Title of Assignment: Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) External Consultant 

Name of unit/sector: PCT Legal and User Relations Division, Patents and Technology Sector 

Place of Assignment: United States of America (Home-based)

Expected places of travel (if applicable): The incumbent is expected to travel to various locations across the United States of America. All travel-related costs will be covered per WIPO’s travel policy. 

Expected duration of assignment: July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027 (renewable, subject to performance and organizational needs)

1. Objective of the assignment

WIPO seeks to significantly expand the use of the PCT system compared to the Paris Convention in the United States of America. To achieve this, WIPO will engage an external contractor for a time-bound consultancy assignment to actively promote and drive the adoption of the PCT system within the user community.

2. Deliverables/services

(a)    Provide a detailed workplan of activities in the United States of America for WIPO’s approval at the beginning of the contract and regularly revised throughout the year, in accordance with the objectives described in paragraph 1 and within the budgetary limitations of the contract, which should include:

• a list of an agreed-upon number of current PCT users [1]  to be contacted through in-person visits or other appropriate means to support their current and future PCT filing activities (at least 10 per year), with subsequent follow-up as appropriate;
• a list of an agreed upon number of PCT non- or under-users [2]   to be contacted through in-person visits or other appropriate means to support their current and future PCT filing activities (at least 10 per year), with subsequent follow-up as appropriate;
• organization of an agreed-upon number of PCT webinars on specified topics; 
• participation in training and outreach events organized by WIPO or third parties in the United States of America (e.g. seminars, forums, conferences, roundtables) which provide the opportunity to promote the use of the PCT system;
• identification of success stories about the use of the PCT system by local businesses, to be submitted to WIPO for its use (at least 2 per year);
• facilitation of surveys to measure user satisfaction with presentations at seminars, conferences and similar events delivered [3]  (striving for a satisfaction rating (excellent or good) of at least 90%); and
• any additional activities WIPO determines to be consistent with the objectives described in paragraph 1.

(b)    Upon request from WIPO, the Contractor shall engage in activities, as outlined in the workplan and within the limits of the allocated budget, with the goal to promoting greater understanding and usage of the PCT System.

(c)    The daily rate agreed upon with the Contractor should cover all necessary preparation time before the planned activity, as well as the time of attendance needed for the activity (e.g. delivery of course material, user visits, etc.). WIPO will provide the contractor with the most current training and promotional materials.

(d)    In executing the workplan, the Contractor is expected to prepare a monthly report [4]  on all activities undertaken. This report should include details about:

• all activities, travel and mission expenditure incurred;
• feedback received on the present and future filing strategies of existing and potential PCT users engaged; 
• feedback received from PCT users about the benefits of using the PCT system, as well as any suggestions for improvement of WIPO’s PCT services;
• information regarding any increased interest in or use of the PCT system as a result of the activity performed;
• any information the contractor determines to be consistent with the objectives of this assignment.

3. Reporting and Intellectual Property Rights

• The Contractor shall report to the Director of the PCT Legal and User Relations Division.
• All intellectual property and other proprietary rights, including copyrights, with regard to documents or other materials which the Contractor has developed under the contract are the sole property of WIPO. WIPO agrees to assign, and hereby does assign, to the Contractor all rights to any intellectual property that may arise during the term of this Contract over customized material on the PCT system developed by the Contractor under this Contract (the “Customized Material”). WIPO agrees not to assert any such rights against the Contractor or any third party, provided that WIPO can make use of the Customized Material and disseminate it without limitation and free of charge.

4. Profile (e.g. area of specialization/expertise, specific knowledge/skills/experience)

• Proven professional experience of at least 10 years in intellectual property, patent services, or related commercial fields in the United States of America.
• Strong communication and presentation skills, with the ability to engage diverse audiences including business leaders, potential users, and stakeholders.
• Good understanding of patent systems and international IP frameworks, including the PCT system, with a focus on practical application, engagement with user needs and business considerations.
• Ability to convincingly present and explain advantages of the PCT system over direct national filings.
• Excellent organizational and planning abilities to manage outreach and promotional activities effectively.
• Ability to work independently and proactively drive business development initiatives.
• Significant experience (preferably 10 years) working with businesses, associations, or clients to promote IP services and solutions
• Experience in organizing and delivering workshops, webinars, or training sessions with a commercial or client-focused approach.

5.    Duration of contract and payment

This consultancy is for 12 months from July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027, inclusive.  

Applicants are requested to provide an indication of their remuneration expectations as a daily rate in Swiss francs (CHF), exclusive of any performance bonus.

Compensation Structure:

• Base Honorarium: Determined based on the candidate’s qualifications and relevant professional experience. Depending on travel requirements, the consultancy may involve up to 40–45 working days per year, with a minimum of 30 working days per year required to achieve the agreed-upon deliverables outlined in item 2(a) above. Annexed Table I shall be used to track and verify compliance with the base/core services. 
• Performance Bonus: The Contractor may be eligible for a performance-based bonus for results exceeding baseline performance, calculated according to the methodology outlined below.  

Performance bonus Calculation:

CHF 50 per each additional PCT application filed above the historical users average for the first 20 applications; CHF 75 for the next 20 applications; and CHF 100 for each application thereafter, up to a maximum of 50% of the annual base honorarium.

Payment Schedule:

• Base honorarium: within a month following any activities performed, subject to submission of invoices by the Contractor, satisfactory completion of services and deliverables.

• Performance bonus: Calculated and paid at end of the following month after the one-year anniversary of the last PCT user interaction by the Contractor during the course of the contract (example: last user visit on November 23, 2026: bonus payments will be calculated and made by the end of December 2027)

Travel Arrangements:

The Contractor is responsible for organizing their own travel for any missions directed or authorized by WIPO from the place of assignment and handle all the related purchases and payments. WIPO will reimburse the Contractor up to the maximum amount previously notified per planned travel, with payment only being made against receipts/presentation of the ticket.

6. Non-disclosure of confidential information

In the course of their official duties, the Contractor may have access to confidential information, including information related to unpublished PCT applications.  The Contractor undertakes to not disclose or use any confidential information for personal gain or for any purpose other than the performance of their official duties and within the limits agreed upon with WIPO. They also have the duty to report any conflict of interest should one arise.

7. Other information

ICS contractors fall outside the coverage of employment contracts for WIPO Staff members and are not subject to the WIPO Staff Regulations and Rules. 

[1] WIPO will provide lists of current PCT users in the United States of America. 

[2] WIPO will provide lists of potential under-users of the PCT system in the United States of America.

[3] WIPO will provide a template for conducting post-activity user satisfaction surveys.

[4] WIPO will provide a template for the report and expected details.

Annexed Table I