Young Experts Program (YEP)

 

1.    Introduction and Organizational Context

a.    Introduction 

WIPO’s Young Experts Program is a brand new initiative, aimed at forging the next generation of intellectual property leaders.  The two-year program hosted at WIPO is designed to expose young people with high potential, particularly from developing and least developed countries, as well as countries in transition, to the technical and policy aspects of IP.  The program aims to gear them up for leadership positions within the innovation and creative ecosystems of their home countries and regions. YEP selectees will enjoy a wide-ranging and cohesive WIPO working experience, focused on on-the-job learning trough a rotational system for exposure to different sectors, focus areas and colleagues. The YEP will also include a structured program of mentoring for each Young Expert as well as regular networking opportunities with top and senior leadership at WIPO. 

WIPO expects the Young Experts to bring fresh ideas and experiences to WIPO and, for them to share our values, passion and dedication towards attaining our mission - to lead the development of a balanced and effective international IP system.

b.   Organizational Context

YEP assignments will be across WIPO and most will consist of a one-year technical assignment combined with a one-year broader assignment in development.  The selected Young Experts will be allocated to assignments in accordance with organizational needs and priorities and based on the profile and expressed interest of the candidates.  

c.    Reporting Lines

The Young Expert will be assigned a direct supervisor and be under the general guidance of the relevant Sector Lead.

d.    Work Relations

The Young Expert will work with colleagues in Divisions and Departments across the whole of WIPO, as well as external partners.
 

 

2.    Assignments 2022 - 2023 (11)

Assignment 1 (YEP 1)

 

2022 - IP Commercialization Section, IP for Business Division, IP and Innovation Ecosystems Sector. 

2023 - Division for Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), Regional and National Development Sector.

Assignment

Working in the IP Commercialization Section and Division for Latin America and the Caribbean, you will assist with designing and implementing initiatives, tools and skills building programs on IP commercialization with an emphasis on small businesses and securing finance in the LAC region.  You will design and implement skills building initiatives tailored to LAC Exporters and Export Agencies, and work on initiatives focused on IP and gender, IP and Youth, including innovators and entrepreneurs.

Additional Essential Requirements

Excellent written and spoken Spanish

Excellent drafting skills in English and Spanish

 

Assignment 2 (YEP 2)

 

2022 - Copyright Development Division, Copyright and Creative Industries Sector.

2023 - IP Commercialization Section, IP for Business Division, IP and Innovation Ecosystems Sector. 

Assignment

Working in the Copyright Development Division and IP Commercialization Section, you will assist in designing and implementing technical assistance projects, initiatives and tools for creative industries to build capacity of small creative businesses.  You will undertake market research to understand the needs of small creative businesses, develop a network of these businesses to trial, and tailor potential offerings.

Additional Essential Requirements

Knowledge of copyright and related rights

Project Management skills

Understanding of the needs of developing countries

 

Assignment 3 (YEP 3)

 

 

 

2022 - Traditional Knowledge Division, Global Challenges and Partnerships Sector.

2023 - Copyright Development Division, Copyright and Creative Industries Sector.

Assignment

You will work on practical skills development projects for local communities on a global scale.  Projects  empowering local community entrepreneurs to make effective use of IP. You will support local communities who wish to digitize their intangible cultural heritage, including designing an arts prize for young members of indigenous and local communities, and testing options for the registration of traditional expressions.   You will then work on projects focusing on how copyright and related rights can support creative communities and business / entrepreneurs, whilst continuing the engagement with the youth of local communities.

Additional Essential Requirements

Interest and/ or experience in local and rural economic and / or cultural development and engaging with indigenous and / or local communities

Project management skills

Knowledge of copyright and related rights

 

 

Assignment 4 (YEP 4)

 

 

2022 - Division for Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), Regional and National Development Sector.

2023 - Technology Transfer Section, IP for Innovators Department, IP and Innovation Ecosystems Sector.

Assignment

Working in the Division for Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) and Technology Transfer Section, you will be involved in the preparation, implementation and follow-up of High Level Meetings in LAC, special country projects related to technology transfer and IP Policies, as well as capacity building programs based on WIPO Tools.  You will design and implement initiatives focused on fostering IP, technology transfer and innovation in academic institutions, women and youth, and leveraging the use of IP by innovation stakeholders. 

Additional Essential Requirements

Excellent written and spoken English and Spanish

Excellent drafting skills in English and Spanish

Basic knowledge of IP and technology transfer issues

 

 

Assignment 5 (YEP 5)

 

 

 

2022 - Technology Transfer Section, IP for Innovators Department, IP and Innovation Ecosystems Sector.

2023 - Section for Caucasian, Central Asian and Eastern European Countries (CACEEC), Regional and National Development Sector.

Assignment

Working in the Technology Transfer Section, IP for Innovators Department and the Section for Caucasian, Central Asian and Eastern European Countries (CACEEC), you will actively support the development and translation of Technology Transfer Tools.  You will organize capacity building programs, which you will help, monitor and evaluate, undertake research to input policy and, assist with the development of relationships with external partners representing academia, private sector and non-governmental organizations.

Additional Essential Requirements

Excellent written and spoken English and Russian

Knowledge of Technology Transfer and IP Commercialization

 

Assignment 6 (YEP 6)

 

 

2022 - Section for Caucasian, Central Asian and Eastern European Countries (CACEEC), Regional and National Development Sector.

