Associate Program Officer

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.

1. Organizational Context

a. Organizational Setting

The post is located in the PCT Legal and User Support Section, PCT Legal and User Relations Division, PCT Legal and International Affairs Department, Patents and Technology Sector. The PCT Legal and User Support Section deals with providing legal advice on PCT matters to all users of the PCT system (in particular applicants, their agents and PCT Contracting States), implements changes to the PCT Regulations and other changes within the PCT system and reaches out to PCT users and potential PCT users through various training activities.

b. Purpose Statement

The incumbent’s main role is assisting the Deputy Director and Head of the Section by investigating, analyzing and preparing for decision specific PCT applications that have encountered legal or procedural difficulties, to keep statistics on cases received by the Section and to ensure that any case-related queries received by Section are timely responded to, as well as providing access to the file of the International Bureau and to issue certified copies of any documents in the file of the International Bureau. The incumbent also engages in outreach and promotional activities to raise awareness and understanding of the PCT system.

c. Reporting Lines

The incumbent works under the supervision of the Deputy Director and Head of Section.

d. Work Relations

The incumbent liaises regularly with colleagues from PCT Operations, responds to communications from PCT users and PCT Authorities.

2. Duties and Responsibilities

The incumbent will perform the following principal duties:

a. Investigating, analyzing, researching and preparing for decision by the Deputy Director and Head of Section, PCT applications which have experienced legal and/or processing problems.

b. Drafting letters and internal memoranda resolving issues of PCT applications which have experienced legal and processing problems raised by applicants, agents and staff of the PCT Operations Division; drafting letters and internal memoranda regarding access to file of international applications by applicants, agents and third parties, and to issue certified copies of any documents in the applications file.

c. Review and provide comments and observations on PCT procedures-related texts from the PCT Business Development Division, the PCT International Cooperation Division and the PCT Operations Division.

d. Communicating with the PCT Operations Division on procedural matters in handling PCT applications; analyzing and proposing data-informed plans of action for the improved handling of PCT applications.

e. Supplying information in both oral and written form on the PCT procedure in general to applicants, agents and inventors; providing legal and procedural advice in connection with specific international applications.

f. Preparing draft revised and new PCT forms; providing assistance to Legal Officers in various projects related to the implementation of amendments to the PCT Regulations, including modifications of the PCT Receiving Office Guidelines, PCT forms, etc..

g. Administering the “Basic PCT Distance Learning Course” including the update, review and translation into the ten PCT languages; coordinating between the WIPO Academy and their distance learning programs and the PCT Translation Section; responding to inquiries from users of the PCT Distance Learning Course; providing guidance on complex responses in coordination as necessary with other colleagues.

h. Contribute to outreach and promotional activities aimed at increasing awareness and understanding of the PCT system among potential users, including through training sessions, webinars, and stakeholder engagement.

i. Support data analytics initiatives by collecting and analyzing user feedback, service metrics, and procedural data to inform decision-making, improve service delivery, and identify trends in legal and procedural issues.

j. Foster a culture of providing high quality customer-focused services by identifying varying customer needs, recommending best practices which can improve customer interactions and, proactively addressing potential issues before they impact the customer experience.
k. Performing other related duties as required.

3. Requirements

Education (Essential)

First-level university degree, preferably in law, natural sciences, or engineering.

Experience (Essential)

At least three years of relevant professional experience, including experience with the PCT system.

Experience (Desirable)

Experience in a legal or paralegal role.

Experience in data analysis.

Experience in conducting outreach activities.

Language (Essential)

Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English.

Language (Desirable)

Good knowledge of other PCT publication languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian or Spanish).

Job Related Competencies (Essential)

Ability to analyze legal cases and to apply the relevant PCT provisions to cases.

Ability to present clearly and logically in written and oral form.

Good organizational skills with the ability to work within strict deadlines.

Client orientation with ability to deliver high quality client services.

Ability to interpret and use data analytics tools to support decision-making and service improvement.

Capacity to engage in outreach and promotional activities, including public speaking and stakeholder engagement.

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and ability to maintain effective partnerships and working relations with sensitivity and respect for diversity.

Proficiency in digital tools, AI-enabled applications, and online collaboration platforms. Commitment to continuous learning and the adoption of emerging technologies.

4. Organizational Competencies

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.

5. Information

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 May 2026 rate of 90.7%

P2

Annual salary

$50,377

Post adjustment

$45,692

Total Salary

$96,069

Currency USD

Salaries and allowances are paid in Swiss francs at the official rate of exchange of the United Nations.

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.

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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.