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

The post is located in the Travel and Mission Support Section (TMS), Central Services Division (CSD), Administration, Finance and Management Sector (AFMS).

The Section is responsible for the validation and certification of meeting expenses and travel arrangements of WIPO staff for their official travel and for the travel of third-party travelers (holders of Individual Contractor Service contracts (ICS), speakers, and financed delegates attending various meetings held in Geneva and abroad). The Section ensures that all arrangements comply with the Financial Regulations and Rules (FRR) and the Staff Regulations and Rules (SRR) of the Organization, and the travel policy for staff and third-party travelers. The Section is also responsible for the visa processing of staff and financed third party travelers, as well as the diplomatic privileges support (VAT exemption for staff goods and duty-free shop access for delegates).

b.    Purpose Statement

The incumbent is responsible for providing visa support services for staff and non-staff travelers. The incumbent also processes official requests for issuance of UN travel documents, such as UNLP applications and supporting letters. The role ensures compliance with UN procedures and host-country requirements, liaises with consulates and permanent missions, and provides guidance to travelers. The incumbent may perform limited certification functions as designated by the Controller, but the primary focus is visa support and administrative travel documentation processing.

c.    Reporting Lines

The incumbent reports to Head of Travel and Mission Support Section (TMS).

d.    Work Relations

The incumbent will liaise extensively with relevant internal business and technical stakeholders at all levels of the Organization. They will also work closely with external stakeholders, such as UN working groups, account managers, and onsite or remote consultants, to ensure effective coordination and delivery of visa and travel support services.

The incumbent will perform the following principal duties:

a.   Provide comprehensive visa support services for WIPO staff and third-party travelers, including preparing and processing visa applications, issuing support letters and attestations, and sharing up-to-date consular information.

b.   Draft and send routine correspondence - such as visa support letters - to Swiss/EU consular services and travelers, ensuring all communications meet established standards and requirements.

c.   Liaise with external stakeholders, serving as the primary contact with the Swiss Mission for specific cases, clarifying procedures, confirming requirements, and collaborating with the contracted visa provider (CIBT) to facilitate staff visa arrangements and certify note verbales as required.

d.   Manage requests for UN travel documents, including new UNLPs for staff and UN Certificates for non-staff, verifying documentation and ensuring compliance with UN travel document regulations.

e.   Maintain and update internal databases (e.g., LP Manager and related systems), ensuring data accuracy, integrity, and proper safekeeping and cancellation of travel documents in accordance with organizational procedures.

f.    Advise senior staff on diplomatic privileges, including tax-free procedures, and coordinate with customs offices to ensure all applicable protocols are followed.

g.   Regularly update the intranet page with relevant travel and visa information, proactively proposing improvements to enhance user experience and information accessibility.

h.   Monitor and maintain organized administrative records, tracking the status of pending tasks to ensure timely completion.

i.    Assist the Head of Section with research, documentation, and administrative matters related to travel and visa issues, including the preparation of reports.

j.    Provide general administrative support to the Travel and Mission Support team, including managing the generic inbox and processing filing requests.

k. Perform any other duties as required.

Education (Essential)

Completed secondary education or equivalent educational background.

Education (Desirable)

Certification on consular compliance rules or visa procedures.

Experience (Essential)

At least 5 years of experience in processing visas requests, UN official travel documents and diplomatic privileges, including substantial administrative and office support responsibilities.

Demonstrated experience working within an international organization or with a private sector visa services provider.

Proven track record of providing administrative support in a multicultural and diverse environment.

Experience (Desirable)

Experience liaising with external stakeholders, such as Swiss Mission, embassies or consular offices.

Language (Essential)

Excellent knowledge of written and spoken French and English languages is required.

Language (Desirable)

Good knowledge of Spanish or other official UN or WIPO languages.

Job Related Competencies (Essential)

Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with ability to build and maintain effective partnerships and working relations in a multicultural environment, demonstrating sensibility and respect for diversity.

Strong organizational and time management skills, with the capacity to prioritize multiple tasks and meet tight deadlines under pressure.

High level of client orientation, demonstrating proactive problem-solving abilities and commitment to delivering quality service. 

Effective team player, able to collaborate constructively and contribute to a positive team environment. 

Demonstrates flexibility, adaptability, and initiative in responding to changing priorities and organizational needs.

Job Related Competencies (Desirable)

Familiarity with updating intranet or knowledge-sharing platforms for visa providers, including proposing enhancements and improvements.

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.

Monthly salary (Net of tax):  6,634 CHF

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

Additional Information

General Service posts are subject to local recruitment.  Staff in the General Service category are recruited in the host country or within reasonable commuting distance of the Headquarters.

Temporary appointments are renewable, subject to continuing needs, availability of budget and satisfactory performance with a maximum cumulative length of two years.

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.

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.

Additional background checks may be required.