External Offices Coordination Consultant

Title of Assignment: External Offices Coordination Consultant  

Name of unit/sector: External Offices Coordination Unit (EOCU), Division for External Offices and Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States Coordination (DELLS).          

Place of Assignment: Geneva (WIPO HQ)    
    
Expected places of travel (if applicable): N/A    
    
Expected duration of assignment: From February 15, 2026 to August 15, 2026. The Contract may be renewed based on performance, organizational needs, and budget availability, up to a maximum cumulative duration of 24 months at a 100% activity rate. 

1.    Background

The External Offices Coordination Unit (EOCU) has the following mandate:

•     Enhances the effectiveness and the coherence of the functioning of the network of External Offices.

•     Supports two-way communication between the External Offices and Headquarters.

•     Supports the ongoing diplomatic processes (Member States discussions concerning External Offices).

•     Provides administrative support to those External Offices supervised by the Office of the Director General

The EOCU is responsible for the overall coordination of the External Offices and enhancement of the coherence of the functioning of the network of the seven WIPO External Offices.  This includes defining policy, developing strategies for mandate implementation, facilitating information flow between External Offices and Headquarters; and reviewing processes and procedures.

The EOCU coordinates and provides administrative support from Headquarters to the External Offices supervised by RNDS (External Offices based in Algeria, Brazil, Nigeria, the Russian Federation and Singapore).

The EOCU systematically monitors the implementation of the Workplans of the External Offices, providing guidance and advice to facilitate their implementation.  The EOCU also monitors and coordinates the submissions of External Offices concerning the Program and Budget, the WIPO Performance Report and other regular programmatic reporting.

2.    Objective of the assignment

The Contractor will provide time-bound support to enhance the effectiveness and coherence of the External Offices network. The Contractor will deliver outputs to facilitate coordination, information flow, and performance review, and provide targeted recommendations to the Director of DELLS and relevant stakeholders. The Contractor will also establish and maintain relationships with external stakeholders as required.

3.    Tasks/ Responsibilities

The Contractor will:

a)    Provide support to the Director of DELLS, in the overall coordination and enhancement of the coherence of the functioning of the network of the WIPO External Offices by analyzing policy, reporting on developments and performance, and advising on administrative settings, processes and procedures and providing recommendations for their improvement and streamlining

b)    Provide support to the ongoing process being conducted by Member States to review and possibly expand the network of External Offices by providing data and information as required.

c)    Facilitate information flows between External Offices and Headquarters by: identifying priority matters, analyzing and disseminating documents and information; and liaising with substantive Sectors and programs in Headquarters on behalf of External Offices.  Prepare and deliver draft reports, briefing notes, background materials, talking points and fact sheets

d)    Provide coordination of administrative support from Headquarters to the External Offices supervised by RNDS (the External Offices based in Algeria, Brazil, Nigeria, the Russian Federation and Singapore).

e)    Provide monitoring of the implementation of the Workplans of the External Offices, as well as guidance and advice to support their effective implementation.

f)    Provide monitoring and coordination of submissions from External Offices concerning the Program and Budget, the WIPO Performance Report, and other regular programmatic reporting, including a first-level review of narrative and statistical inputs.

g)    Provide support for the implementation of the External Offices’ communication strategies by monitoring webpages and other communication channels (including social media) and providing recommendations to enhance the Offices’ communications.

h)    Provide administrative and other support for the operation of the Division (DELLS).  

4.    Deliverables/services

The Contractor will be responsible for the following deliverables:

Programmatic Issues

(a)    Prepare the first draft of the External Offices quarterly report.

(b)    Monitor and coordinate the submissions concerning the Program of Work and Budget, the WIPO Performance Report and other regular programmatic reporting.

(c)    Quarterly reviews of Performance Data to be reported in the WIPO Performance Report.

Support to the 5 External Offices supervised by RNDS

(d)    Ensure the timely processing of memoranda and other requests from the five offices.

(e)    Provide guidance and advice to the offices on administrative matters

(f)    Facilitate the engagement of units in Headquarters on matters raised by the offices, as required

(g)    Track implementation of the workplans of the five offices throughout the year

Communications

(h)    Organize regular meetings with External Offices Communications Focal Points

(i)    Take the lead in organizing the annual series of briefings for the External Offices at the WIPO Assemblies

(j)    Monitor the webpages and other communications channels of Offices (including social media)

(k)    Provide recommendations for improved communications by the Offices

3.    Reporting 

The Contractor will be under the supervision of the Director of DELLS.
                                

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

•     First-level university degree in law, international relations, public administration, or other relevant field.

•     At least three year’s work experience including in the area of the coordination of programs.

•     Excellent (written and spoken) knowledge of English.

•     Knowledge of result-based programming and budgeting.

•     Proven organizational and coordination skills.  Ability to work quickly and efficiently under pressure.

•     Excellent drafting skills.

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

•     Discretion tact and an ability to operate effectively in a sensitive diplomatic environment.

•     Sound judgment; ability to quickly assess complex and fast-moving situations and developments. Competent user of Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) and the internet. Discretion and integrity.

•     Confident user of Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) and the internet.

5.    Duration of contract and payment

February 15, 2026 to August 15, 2026. The Contract may be renewed based on performance, organizational needs, and budget availability, up to a maximum cumulative duration of 24 months at a 100% activity rate.  

Payment will be made on a monthly basis, subject to submission of invoices by the Contractor, satisfactory completion of services and deliverables.

Applicants are requested to provide an indication of their remuneration expectations in Swiss francs (daily rate).

6.    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. The contractor has no entitlement to vacation or sick leave, except for WIPO official holidays, or to medical insurance or staff pension. Absences from work will be deducted from the contractor’s payment on a pro-rated basis.