2023 - Technology and Information Support Division, IP for Innovators Department, IP and Innovation Ecosystems Sector

Assignment

Working in the Section for Caucasian, Central Asian and Eastern European Countries (CACEEC) and our Technology and Information Support Division, you will be involved in projects with a focus on technology and information support.  From undertaking pertinent research, you will contribute to the drafting of publications and to the preparation of our WIPO Flagship Publication “Technology Trends”.  Supporting the region through capacity building programs, you will facilitate the establishment of networking groups amongst patent information professionals.   You will assist cooperation with external partners representing academia, private sector and non-governmental organizations. 

Additional Essential Requirements

Excellent Russian and English written and spoken

Engineering, science (chemistry or related field), information technology, economics or data science background

Knowledge of patent information (including patent search or analysis) or data analytics

 

Assignment 7 (YEP 7)

 

 

2022 - Technology and Information Support Division, IP for Innovators Department, IP and Innovation Ecosystems Sector

2023 - Distance Learning Program, WIPO Academy, Regional and National Development Sector

Assignment

Working in the Technology and Information Support Division and WIPO Academy you will be exposed initially to WIPO patent analytics activities, developing key skills and substantive knowledge, which you will apply directly in your second year in developing course content for eLearning, and blended learning courses in IP and Patent Analytics.

Additional Essential Requirements

Graduate of a WIPO Joint Master’s program

Engineering, pure / applied sciences, information technology, economics or data science background

Knowledge of patent information (including patent search or analysis) or data analytics

 

Assignment 8 (YEP 8)

 

 

2022 – Academic Institutions and Executive Program, WIPO Academy, Regional and National Development Sector

2023 – PCT International and Cooperation Division, PCT Legal and International Affairs Division, Patents and Technology Sector

Assignment

Working in the WIPO Academy and PCT International and Cooperation Division, you will design and deliver blended learning training models, from accession to processing national phase entry applications to be used by IP offices, national IP Training Centers and the PCT International Cooperation Division.  With the WIPO Academy you will learn how to set learning outcomes, design course curricula, and establish impact assessment and certification evaluation schemes.  You will apply this acquired knowledge directly in your second year by designing a blended learning training model that will cover resources, legal and technical skills to assist IP Offices, and national IP Training Centers/Institutions contributing to capacity building programs in relation to PCT, and other WIPO services.

Additional Essential Requirements

Graduate of a WIPO Joint Master’s program

Undergraduate degree in law, IP economics, international relations, science, engineering or other closely related field.

 

Assignment 9 (YEP 9)

 

 

 

2022 - PCT International and Cooperation Division, PCT Legal and International Affairs Division, Patents and Technology Sector

2023 – Section for Central European and Baltic States and Mediterranean Countries (CEBS), Division for Transition and Developed Countries, Regional and National Development Sector

Assignment

Working in the PCT International Cooperation Division and Section for Central European and Baltic States and Mediterranean Countries you will start your assignment learning about the technical assistance activities landscape implemented to assist developing countries, least developed countries and countries with economies of transition to build their capacity in IP.  You will assess needs, design tailored training programs and establish impact assessment and evaluation schemes.  This acquired knowledge you will apply directly in your second year to projects related to PCT in the region, as well as participate in other projects covering the regional IP ecosystem.

Additional Essential Requirements

Undergraduate degree in law, IP economics, international relations, science, engineering or other closely related field.

 

Assignment 10 (YEP 10)

 

 

 

2022 – Section for Central European and Baltic States and Mediterranean Countries (CEBS), Division for Transition and Developed Countries, Regional and National Development Sector

2023 – Traditional Knowledge Division, Global Challenges and Partnerships Sector

Assignment

Working in the Section for Central European and Baltic States and Mediterranean Countries (CEBS) and, our Traditional Knowledge Division, you will start with an in-depth exposure with the IP ecosystems and technical assistance and capacity building activities in the CEBS region.  You will work on practical skills-development projects, empower local entrepreneurs to make effective use of IP in their businesses and support local communities who wish to digitize their intangible cultural heritage. 

Additional Essential Requirements

Interest and/ or experience in local and rural economic and / or cultural development and engaging with indigenous and / or local communities

Project management skills

 

Assignment 11 (YEP 11)

 

 

2022/3 – Department for Economics and Data Analytics, IP Innovation and Ecosystems Sector

Assignment

Working in the Department for Economics and Data Analytics for the two-year assignment you will conduct economic research on innovation and the creative economy contributing to the preparation of IP and innovation indicators. 

Additional Essential Requirements

Advanced university degree (i.e. Master or equivalent) in data science, economics, statistics or a related field (including an engineering degree with IP data analytics experience)

Knowledge of statistical and database management IT tools

Excellent drafting skills in English

 

3.    Requirements

To be eligible to apply candidates must be 35 years old or younger at the time of application.

Candidates must be available to participate in the two-year program 2022-2023 and explicitly confirm this in their application.

Candidates must express interest in one to three YEP assignments listed under section 2.  Candidates must meet at least the essential requirements for their selected YEP assignments in addition to at least the essential requirements listed below.

Experience (Essential)
At least 2 years of relevant experience.

Experience (Desirable)
Experience in an Intellectual Property.
Experience in project management.

Language (Essential)
Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English.

Language (Desirable)
Knowledge of any other United Nations official languages.

Job Related Competencies (Essential)
Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and working relations in a multi-cultural environment.

Excellent organizational skills.

Excellent research, analytical skills and drafting.

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

Remuneration
- Young Experts will receive a monthly stipend of 5,000 CHF.   

- WIPO provides medical and accident insurance coverage during the course of the program. 

- Contribution toward travel expenses will be provided. If necessary, WIPO may provide assistance in obtaining an entry visa to Switzerland. 
 

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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.