IP and Women Fellowship

Grade: N/A

Organizational unit: Office of the Deputy Director General, Patents and Technology Sector

Vacancy reference: 26331-FEL

Appointment type: Fellowship

Application deadline: 23-Nov-2026, 10:59:00 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.

1. Organizational context

(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 workplan of the employing office.

This fellowship is located in the Patents and Technology Sector, Office of the Deputy Director General (DDG), with responsibility for supporting the Senior Advisor, IP and Gender. The Fellow will contribute to WIPO’s objectives of strengthening IP ecosystems through evidence-informed policies and enabling more innovators and creators to leverage IP successfully.  To this end, the Fellow will support implementation of WIPO’s strategy on IP in support of women and girls, the IP and Gender Action Plan (IPGAP), and related initiatives and activities.  The Fellow will work as part of a highly collaborative team and engage horizontally with colleagues across all WIPO sectors to connect expertise and support joint initiatives.

(b)  Reporting Lines

The Fellow shall work under the supervision of the Senior Advisor, IP and Gender, Office of the Deputy Director General, Patents and Technology Sector. 

2. Duties and responsibilities

The Fellow will perform the following principal duties:

(i)             Contribute in advancing the mission and initiatives of the IP and Women program, with focus on the ongoing implementation of the IPGAP and subsequent action plans;

(ii)            Coordinate the implementation of initiatives under the IPGAP;

(iii)           Contribute to the planning and delivery of the Women and IP Symposium for IP and Innovation Offices, the IPGAP Global Research Experts Meeting, World IP Day activities, and other program-related events;

(iv)           Investigate, analyze, and develop reports relating to IP and women policy issues;

(v)            Draft briefing documents, speeches, talking points, and news items as required, compiling and clearly presenting data and research;

(vi)           Represent the IP and Women program during meetings as needed and provide clear reporting and follow-up recommendations;

(vii)          Help organize and contribute to virtual as well as in-person educational and capacity-development events;

(viii)        Co-create communications assets for the IP and Women program, such as social media, articles, and other outreach and materials, working horizontally across sectors with relevant teams throughout WIPO, and externally as needed;

(ix)           Collaborate with team members and colleagues across all WIPO sectors to exchange IP expertise, coordinate contributions, and support the delivery of joint initiatives;

(x)            Perform any other related duties.

3. Requirements

 Education:

 Essential: A first-level university degree in law (a Juris Doctor (JD) degree is also considered a first-level university degree in law).

 Desirable: Advanced university degree in science, business management/economics, technology, social  sciences, or international relations.

Experience:

Essential: At least two (2) years of professional experience in IP or in a role with a link to or emphasis in IP.

Desirable:

Experience working in an international environment. 

Experience or demonstrated interest relating to women’s participation in innovation and use of the IP system.

 Languages:

 Essential: Excellent (written and spoken) knowledge of English.

 Desirable: Knowledge of another UN official languages.

 Specific skills and competencies:

      Essential:

      Excellent research and writing skills.

      Excellent independent organizational and planning skills as well as ability to collaborate and organize across teams

      in a cross-sectoral role.

      Excellent project coordination skills.

      Excellent analytical and communication skills.

      Knowledge of innovation, intellectual property systems, and/or business and entrepreneurship.

      Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to maintain effective partnerships and working relations in a multi-cultural 

      environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.

      Sound judgement and integrity.

      Proficiency in digital tools, AI-enabled applications, and online collaboration platforms. 

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.

5. Terms and conditions

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: February 1, 2027.

c)     Location: WIPO Headquarters, Geneva, Switzerland.

d)    Stipend: 6,000 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. 

Additional information
 

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.