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 Technology Transfer Section (TTS) is located in the IP for Innovators Department, within the IP and Innovation Ecosystems Sector of WIPO. The Section works with universities, public research institutions, innovation agencies, and government ministries to strengthen institutional and ecosystem capability for Knowledge and Technology Transfer (K/TT).

TTS delivers its mandate through three work areas. These include practical tools and resources, policy and legislative frameworks, and evidence to inform institutional improvement and innovation system development. 

The Tools and Resources work area develops and disseminates practical guidance, templates, training materials, digital resources, and models, as well as coordinates trainings that support institutions in translating knowledge and research outputs into social and economic value.

The incumbent leads the Tools and Resources work area. The role ensures that WIPO’s knowledge products are high quality, coherent and accessible, and that they support the operational needs of universities, public research institutions, and innovation stakeholders across diverse contexts.

b.    Purpose Statement

The purpose of the position is to lead the design, development and dissemination of practical tools and resources that strengthen institutional capability for knowledge and technology transfer including specific areas of knowledge such as life sciences. The incumbent ensures that these products reflect good practice, respond to Member States needs and are suitable for adoption by professionals, managers and decision makers engaged in research and innovation.

The incumbent also manages the Section’s capacity building activities. This includes developing training content, commissioning expert contributions, coordinating curriculum design and pedagogical approaches, delivering training to professional audiences, and evaluating the results. The role ensures that outputs from other TTS work areas are translated into actionable guidance and training that support sustained institutional improvement.

c.    Reporting Lines

The incumbent works under the supervision of the Head, Technology Transfer Section.

d.    Work Relations

The incumbent works closely with the Policy and Legislation and Evidence and Impact work areas of the Section, other internal stakeholders throughout the organization, as well as with external stakeholders engaged in research, innovation, and policy development such as ministries responsible for science, technology, education, industry, and entrepreneurship; national innovation agencies; universities and public research institutions; and technology transfer offices. The incumbent also collaborates with regional and international professional associations, and partners involved in IP, innovation, and higher education policy.

The incumbent will perform the following principal duties:

a.   Manage the Tools and Resources work area and ensure the design, development, updating and dissemination of toolkits, guides, templates, training materials, models, and digital resources that support institutional capability for knowledge and technology transfer including specific areas of knowledge such as life sciences.

b.   Manage the Section’s capacity building activities through the development of curricula, preparation of training content, commissioning of expert inputs, delivery of training, and evaluation of learning outcomes.

c.   Represent the Section in missions, workshops and training programs and provide practical guidance to institutions and Member States on knowledge and technology transfer.

d.   Establish and manage quality assurance processes for TTS tools and resources, including updating cycles, peer review, and usability testing.

e.   Translate outputs from the Policy and Legislation and Evidence and Impact work areas into practical tools, training modules, and institutional support materials.

f.    Incorporate digital, blended and e-learning approaches into capacity building activities and support the development of AI enabled learning tools that improve user access, and understanding of TTS resources.

g.   Identify, commission, and supervise external experts for specialized, or emerging topics and manage collaborative content development processes.

h.   Ensure that TTS tools and resources support a broad range of disciplinary contexts, including scientific and technical fields as well as humanities, arts, and social sciences, as relevant to IP, institutional innovation and knowledge transfer.

i.    Monitor uptake and feedback on tools and training activities, analyze user needs, and propose improvements to enhance relevance and impact.

j.    Actively promote accession to WIPO administrated treaties and contribute to the growing use of WIPO Global IP Services.

k.   Perform other related duties as required.

Education (Essential)

Advanced university degree in IP, law, economics, public policy, international relations, science, engineering, or another relevant discipline. 

A first-level university degree plus two additional years of relevant professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Education (Desirable)

A relevant professional qualification such as the Registered Technology Transfer Professional (RTTP), or the Certified Licensing Practitioner (CLP).

Experience (Essential)

At least seven years of relevant professional experience including in knowledge and technology transfer, institutional IP management, or innovation support.

Experience developing or managing tools, guides, templates, or capacity building resources for professional or institutional use.

Experience designing and delivering professional training programs for adult learners including curriculum design and pedagogical planning.

Experience (Desirable)

Experience in an international, multinational, or multicultural environment.

Exposure to knowledge and technology transfer issues in scientific, technical, or social science disciplines.

Experience with AI-enabled learning tools or educational technologies.

Professional experience in a technology transfer office or equivalent function in a research focused institution.

Experience commissioning or coordinating the work of consultants or expert contributors.

Language (Essential)

Excellent knowledge of English.

Language (Desirable)

Good working knowledge of another official UN language, preferably Spanish.

Job Related Competencies (Essential)

In-depth understanding of IP systems and their role in enabling knowledge and technology transfer.

Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to oversee multiple workstreams and deliver results within deadlines.

Strong pedagogical skills and proven ability to design and deliver effective training for professional audiences.

Excellent drafting skills and ability to prepare clear, concise, and practical materials for institutional audiences.

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills and ability to translate complex concepts into accessible guidance.

Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and ability to work in a multicultural environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.

Digital literacy and familiarity with e-learning systems and modern learning technologies. Ability to identify and implement IT tools that enhance the quality of services with focus on leveraging AI capabilities. 

Knowledge of WIPO's Global IP services, particularly the PCT, Madrid, and Hague systems.

Job Related Competencies (Desirable)

Understanding of institutional IP policy implementation and administrative processes in universities and public research organizations.

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.

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 December 2025 rate of 91.1%.

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

Additional Information

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.

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.