Title of Assignment: Patent Examination Consultant to help ensure efficient and effective delivery of the CETS 2025 Workplan, projects and activities during a limited period
Name of unit/sector: Cooperation on Examination and Training Section (CETS) of the PCT International Cooperation Division (PCT ICD), PCT Legal and International Affairs Department, Patents and Technology Sector
Place of Assignment: WIPO HQ, Geneva, Switzerland
Expected duration of assignment: The assignment is limited in duration. 8 months, from March 1 to October 30, 2025
1. Objective of the assignment
Under the immediate supervision of the Senior Program Officers in CETS, and the overall supervision of the Director, the Consultant will provide temporary support to the Cooperation on Examination and Training Section by replacing a Staff on maternity leave. The consultant will contribute to the completion of ongoing projects and support the sectionโs activities, including ย :
โข Performing internal and external coordination, development, facilitation, and execution of international technical cooperation activities.
โข Supporting the substantive examination of patent applications, including PCT international applications, Paris Convention route applications, and national applications.
โข Engaging with IP Offices of PCT Member States, including developing countries, least developed countries, and countries with economies in transition.
โข Designing and delivering training programs and capacity-building activities tailored to the needs of these Member States.
This role ensures business continuity in operations and maintains high standards in the delivery of technical cooperation services.
2. Deliverables/servicesย
The consultant will perform the following principal duties:
a. Manage and implement technical assistance activities for IP Offices of developing, least developed countries, and countries with economies in transition, related to the substantive examination of patent applications. This includes providing support in relation to substantive patent examiner training activities: (i) preparation of training contents and materials (e.g. slide deck and/or quizzes); (ii) facilitation of the trainings; and (iii) coordination of the promotion of the trainings/projects, in particular on social media, in coordination with all dedicated internal units across the Organization.
b. Monitor the ICE dedicated email account (i.e. manage communications between requester and donor offices); oversee the preparation of search and examination reports by donor offices; coordinate the maintenance of the ICD website/webpage and update ICE forms.
c. Engage with beneficiary countries (i.e. developing, least developed countries and countries with economies in transition) to assist them in fostering building legislative foundations supporting substantive patent examination, drafting/updating search and examination manuals and guidelines for the use of external patent examination work products from other national phases. ย
d. Coordinate the development of eLearning management tools and infrastructure (e.g. competency framework) and related model training components/curricula for IP Offices to guide them in training their substantive patent examiners. This includes designing and implementing platforms/networks for international cooperation among such patent examiners; assessing their needs to design tailored curricula; monitoring the inventory of training resources available or tools suitable for the purpose of substantive patent examiner training; coordinating with the WIPO Academy on the preparation of distance learning courses for substantive patent examiners. Engage with partner and beneficiary IP Offices and promote the use of these eLearning management tools and infrastructure through the platforms and networks.
e. Participate in and contribute to international discussions relating to substantive patent examination.ย
f. Coordinate with the Customer Experience Section of WIPO the evaluation surveys for the webinars and prepare the corresponding reports. Identify and propose relevant metrics and tools to measure the impact of the activities delivered by the Section.
g. Prepare regular progress and/or performance reports on activities undertaken.ย
h. Foster a culture of providing high-quality customer-focused services by identifying varying customer needs, recommending best practices which can improve customer interactions, including by using insights from the surveys and impact assessments in place, and, proactively addressing potential issues before they impact the customer experience.
i. Perform other related duties as required.ย
3. Reporting
The consultant works under the direct functional supervision of Senior Program Officers in CETS, and under the overall high-level supervision of the Director of the Division.
4. Profile
Education:ย
University degree in natural sciences, engineering, computer and/or information science, law, or related field, preferably, with a specialization in intellectual property law; or intellectual property management.
Experience:ย
Professional experience in patents including patent search and examination at national or international levels, and the use of foreign examination results.
Experience in planning, coordinating, or delivering training on substantive patent examination.
Ability to work in Geneva, starting as soon as possible, on a 100% basis.
Knowledge:ย
Excellent knowledge of prior art search and examination of patent applications in the field of biotechnology, pharmaceutical engineering, computer implemented inventions or artificial intelligence (essential).ย
Excellent knowledge of intellectual property, in particular patents (essential).ย
Excellent project management skills (essential).
Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills (essential).
Excellent organizational skills with the ability to work within strict deadlines (essential).
Excellent communications skills, both verbal and written, including the ability to draft and deliver presentations to various audiences (essential).
Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to maintain effective partnerships and working relations in a multi-cultural environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity (essential).
Adaptability to new environments, tasks and demands (essential).ย
Ability to work on own initiative and as a member of a team (essential)
Language:ย
Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English and Spanish
5. Duration of contract and payment
8 months, from March 1, 2025, to October 30, 2025 .
Applicants are requested to provide an indication of their remuneration expectations in Swiss francs (daily rate).