Title of Assignment: Project Specialist – Support for IPTIs Program’s projects in Africa

Name of unit/sector:  WIPO Academy IPTIs Program

Place of Assignment: Remote working (full-time)

Expected duration of assignment: January 15 to July 15, 2024

1. Objective of the assignment

The WIPO Academy Intellectual Property Training Institutions (hereinafter, IPTIs) Program aims at creating and consolidating national/regional self-sustaining training infrastructure and capacities to build IP knowledge and skills on the ground. The current support provided by the IPTI Program benefits a total of 55 countries, including projects for:

• Establishment of new IPTIs (six new projects starting in 2024), through:
(i) training their future trainers;
(ii) setting up a Business Plan;
(iii) supporting the curricula development of future courses to be offered;
(iv) establishing an IPTI Library;
(v) support in the organization of pilot training activities; and,
(vi) building the IPTIs’ digital presence.
• Follow-up cooperation with 18 established IPTIs to address their current capacity-building needs;
• Launching of collective services, resources and initiatives, for the benefit of all IPTIs.
• Capacity-building projects aimed at leveraging IP to support creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship, including within WIPO’s Build-Back Package.

In this context, the WIPO Academy needs assistance to support the implementation and monitoring of national and regional projects in Africa.

2. Tasks / services 

The Contractor will, by July 15, 2024:

(a) Support the coordination, monitoring and evaluation of ongoing projects, including undertaking research, making proposals, preparing related documentation and compiling information, particularly for African countries;
(b) Assist in the preparatory work, planning and organization of training of trainers’ modules and other training activities;
(c) Contribute to the preparation of action plans for the execution of follow-up cooperation projects and activities requested by existing IPTIs for 2023.
(d) Assist in the execution of the abovementioned projects and activities, focused on skill-based training which target key domestic economic sectors;
(e) Coordinate the responses to new requests for cooperation and support the related needs assessment processes;
(f) Assist in the update of content for the IPTIs’ Moodle Spaces;
(g) Contribute to the update of the IPTI virtual network public content and member-login space;
(h) Support effective business decisions by the IPTIs Program.
(i) Perform other related duties as required.

3. Reporting 

The Contractor will be under the supervision of the Counsellor and the Associate Program Officer of the WIPO Academy IPTIs Program.

4. Profile

The contractor should be a motivated professional based in Africa, with the following experience, skills, and competencies.

Education

• A university degree in international relations, law, political science, business administration or another related field.
• An advanced degree in intellectual property is desirable.
• Certification in project management is desirable.

Experience

• Minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience in intellectual property and/or capacity-building projects in Africa.
• Experience in project management and particularly in project design is desirable.

Languages

• Excellent written and spoken knowledge of English.
• Other languages UN Languages are an asset.

Job-related competencies

• Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to communicate effectively, build lasting relationships and working as a team.
• Strong organizational and time management skills with the ability to work quickly and accurately with a high degree of independence and initiative.
• Sound political judgment and good diplomatic skills.

5. Duration of contract and payment

The contract will start on January 15, 2024, to July 15, 2024. Applicants are requested to provide an indication of their remuneration expectations in Swiss francs (daily rate). The contract might be renewed upon satisfactory performance and availability of funds, up to a maximum of 24 months.