Project Manager

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.

1.     Organizational Context

a.    Organizational Setting

The post is located in the Composite Indicator Research Section of the Economics and Statistics Division, Department for Economics and Data Analytics (DEDA), IP and Innovation Ecosystems Sector.  This Division is responsible for providing accurate, comprehensive and timely statistical information on the performance of the intellectual property (IP) system worldwide;  and providing high quality empirical analysis addressing economic challenges in the international IP system and assessing the economic effects of IP policy choices.  The Composite Indicator Research Section coordinates the annual publication of WIPO's flagship Global Innovation Index (GII), provides assistance to Member States seeking to employ composite indicators for national policy development, and collaborates with internal and external stakeholders to explore and mobilize new data sources for better measuring innovation and creativity.

b.    Purpose Statement

As Project Manager in this Section, the incumbent is responsible for the organization, the implementation and the dissemination of the GII report and related country-specific activities.  The incumbent plans, coordinates, and executes project activities and related work streams, in collaboration with other team members and within other WIPO Divisions.  In this role, the project manager is responsible for defining project objectives, for exercising team leadership, for establishing crafting and maintaining links with main stakeholders, and for adapting project plans and outputs to changing needs.  In this function, he or she is responsible for further strengthening and creatively growing the GII brand and impact with its main stakeholders and in online and offline media outlets.

c.    Reporting Lines

The incumbent works under the supervision of the Head of the Composite Indicator Research Section.

d.    Work Relations

The incumbent closely collaborates with other DEDA sections, other WIPO Divisions (in particular Publication and Design, News and Media and IT), national government agencies, other inter-governmental organizations, innovation economists and data collaborators.

2.     Duties and Responsibilities

The incumbent will perform the following principal duties:

a.  Lead the project management of the GII, its main outputs, its dissemination and evaluation, flag potential bottlenecks and take corrective action as required.

b.  In years where the GII has a theme, select and shepherd external GII chapter contributors from high profile private and public sector authors and academics.

c.  Orchestrate the GII production process, in cooperation with other GII team members, editors, designers, from inception to delivery.  Draft terms of reference; design, plan and execute sub-projects; estimate and monitor costs, timing and resource requirements.

d.  Promote the use of artificial intelligence tools in the crafting and the dissemination of the GII.

e.  Grow the GII project and its brand into new fields and innovation areas as applicable and as requested by senior management, also contributing to some knowledge products such as the GII Tracker or other GII chapters.

f.   Craft and execute a GII dissemination and promotion strategy, including for online media in conjunction with the various WIPO Communications Division related to marketing, publications and the media and with GII partners.

g.  Issue contracts to third parties, as well as execute administrative actions such as the preparation of documents, reports, memoranda, budgets or other requirements as relevant to GII or WIPO processes.

h.  Ensure the organization of the yearly global launch and other regional and country events (location, agenda, logistics, catering, etc.), including the preparation of presentations.

i.   Perform other related duties as required, including the management of the GII performance metrics.

3.     Requirements

Education (Essential)

First-level university degree in Finance, Project Management, Information Technology, Public or Business Administration or related field.

Experience (Essential)

At least six years of relevant professional experience in the field of project management and/or innovation-related fields, including at the international level.

Experience (Desirable)

Experience in the field of innovation and related study work.

Experience in the elaboration of flagship projects, reports or country profiles.

Experience in working with governmental or international organizations.

Language (Essential)

Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English.

Language (Desirable)

Good knowledge of one or more other UN official languages.

Job Related Competencies (Essential)

Excellent analytical, organizational, planning and project management skills.

Ability to manage multi-stakeholder research projects and finances.

Strong time management skills, ability to work under pressure and manage risks.

Critical thinking and excellent communication and drafting skills, including solid practical experience with social media and the use of artificial intelligence tools.

Ability to work with different text and graphic software, including for the treatment of data.

Ability to develop and expand strategically brands and projects into new domains, ensuring strong presence and reputation among different stakeholders.

Excellent negotiation skills and ability to understand relationships and the needs and interests of different stakeholders.

Job Related Competencies (Desirable)

Ability to translate organization vision into a project vision.

Creativity in the production of communication and visualization tools - possibly including with the use of relevant advanced software programs, for dissemination on social and other media.

Knowledge of Tableau, or other data (R, Python), and project management software.

Familiarity with UN processes and rules.