Fellowship (IP and handicraft)

Grade: N/A

Organizational unit: Development Agenda Coordination, Division Regional and National Development Sector

Vacancy reference: 26291-FEL

Appointment type: Fellowship

Application deadline: 12-Oct-2026, 9:59:00 PM

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.

(a) Organizational Setting

Fellowships aim to provide fellows with experience to strengthen their knowledge and professional competence, which they can apply in their professional field once they have completed their fellowship with WIPO. Fellowships are awarded for specific activities, which provide the fellows training, within the approved work plan of the employing office.

The WIPO Development Agenda Coordination Division (DACD), within the Regional and National Development Sector, is in charge, inter alia, of coordinating the implementation of Development Agenda (DA) projects and the implementation of the decisions by the Committee on Development and Intellectual Property (CDIP).

The DA Project on Strengthening the Capacity of Handicraft Artisans through Intellectual Property was approved by the CDIP in 2026.  The project will be implemented by the DACD.

The objective of the project is to strengthen the capacity of handicraft artisans within beneficiary countries to strategically use intellectual property (IP) rights to protect their handicraft products.  More specifically, the project aims at:

(a)   increasing awareness and understanding among the main stakeholders, within the beneficiary countries, of the strategic role IP rights play in protecting handicraft products;  and

(b)   establishing support mechanisms within the beneficiary countries that protect handicraft artisans through the strategic use of IP.

The project duration is 24 months, and it will be implemented in Cambodia, Colombia, Namibia, South Africa, and Venezuela.

(b) Reporting Lines

The Fellow will work under the supervision of the Project Manager, Development Agenda Coordination Division, Regional and National Development Sector (RNDS).

The Fellow will contribute to the implementation of the DA Project on Strengthening the Capacity of Handicraft Artisans through Intellectual Property.  In particular, the Fellow will perform the following principal duties:

(a)       assist the Project Manager in the day-to-day coordination and implementation of the project, including maintaining the country-level project workplan, implementation schedule, deliverables tracker and follow-up actions;

(b)       liaise with national coordinators, experts and relevant WIPO organizational units, follow up on agreed actions and deliverables, and provide regular implementation updates to the Project Manager;

(c)       support the preparation, implementation and periodic updating of country-level project plans, in coordination with national coordinators and the Project Manager;

(d)       carry out research on the strategical use of IP tools to protect handicraft products in the beneficiary countries and beyond;

(e)       organize virtual and in-person events, including awareness-raising programs in the beneficiary countries, as foreseen in the project document;

(f)         collect and produce qualitative and quantitative information to enable the monitoring of the project implementation;

(g)       assist in the content development for the project’s webpage, and update it periodically to maximize the outreach potential of the project and its outputs;

(h)       assist in drafting periodic reports, participate in meetings and take meeting notes, and maintain appropriate records of decisions, actions and follow-up;

(i)         assist in the development of educational programs/toolkit for the use of local partners in beneficiary countries;  and

(j)         perform other related duties as required.

Education (Essential)

First level university degree in intellectual property, development, economics, international relations, public or business administration or another related field.

Education (Desirable)

Advanced level degree in intellectual property, development, economics, international relations, public or business administration or another related field.

Experience (Essential)

At least six months up to one year of relevant experience in an area linked to IP, event planning, or project management, preferably in the context of international organizations.

Experience (Desirable)

Experience with development assistance.

Experience in supporting documentation and use of project management and meeting tools.

Experience in working in a multicultural environment.

Languages (Essential)

Excellent (written and spoken) knowledge of English.

Languages (Desirable)

Knowledge of other official United Nations languages, or language of one beneficiary countries would be an advantage.  

Job-related competencies (Essential)

Excellent research and drafting skills.

Excellent analytical and communication skills.

Strong planning and organizational skills with the ability to work independently, quickly and accurately under pressure and to respect deadlines.

Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to maintain effective partnerships and working relations in a multi-cultural environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.

Competent user of Microsoft Office applications, Zoom, and ability to adapt quickly to new systems and software.

Sound judgment and integrity.

Job-related competencies (Desirable)

Knowledge of the subject matter dealt with by WIPO.

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.

a)    Term of fellowship:  A fellowship may be granted for a period of up to 12 months. The contract may be extended one or more times, provided that the maximum cumulative length of the fellowship does not exceed a period of three years. 

b)    Anticipated Start Date: January 1, 2027.

c)     Location:  WIPO Headquarters, Geneva, Switzerland.

d)    Stipend: CHF 5,000 CHF monthly.

e)     Travel expenses: WIPO shall contribute towards the cost of the fellow’s travel on engagement and separation from service.  If necessary, WIPO may provide assistance in obtaining an entry visa to Switzerland

f)      WIPO contributes towards the medical insurance and provides accident insurance coverage during the course of the fellowship.

g)    WIPO will request a “carte de légitimation” for the Fellow, which serves as a residence and work permit, from the Permanent Mission of Switzerland to the United Nations Office and to the other international organizations in Geneva.  Family members of the Fellow are not eligible for a “carte de legitimation”.  

h)    Tax and social security: Fellows shall be solely responsible for meeting any taxation and social security obligations that may arise directly or indirectly from their contract with WIPO.

WIPO values diversity among its personnel and is committed to equal employment opportunities. We welcome applications from qualified candidates from unrepresented Member States of WIPO, and from underrepresented geographical regions and groups, including people with disabilities. If candidates need any accommodation to participate in the recruitment process, they should contact their HR focal point when they receive an invitation.

Fellows are not staff members of WIPO, and the position does not lead to any employment rights and entitlements beyond the terms of the fellowship.

The Fellowship will take place in Geneva, Switzerland and it cannot be carried out remotely.

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.