Director, Division for Africa

Position description

Organizational Context

Organizational Setting

The post is located in the Division for Africa, Department for Development Cooperation in the Regional and National Development Sector.

The Sector serves as a diplomatic, political, and operational gateway for all Member States (MSs) of the Organization from African Countries; facilitating two-way communication and cooperation across WIPO; supporting MSs in the development and implementation of policy in the context of effective IP ecosystems; and strengthening the capacity of MSs and stakeholders in the use of IP as a tool for growth and development. Technical assistance is provided in close cooperation with relevant WIPO sectors. They are aimed at facilitating the use of IP by stakeholders for social, cultural and economic development.

The Division provides and manages the Organization’s policy documents and, advisory services, capacity building and technical assistance programs from African Countries the regional, sub-regional and inter-regional levels, in coordination with other Sectors of the Organization.

Purpose Statement

The incumbent is responsible for managing and providing oversight and quality control of the Division’s activities, with the aim of ensuring the timely, effective and efficient achievement of the expected results, in accordance with the Program and Budget, annual work plans and related performance indicators and targets.

The Director serves as the primary interface for providing advice, managing the technical assistance portfolio, and contributing to the impactful implementation of the Organization’s objective of supporting the use of intellectual property (IP) as a tool for growth and development in the African region.

Reporting Lines

The incumbent works under the supervision of the Senior Director of the Department for Development Cooperation of the Regional and National Development Sector.

Duties and Responsibilities

The incumbent will perform the following principal duties

• Lead work to strengthen WIPO’s political engagement with government authorities by providing expert advice and relevant information on the economic, social and cultural contexts of the African region, with a special focus on their IP and innovation ecosystems.
• Lead the Division’s portfolio of work and have overall responsibility for the management of its human and financial resources, identifying priorities and allocating resources for the timely and quality delivery of work products in accordance with the management models and schemes adopted by the Department for all regional Divisions.
• Oversee the development, review and efficient execution of work plans, budget and the compilation and analysis of implementation and performance of activities within a results-based framework.
• Lead the design, management and implementation of new path-breaking multi-dimensional development cooperation initiatives and projects, in order to tailor-fit to selected countries and/or situations.
• Develop and manage strategic partnerships through the engagement with national, regional or sub-regional organizations, both in the public and private sectors, in order to, promote and deliver cooperation in various areas of IP and innovation, and facilitate the creation of value among users, including, SMEs, innovators, creators, and communities.
• Manage and contribute to key issues relating to the design, development, implementation, monitoring and assessment of IP policies, national IP strategies, country plans and development cooperation programs, in line with WIPO’s results-based management framework.
• Establish effective coordination mechanisms between the Division for Africa and other parts of WIPO to ensure the delivery of relevant and impactful technical assistance.
• Oversee the management of extra-budgetary resources or Funds-in-Trust, negotiate with funders, and reconcile funder’s goals with the development priorities of countries in the region as well as the Program and Budget targets and performance goals of the Organization.
• Represent the Organization and participate in various regional, sub-regional and/or national forums, meetings and seminars.
• Perform other duties as necessary.

Requirements

Education (Essential)

• Advanced university degree in, law, economics, international relations, development studies or related discipline.
• A first-level university degree plus two years of relevant experience in addition to the experience requested below may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience (Essential)

• At least 15 years of progressive professional experience in the field of intellectual property and policymaking, international cooperation, and development.
• Experience with and knowledge of the social, economic and legal systems of one or several sub- regions covering the African region.
• Proven experience leading and managing projects.
• Proven experience leading and managing teams and resources.

Experience (Desirable)

• Experience with results-based management.
• Experience in developing and implementing IP and innovation national policies and/or strategies.
• Experience with the administration of national or regional IP offices and/or the development of national or regional innovation ecosystems.

Language (Essential)

• Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English and French.

Language (Desirable)

• Knowledge of other official UN languages.

Job Related Competencies (Essential)

• Excellent communication, presentation and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to maintain effective partnerships and working relations in a multi-cultural environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
• Excellent people and resource management skills.
• Sound judgment and diplomatic skills.
• Strong analytical and decision-making skills.
• Competent user of Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) and the internet and the ability to quickly adjust to new technology.

Job Related Competencies (Desirable)

• National or regional level policy planning, formulation and implementation.

Application instructions

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