Senior Program Officer TA
Technology Transfer Section, IP for Innovators Department (IPID), IP and Innovation Ecosystems Sector
Contract Duration - 1 year
Duty Station: CH-Geneva
Application Deadline: 23-Jan-2026, 11:59:00 PM CET
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 Context
a.
Organizational Setting
The Technology Transfer Section (TTS) is located in the IP for Innovators Department, within the IP and Innovation Ecosystems Sector of WIPO. The Section works with universities, public research institutions, innovation agencies, and government ministries to strengthen institutional and ecosystem capability for Knowledge and Technology Transfer (K/TT).
TTS delivers its mandate through three work areas. These include practical tools and resources, policy and legislative frameworks, and evidence to inform institutional improvement and innovation system development.
The Tools and Resources work area develops and disseminates practical guidance, templates, training materials, digital resources, and models, as well as coordinates trainings that support institutions in translating knowledge and research outputs into social and economic value.
The incumbent leads the Tools and Resources work area. The role ensures that WIPO's knowledge products are high quality, coherent and accessible, and that they support the operational needs of universities, public research institutions, and innovation stakeholders across diverse contexts.
b.
Purpose Statement
The purpose of the position is to lead the design, development and dissemination of practical tools and resources that strengthen institutional capability for knowledge and technology transfer including specific areas of knowledge such as life sciences. The incumbent ensures that these products reflect good practice, respond to Member States needs and are suitable for adoption by professionals, managers and decision makers engaged in research and innovation.
The incumbent also manages the Section's capacity building activities. This includes developing training content, commissioning expert contributions, coordinating curriculum design and pedagogical approaches, delivering training to professional audiences, and evaluating the results. The role ensures that outputs from other TTS work areas are translated into actionable guidance and training that support sustained institutional improvement.
c.
Reporting Lines
The incumbent works under the supervision of the Head, Technology Transfer Section.
d.
Work Relations
The incumbent works closely with the Policy and Legislation and Evidence and Impact work areas of the Section, other internal stakeholders throughout the organization, as well as with external stakeholders engaged in research, innovation, and policy development such as ministries responsible for science, technology, education, industry, and entrepreneurship; national innovation agencies; universities and public research institutions; and technology transfer offices. The incumbent also collaborates with regional and international professional associations, and partners involved in IP, innovation, and higher education policy.
2. Duties and Responsibilities
The incumbent will perform the following principal duties:
a.
Manage the Tools and Resources work area and ensure the design, development, updating and dissemination of toolkits, guides, templates, training materials, models, and digital resources that support institutional capability for knowledge and technology transfer including specific areas of knowledge such as life sciences.
b.
Manage the Section's capacity building activities through the development of curricula, preparation of training content, commissioning of expert inputs, delivery of training, and evaluation of learning outcomes.
c.
Represent the Section in missions, workshops and training programs and provide practical guidance to institutions and Member States on knowledge and technology transfer.
d.
Establish and manage quality assurance processes for TTS tools and resources, including updating cycles, peer review, and usability testing.
e.
Translate outputs from the Policy and Legislation and Evidence and Impact work areas into practical tools, training modules, and institutional support materials.
f.
Incorporate digital, blended and e-learning approaches into capacity building activities and support the development of AI enabled learning tools that improve user access, and understanding of TTS resources.
g.
Identify, commission, and supervise external experts for specialized, or emerging topics and manage collaborative content development processes.
h.
Ensure that TTS tools and resources support a broad range of disciplinary contexts, including scientific and technical fields as well as humanities, arts, and social sciences, as relevant to IP, institutional innovation and knowledge transfer.
i.
Monitor uptake and feedback on tools and training activities, analyze user needs, and propose improvements to enhance relevance and impact.
j.
Actively promote accession to WIPO administrated treaties and contribute to the growing use of WIPO Global IP Services.
k.
Perform other related duties as required.
3. Requirements
Education (Essential)
Advanced university degree in IP, law, economics, public policy, international relations, science, engineering, or another relevant discipline.
A first-level university degree plus two additional years of relevant professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.
Education (Desirable)
A relevant professional qualification such as the Registered Technology Transfer Professional (RTTP), or the Certified Licensing Practitioner (CLP).
Experience (Essential)
At least seven years of relevant professional experience including in knowledge and technology transfer, institutional IP management, or innovation support.
Experience developing or managing tools, guides, templates, or capacity building resources for professional or institutional use.
Experience designing and delivering professional training programs for adult learners including curriculum design and pedagogical planning.
Experience (Desirable)
Experience in an international, multinational, or multicultural environment.
Exposure to knowledge and technology transfer issues in scientific, technical, or social science disciplines.
Experience with AI-enabled learning tools or educational technologies.
Professional experience in a technology transfer office or equivalent function in a research focused institution.
Experience commissioning or coordinating the work of consultants or expert contributors.
Language (Essential)
Excellent knowledge of English.
Language (Desirable)
Good working knowledge of another official UN language, preferably Spanish.
Job Related Competencies (Essential)
In-depth understanding of IP systems and their role in enabling knowledge and technology transfer.
Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to oversee multiple workstreams and deliver results within deadlines.
Strong pedagogical skills and proven ability to design and deliver effective training for professional audiences.
Excellent drafting skills and ability to prepare clear, concise, and practical materials for institutional audiences.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills and ability to translate complex concepts into accessible guidance.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and ability to work in a multicultural environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
Digital literacy and familiarity with e-learning systems and modern learning technologies. Ability to identify and implement IT tools that enhance the quality of services with focus on leveraging AI capabilities.
Knowledge of WIPO's Global IP services, particularly the PCT, Madrid, and Hague systems.
Job Related Competencies (Desirable)
Understanding of institutional IP policy implementation and administrative processes in universities and public research organizations.
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.
For more information, including on the salaries and benefits, please check the WIPO Careers website.