experience (Essential)
At least seven years of related professional experience in one or more of the following fields\: patents, trademarks, industrial designs and copyright, including international experience.
Experience (Desirable)
At least five years of experience working with the public administration of IP in Japan.
Experience of using one of the WIPO services.
Sound experience in at least one of the international IP systems such as PCT, Madrid and the Hague.
Experience in the field of diplomatic relations or international cooperation.
Language (Essential)
Excellent knowledge of written and spoken Japanese and English.
Language (Desirable)
Ability to work in other official UN languages.
Job Related Competencies (Essential)
Ability to plan, coordinate, implement, and monitor programs and activities involving multiple internal and external stakeholders.
Ability to design and implement effective outreach and communication activities for diverse stakeholder audiences.
Ability to manage financial resources in accordance with applicable administrative and financial rules, regulations, and procedures.
Ability to build and enhance internal and external partnerships and promote synergies and WIPO's mandate.
Good knowledge of the subject areas dealt with by the Organization, in particular IP, and ability to draft documents and deliver speeches.
Demonstrated analytical and conceptual skills.
Demonstrated supervisory skills and ability to provide guidance.
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.
Proficiency in digital tools, Microsoft Office applications, AI-enabled applications, and online collaboration platforms. Commitment to continuous learning and the adoption of emerging technologies.
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\:
National Professional Officers (NPOs) are recruited locally in the country of the duty station. NPO shall normally be nationals of the country of the duty station.
Annual salary\: 12664 in thousands of Yen (Total Net)
Salaries and allowances are paid in local currency.
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 overall term of five years is not applicable to WIPO staff members on permanent, continuing or regular fixed-term appointments.
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.