Head, Technology Transfer Section

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 Setting

 

Coordinating with other vertical and horizontal WIPO sectors, the IP and Innovation Ecosystems Sector (IES) is responsible for helping Member States develop their IP and innovation ecosystems to drive enterprise and economic growth. IES is also responsible for providing support for researchers and innovators, as well as enterprises, including SMEs, in IP commercialization and otherwise using IP for business growth; issues relating to the emergence of IP as an asset class; and the development of advisory expertise in these and related areas, for example, in national IP strategies.

 

Within IES, the post is located in the Technology Transfer Section (TTS), in the IP for Innovators' Department which contributes to the strategic focus to help establish frameworks, structures and capabilities to support innovators and creators in using intellectual property (IP) systems as a tool for sustainable growth and development, through enabling IP and innovation ecosystems that support innovators, creators and other IP users to maximize the value of their IP assets. The TTS is primarily responsible for promoting the successful transfer of IP and technologies from creators to users by developing a favorable legal framework, institutional IP policies, reinforcing structures, channels and capabilities of human capital in a socially responsible way.

 

2. Purpose Statement

 

The main role of the incumbent is to lead the work of the Section and collaborate closely with the WIPO senior management, and staff in other relevant Sectors of WIPO, to develop and deliver projects on the effective utilization of the IP system, the promotion of successful technology transfer, for bringing new technical solutions to the market and for the support of innovation in general.

 

3. Reporting Lines

 

The incumbent works under the supervision of the Senior Director of the IP for Innovators Department.

 

4. Work Relations

 

The incumbent collaborates closely with IP and other related organizations in the Member States, innovation stakeholders and users of IP outcomes, as well as with third party technology transfer experts.  S/he also works in close coordination with other members of IES and other Sectors and Departments of the Organization, including the Regional and National Development Sector (RNDS), Global Challenges and Partnerships Sector (GCPS), Patents and Technology Sector (PTS).

 

 

 

The incumbent will perform the following principal duties\:

 

a.   Lead the work of WIPO in the field of technology transfer while coordinating with different key stakeholders in bringing discoveries from the laboratories to businesses and entrepreneurs capable of transforming the inventions into products and services for the benefit of society.

 

b.   Initiate, design, plan and manage, in coordination and collaboration with Member States, the implementation of national projects on Technology Transfer and on the establishment of IP Institutional Policies for Universities and Research Institutions aimed at long-term impact in the area of technology transfer and successful commercialization of IP at national and regional levels, including the design of different learning resources and tools for the capacity building for innovators and creators in Member States regarding the establishment, sustainability and business success of IP rights management infrastructures.

 

c.   As a project leader, provide expert advice, innovative ways and recommendations to the Senior Director of the Department on enhancing the Organization's work in the area of technology transfer, formulate priorities, and oversee the Department's support to innovators and creators in the field of technology transfer by identifying in coordination with relevant stakeholders new opportunities for the development of commercialization and IP assets management strategies, including the drafting and negotiation of different models of agreements.

 

d.   Provide advice and guidance to Member States on the design of policies in the field of innovation and technology transfer, including required legislative assistance thereof. In order to do this, special consideration will be given to the situation of the local innovation ecosystem, the existence of innovation hubs and its connections with global innovation hubs, the level of development of the country and related IP normative framework.

 

e.   Coordinate and maintain regular contacts with Member States and other stakeholders (including academic, researches, technology managers, funders and potential licensees and early stage investors, amongst others) of the innovation ecosystems regarding the establishment, further development and expansion of institutional IP policy frameworks, human capital i.e., improving the profession of those dedicated to technology transfer, management structures, channels and capabilities for technology transfer, licensing, commercialization and IPR management of intangibles assets.

 

f.    Create and manage strategic partnerships and cooperation agreements as well as engage with Member States, regional and international organizations and institutions and relevant internal organizational units to build partnerships, strengthen linkages with key stakeholders, advance program and organizational objectives, and advocate for and ensure the implementation of programs of assistance in the field of technology transfer for developing countries, least-developed countries and countries in transition.

 

g.   Manage the Section's workplans, set performance indicators, determine priorities and assign work, ensuring the timely and quality delivery of work products in accordance with commitments and results-based management, in particular with regard to the development of specific and innovative programs of assistance in the field of technology transfer, determining overall strategic direction and priorities in this area and, formulating policy in this respect.

 

h.   Represent the Department at meetings, conferences and other events organized by WIPO, its Member States or other organizations; provide advice and lead training courses and workshops, advocate on issues relevant to enabling the different actors of the innovation system use, and manage and exploit the intellectual property system to maximize returns from their inventive, innovative and creative output.

 

i.    Perform other related duties as required.

 

 

 

Education (Essential)

Advanced university degree, preferably in law, business management, international relations, economics, engineering, science or in a related field.  A first-level university degree plus two years of experience in addition to the experience requested below may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

 

Experience (Essential)

At least ten years of relevant professional experience in technology transfer or IP management and commercialization in the research context, including in programs or project management in these areas.

 

Experience (Desirable)

Experience in policy making or legislative development in the area of tech transfer.

 

Experience in results-based management.

 

Experience working in an international setting.

 

Experience in capacity building in developing countries.

 

Language (Essential)

Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English.

 

Language (Desirable)

Good knowledge of other UN official languages, particularly French.

 

Job Related Competencies (Essential)

Excellent knowledge of intellectual property, in those relating to tech transfer e.g. patents and trade secrets.

 

Practical experience in the use of intellectual property to translate research and ideas into products or in the development of the right policies or practices to facilitate the use of IP to translate research and ideas into products.

 

Knowledge of IP asset development and management.

 

Excellent analytical skills, including the ability to break down complex issues and to craft appropriate recommendations and solutions.

 

Excellent organizational skills, including attention to detail and ability to define specific action plans based on general guidance and deliver results.

 

Excellent communications skills, both written and oral, including the ability to draft and deliver presentations to various audiences.

 

Excellent project management skills.

 

Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to maintain effective partnerships and working relations both internally and externally with sensitivity and respect for diversity.

 

Competent user of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint), Internet, and the ability to adapt quickly to new systems and tools.

 

 

 

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 April 2023 rate of 84%

 

P5
Annual salary	$90,664
Post adjustment	$76,158
Total Salary	$166,822
Currency USD

 

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.