Senior Project Manager

The post is located in the Standards Section of the International Classifications and Standards Division. This Section is responsible for the Global Identifier project the status and results of which should be reported to the Committee on WIPO Standards (CWS).  The CWS provides a forum to adopt new or revised WIPO standards, policies, recommendations and statements of principle relating to intellectual property (IP) data, global information system related matters, information services on the global system, data dissemination and documentation.  This Section fosters collaborations among stakeholders and users in relation to IP data and documentation, and global IP information systems and services.

Purpose Statement:

The main role of the incumbent is to manage the Global Identifier project.  The incumbent will contribute to the formulation and implementation of WIPO’s program for the development of balanced and effective international (normative) frameworks for IP in the field of WIPO Standards, and policies, recommendations and statements of principle related to IP data, global information system related matters, information services on the global system, data dissemination and documentation.  The incumbent will also contribute to bringing the IP community together to proactively address, at the global level, emerging issues and policy challenges relating to IP, innovation and creativity in terms of the way that IP offices and other stakeholders perform their work, the data they produce and the types of services they provide, including the utilization of new digital technologies.

Reporting Lines:

The incumbent works under the supervision of the Head of the Standards Section.

Duties and Responsibilities:

The incumbent will perform the following principal duties:

• Oversee documentation and successful completion of Phase II of the Global Identifier project. Identify, analyze, plan and design project objectives, approach and scope based on business needs; manage the implementation, documentation and realization of benefits for the project.
• Manage the project schedules in an agile manner in line with the high level plan; monitor project milestones, and key performance indicators; identify and resolve potential issues; track actual vs. projected expenses, analyze variances, and forecast expenditures; propose project risk remediation to project boards for review and decision-making; develop dashboards and other monitoring tools to track and effectively communicate to senior management the implementation progress.
• Ensure that the Organization’s project management principles, policies and programs are followed and that controls are put in place regarding managing information and access to data.
• Collaborate with all internal and external project stakeholders, taking into consideration their views and addressing issues; ensure that products and services are aligned with expectations and business needs.
• Ensure the project is using best practice and keep abreast of technology developments in the context of IT application integration and user experience.
• Lead and supervise the project team consisting of internal and external project team members, and external service providers; empower and motivate the team and encourage a sustainable pace with high levels of quality; monitor and evaluate team performance against plans.
• Estimate costs, timescales and resource requirements for the successful delivery of the project to the agreed terms of reference; monitor costs, timescales and resources used, and take action where these deviate from agreed tolerances; maintain required financial records, using appropriate tools, for compliance and audit.
• Ensure the elaboration of documents for tendering exercises, evaluate responses and coordinate the selection of service providers and vendors. Organize requirements into appropriate categories, clarify specifications of products and services to be procured.
• Act as the liaison between the Organization and participating IP offices; between the Organization and IP industry users; between the Organization and suppliers, owning the relationship regarding the contracts on behalf of the Organization, enabling all communications to take place effectively and efficiently.
• Ensure that the Phase II of the project is formally closed and, where appropriate subsequently reviewed, and that lessons learned are captured; produce appropriate documentation to support this process; and participate in the preparation of the next steps.
• Organize and participate in meetings related to WIPO global identifier.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Requirements:

Education Essential:

• Advanced university degree in business management, law, information technology or a related field.  A first-level university degree plus two years of relevant experience in addition to the experience requested below may be acceptable in lieu of an advanced university degree.
• Certification in project management, e.g. PRINCE2, Managing Successful Programs or Agile.

Education Desirable:

• Certification in software development, data management or blockchain.

Experience Essential:

• At least seven years of relevant professional experience, including in managing medium to large projects with direct business impact; using industry standard program and project management methodologies, tools, and program and project planning and control techniques, including budget control.
• Experience in process improvement or process standardization.
• Experience in business analysis processes and methodologies.
• Experience in managing teams of business analysts and developers.

Experience Desirable:

• Experience in an international environment, including the organization and coordination of technical discussions and meetings at international level.
• Experience in identity management desirably across jurisdictions.
• Experience in intellectual property prosecution processes such as application filings and registration systems.
• Experience in standards, policies or recommendations relating to IP data, global IP information system related matters, IP information services on the global system, IP data dissemination and documentation.

Language Essential:

• Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English.

Language Desirable:

• Knowledge of other UN languages Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish.

Source: https://wipo.taleo.net/careersection/wp_1/jobdetail.ftl?job=24433-TA