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 oversees the Network and Communications Unit under Infrastructure Service Section, IT Technical Division, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Department, Administration, Finance and Management Sector.

The Unit is responsible for providing state-of-the-art, secure, efficient, reliable, and cost-effective network and communication infrastructure and services to meet the Organization’s requirements.

The main technical  domains falling under the Unit responsibility are Data Center network; WIPO Campus wired and wireless networks; Internal and external telecommunication services, including but not limited to landline telephony; External Offices network infrastructures; Traditional and Modern network-based security respectively through Firewall and Zero Trust infrastructures and Remote access infrastructure, for which the candidate will be in charge of the development, deployment, and operations.

b.    Purpose Statement

Our organization is undergoing a transformative digital journey as we strategically adapt to the changing landscape of technology and security. This critical role will be instrumental in managing our networking communications and implementing a zero-trust framework within our hybrid IT environment. In this role, the incumbent will contribute directly to our organization’s continued success by safeguarding our valuable assets, protecting sensitive information, and enabling seamless digital transformation.

c.    Reporting Lines

The incumbent reports to the Head of the Infrastructure Service Section.

d.    Work Relations

The incumbent maintains regular communication and consultations with all the other Units, Sections and Divisions in ICTD, and the IT points of contact for External Offices. The incumbent also ensures that the long-term roadmap, design, deployment and operations of the infrastructure and services under the Unit’s remit are in complete and continuous synergy with Information Security’s guidelines and strategy.

The incumbent will perform the following principal duties:

a.  Defines the medium and long-term strategic approach to network connectivity, communication technologies and secure access services to support WIPO’s digital transformation and strategic objectives, in line with industry best practices and in strict collaboration with Information Security.

b.  Leads and manages the work of the Unit to achieve the work plan objectives in a good teamwork cooperation amongst colleagues both within and outside the Unit. Develops and implements management reporting procedures for the effective delivery of the Unit work plan in line with the Organization’s business needs and objectives.

c.  Manages Unit staff including consultants and other external resources (off-shore and near-shore), supervises their work; provides regular feedback on performance; conducts performance evaluation meetings and ensures timely finalization of performance evaluation exercises; cultivates good cooperation and teamwork amongst colleagues within and outside the Unit.

d.  Assumes technical leadership for the enhancement of the systems and services under the Unit’s responsibility with the aim of enhancing the performance, functionality, security and availability of these systems.

e.  Ensures optimal service orientation and effective functioning of the Unit operations responsibilities, based on international best practices such as ITIL, establishing service improvement activities when required.

f.   Collaborate with cross-functional teams, such as IT operations, Information Security, and application development, to align network functional and security requirements with organizational goals and initiatives.

g.  Manages and ensure the success of IT projects falling within Unit’s area responsibility based on international best practices such as Prince2.

h.  Manages and coordinates the procurement activities within the Unit, prepares Terms of Reference and RFP Evaluation and leads the RFP technical evaluation. Oversees the implementation of existing contracts with external suppliers and manages their performance.

i.   Organizes the testing, assessment and evaluation of new products and technologies falling within the domain of the Network and Communications services Unit and advises on their inclusion in future strategic initiatives.

j.   Manages and coordinates IT security policies implementation on all infrastructures falling under the Unit responsibility. Plans regular Security checks in collaboration with Security and Information Assurance team and establishes security improvement activities when required.

k.  Initiates periodic reviews of the ICT Service Continuity capabilities of all critical services under the Unit’s responsibility and implement improvements where necessary in accordance with the Organization’s defined business continuity requirements.

Education (Essential)

Advanced university degree in Computer Science, Telecommunications, Engineering or related discipline. A first-level university degree plus two years of relevant professional experience in addition to the experience requested below may be acceptable in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Certifications in the domain of TCP/IP networking, preferably on CISCO product suite.

Education (Desirable)

ITIL certification is highly desirable.

Certifications in the domain of Wi-Fi infrastructures design, implementation and management.

Certifications in the domain of networking and IP Telephony.

Certifications in the domain of Secure Access Service Edge.

Experience (Essential)

At least seven years of professional work experience in operating procedures related to large scale, enterprise-level ICT operations.

Extensive experience in the design, deployment, and operations of enterprise networks (preferably on CISCO equipment) and IP telephony systems.

Proven experience in designing and troubleshooting complex network systems.

Experience in the design, deployment, and operations of enterprise-level Wi-Fi systems.

Experience in the design, deployment, and operations of enterprise-level remote access solutions.

Experience (Desirable)

Experience in audio and video systems, including conference services.

Experience in advocacy of Green IT activities.

Experience in project management, using a recognized project management methodology, such as PRINCE 2, PMP etc.

Language (Essential)

Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English and working knowledge of French.

Language (Desirable)

Knowledge of other official UN languages.

Job Related Competencies (Essential)

Excellent technical knowledge of network administration, router management, and IP telephony.

Sound knowledge of and experience with ICT Service Delivery and Service Support processes within the ITIL framework.

Excellent analytical skills and the ability to understand and document complex ICT infrastructure, as well as related operating and risk management procedures.

Proven ability to coordinate and collaborate with technical teams; managing in a cross-cultural environment.

Service orientation and attention to quality.

Ability to clearly explain complex issues and communicate with technical actors and business area representatives.

Ability to work under pressure and successfully prioritize tasks to manage multiple commitments and deadlines.

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence others without always relying on the line-of-command.

Job Related Competencies (Desirable)

Working knowledge of PRINCE 2 management methodology is highly desirable.

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 October 2023 rate of 83.3%

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 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.

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.