Principal Client Advisor

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 Operation Team 6, PCT Operations Service 1, PCT Operations Division, PCT Services Department, Patents and Technology Sector. The PCT Operations Division is responsible for the receipt, formalities examination, publication and communication of applications and related documents filed under the PCT and delivering high-quality customer services to PCT users in all 10 official PCT publication languages.

b. Purpose Statement

The main role of the incumbent is a focal point for big clients and IT related issues and acts as customer services and formalities examination expert.

c. Reporting Lines

The incumbent works under the supervision of the Team Head, PCT Operations Team 6.

d. Work Relations

The incumbent liaises frequently with external customers, PCT legal and IT specialists.

2. Duties and Responsibilities

The incumbent will perform the following principal duties:

a. Serve as focal point for a number of "key accounts" (major applicants and their agents), analyzing the situation of each, setting up regular contacts, providing guidance and dedicated trainings to ensure a high level of customer service.

b. Provide expert PCT Business input to development activities relating to the PCT system including IT tools and PCT rule changes.

c. Compile and analyze workload and productivity statistics and make proposals to Operations Team Head on how to increase efficiency and timeliness of work outputs.

d. Based on survey results, feedback from users, and issues raised by formalities examiners, draft inputs for the update and continuous development of the knowledge base; ensure knowledge sharing within the team.

e. Examine complex and contentious international applications and reply to queries on complex examination and procedural issues ensuring legal accuracy; Identify training needs for team members and propose training plans to the Operations Team Head for approval; provide on-the-job training and coaching and monitor quality.

f. Keep abreast of changes in the PCT, in particular changes in the regulatory framework and developments relating to IT tools used for processing and formalities examination, publication preparation and customer services.

g. Participate as a resource person in seminars and other events when required.

h. Perform other related tasks, including acting on behalf of the Operations Team Head as required.

3. Requirements

Education (Essential)

First-level university degree.

Experience (Essential)

At least six years of relevant professional experience with the PCT, including an IP office or comparable working environment.

Experience with formalities examination of patent applications.

Experience working in providing customer service and training.

Language (Essential)

Excellent written and spoken knowledge of English, and excellent written and spoken knowledge of either French or German.

Language (Desirable)

Knowledge of other PCT publication languages: Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian or Spanish.

Job Related Competencies (Essential)

Demonstrated ability to communicate with people from the technical and business field.

Excellent understanding of the PCT and ability to explain or provide training on the rules, regulations and procedures governing the area of work.

Ability to use IT tools and systems used for data capture and transmission, quality control and customer services.

Client orientation, with the ability to deliver high quality client services with a focus on improving service execution, delivery and outcomes.

Results-oriented.

Excellent time management and work organization skills; highly adaptable to new environments, tasks and demands.

Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.

Integrity in dealing with confidential and sensitive data.

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

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 August 2026 rate of 84.3%

P3

Annual salary

$64,121

Post adjustment

$54,310

Total Salary

$118,431

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.