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.

This post is a limited-term fixed-term post.

a.    Organizational Setting

The post is located in the PCT Business Demand Management Section, PCT Business Development Division, PCT Services Department, Patents and Technology Sector which is tasked with developing proposals for further improving the PCT system, including improvements to the PCT legal framework, PCT procedures and processes, and related standards and specifications of IT systems.

b.    Purpose Statement

The main role of the incumbent is to analyze needs and develop business requirements for software and data structures to improve the data processed and delivered by the PCT System. The incumbent must prepare proposals that effectively support the needs of interested parties (applicants, national Offices, the International Bureau and third parties) and ensure that the resulting software and standards are implemented correctly, as well as permit the International Bureau to deliver a continually improving customer experience in the context of initiatives such as customer relations management and Global Assignment. Requirements must take into account the interests and technical capabilities of the different interested parties with varying technical capabilities and investment in legacy systems.

c.     Reporting Lines

The incumbent works under the supervision of the Head, PCT Business Demand Management Section, PCT Business Development Division.

The incumbent will perform the following principal duties:

a.   Carry out strategic analyses of PCT IT requirements, taking into account opportunities for business improvement through the review of overall processes and end-to-end collection, processing and delivery of structured data, as well as the context of WIPO IT systems and related processes, and make informed recommendations for improvements.

b.   Identify requirements for data structures to support improved PCT processing, customer experience and business information, taking into account several factors: investment in existing standards by the International Bureau and national Offices and their capabilities and appetite for change; translation and other language issues; other standards under development or use by interested parties; the potential for improvements to processing efficiency, data scope and quality; and the desire to seek consistency and greater sharing of information and IT systems across WIPO services.

c.   Evaluate and optimize operational procedures to align with evolving business needs. Propose enhancements aimed at improving customer satisfaction while maintaining high standards of quality of work and efficiency within PCT Operations and in relation to external stakeholders.

d.   Liaise with concerned work areas both within and outside of PCT (PCT Operations Division, Business Applications Division within the ICTD, Technical Cooperation Section, PCT Legal and User Relations Division, PCT Translation Division, Customer Experience Section, Standards Section, Finance Division, Madrid Registry and The Hague Registry, national Offices and PCT user representative groups) to assess evolving needs and evaluate the implications of implementing proposals for redesigning operational processes and enhancing the functionality of external and internal PCT IT systems.

e.   In cooperation with the Business Applications Division within the ICTD, work with developers on prototyping, user testing and implementation of changes to PCT IT systems, particularly those involving the creation, use or manipulation of standardized data; ensure that the IT tools are built according to the specified requirements.

f.    Support the PCT International Cooperation Division in collaborating closely with the Offices of PCT Member States and developing strategies for wider use of ePCT and related WIPO IT services and standards to enhance the quality and consistency of data exchanged with national Offices.

g.   Participate in official missions; provide training and webinars on the ePCT system to Offices of PCT Member States, applicants and agents. Provide training to PCT staff and external providers also engaged in such activities.

h.   Contribute to fostering a culture of providing high-quality customer-focused services by identifying varying customer needs, recommending best practices to improve customer interactions, and proactively addressing potential issues before they impact the customer experience.

i. Engage in data analytics initiatives by contributing to define key performance indicators and systematically monitoring accession, engagement, user feedback, service metrics, and procedural data. Utilize insights to evaluate the effectiveness of activities, guide strategic decision-making, enhance service delivery and promotional efforts, identify emerging trends, and recommend improvements and best practices.

j.    Perform other related duties as required.

Education (Essential)

First-level university degree.

Education (Desirable)

Certification in project management (preferably Prince 2).

Certification in software testing.

Experience (Essential)

At least six years' professional experience including experience in business analysis, prototype designing, data modeling, user requirements specification or user acceptance testing and deployment, of which at least two years within the domain of intellectual property application or registration systems and processes.

Experience (Desirable)

Experience in designing, implementing or using WIPO Standards or PCT data.

Language (Essential)

Excellent written and spoken knowledge of English.

Language (Desirable)

Knowledge of other PCT publication languages.

Job Related Competencies (Essential)

Excellent understanding of the business use of XML and JSON, and their interactions with APIs and databases.

Good understanding of computer systems and data structure design, testing and deployment within a large organization.

Ability to understand PCT, Regulations, Administrative Instructions and related business processes. 

Ability to understand the use of intellectual property information by national Offices, both for bibliographic information and the processing of application bodies, particularly for the purposes of international search and preliminary examination, national phase entry, national examination and national publication.

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Ability to clearly explain to audiences with different levels of technical understanding of business issues and options for encoding business data in practically usable formats.

Ability to work in a team with both users and technical staff at different levels and in a multicultural environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.

Excellent analytical, including data analytics skills, and problem-solving skills.

Competent user of Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Teams) and the internet and the ability to adapt quickly to new software.

Ability to work both independently and in a team, identifying and following up issues with a high degree of autonomy where appropriate, but ensuring full participation by all potentially interested parties to deliver effective results.

Integrity in dealing with confidential and sensitive data.

Excellent time management and work organization skills.

Excellent client orientation.

Highly adaptable to new environments, tasks and demands.

Job Related Competencies (Desirable)

Knowledge of software development and system development methodologies.

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.

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 November 2025 rate of 90%

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

Additional Information

* Initial fixed-term appointment of two years, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and other applicable conditions.  The selected candidate’s appointment will be subject to an overall term of five years in this position, with normally no possibility of renewal beyond that term.  S/he may, however, apply and be considered for other positions at WIPO.

This is not applicable to WIPO staff members on fixed-term, continuing or permanent appointments, who were recruited following a competition under Staff Regulation 4.10 (“Appointment Boards”).

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 your identification and the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WIPO recognizes higher educational qualifications obtained from institutions accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list maintained by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed here: http://www.whed.net/. Some higher educational qualifications may not be listed in WHED, and will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

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.