Team Head (two posts)

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 post is located in the PCT Operations Teams 10 & 11, PCT Operations Services 1 & 2, PCT Operations Division, PCT Services Department, Patents and Technology Sector. The PCT Operations Division is responsible for the receipt, formalities, examination, publication and communication of applications and related documents filed under the PCT and for delivering high-quality customer services to PCT users in all 10 official PCT publication languages.

b. Purpose Statement

The incumbent as Team Head of a PCT Operations Team is required to organize and manage the team's activities relating to the administration and smooth functioning of the PCT Operations, ensuring high standards of quality, quantity and timeliness for the service delivery of international patent applications.

c. Reporting Lines

The incumbent works under the supervision of the Head of the respective PCT Operations Service.

d. Work Relations

The incumbent reports to the Head of the Service and works closely with all Team Heads and Coordinators, as well as with staff of other Divisions within the Sector.

2. Duties and Responsibilities

The incumbent will perform the following principal duties:

a. Lead, plan and control the team's work, determining priorities and allocating resources for the completion and timely and quality delivery of work products in accordance with results-based management principles as well as key performance indicators.

b. Lead the client advising activities of Principle Client Advisor, Client Advisors and Assistant Client Advisors, and develop and manage the communication activities with the clients.

c. Organize and perform training activities for the target clients and align teamwork with the clients' needs and set up a client focused work atmosphere.

d. Assist and advise the team members on the handling of complex and contentious issues. Develop and coordinate training plans for staff.

e. Manage the staff of the team, including in the areas of conflict prevention and absence management. Supervise all team members and evaluate the work of Principle Client Advisor, Client Advisors & Examiners, and Assistant Client Advisors & Assistant Examiners.

f. Cooperate closely with the Service Heads of the PCT Operations Division to foster contacts and enhance collaboration with PCT Users and authorities on operational matters.

g. Liaise and coordinate with work units in the Sector in the execution of the tasks. Provide routine reports and periodic summaries to the Service Heads on the performance of the team and individual level.

h. Promote and facilitate a harmonious and motivated working environment in which all team members can perform their professional responsibilities in an efficient and effective manner.

i. Participate in and/or provide training at seminars and information meetings. Participate in missions when required.

j. Perform other related duties as required.

3. Requirements

Education (Essential)

Advanced university degree. A first-level university degree plus two years of relevant professional experience in addition to the years of experience mentioned below may be acceptable in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Experience (Essential)

At least seven years of relevant experience, three of which in an IP office or comparable working environment.

Experience in supervising a large team.

Experience in formalities examination of patent applications.

Experience in providing customer service and training.

Experience (Desirable)

Experience with customer experience management.

Language (Essential)

Excellent written and spoken knowledge of English and at least one of the following PCT publication languages: Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian or Spanish, in accordance with business needs.

Language (Desirable)

Knowledge of other PCT publication languages.

Job Related Competencies (Essential)

Excellent communication skills, both oral and written.

Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.

Excellent time management and work organization skills and ability to deal with conflicting priorities.

Ability to lead and motivate a team. Ability to manage conflict.

Ability to develop professional relations with service users outside the Office and staff at all levels.

Excellent customer service.

Good IT skills for data management and data search.

Integrity in dealing with confidential and sensitive data.

Highly adaptable to changing environments, tasks and demands.

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

Job Related Competencies (Desirable)

Knowledge of the business and administrative procedures of a national or regional IP institution.

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. Information

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 September 2024 rate of 96.7%

P4

Annual salary

$77,326

Post adjustment

$74,774

Total Salary

$152,100

Currency USD

Salaries and allowances are paid in Swiss francs at the official rate of exchange of the United Nations.

Please refer to WIPO’s Staff Regulation and Rules for detailed information concerning salaries, benefits and allowances.

Additional Information

* Initial period of two years, renewable, subject to satisfactory performance. No fixed-term appointment or any extension hereof shall carry with it any expectancy of, nor imply any right to, (further) extensions or conversion to a permanent appointment.

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: 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.