Pursuing a career at WIPO means being part of a specialized United Nations agency dedicated to making intellectual property (IP) work for innovation and creativity.
Our staff work in multi-disciplinary, multi-cultural teams in a stimulating international setting. We work with governments, IP practitioners, civil society and the private sector to administer global IP services, develop international law and standards, set up collaborative networks, and build capacity in the use of IP for development.
The majority of staff positions are based at our Geneva headquarters.
We encourage applications from women as well as from nationals of unrepresented WIPO member statesand underrepresented geographical regions.
"I really like my job: it’s intellectually challenging and exciting to see the results and impact of my work". Impactpool Interview with BeeBee Moret-Tan, Senior Database Applications Officer, on her career at WIPO, work in IT and in international organizations. (Photo: WIPO/Berrod)
Contract types
WIPO offers two types of contract for staff positions:
Fixed-term: Usually granted for an initial period of one-two years, and may be extended further subject to business needs and individual performance.
Temporary: Granted for a period of up to one year, and may be extended to a cumulative length of two years.
Categories of staff position
Regardless of contract type, staff roles fall into three categories: Directors (D), Professional (P) staff and General Service (G) staff, each with their own grading structure.
Useful resources
How to apply
FAQs
Staff Regulations and Rules
Competency-based Interviews (CBI) Applicant Guide
Professional staff and Directors
Professional staff and directors are recruited internationally for roles which require a high level of professional knowledge, functional skills and management ability.
The Taleo recruitment platform allows you to sign up to receive job alerts for specific job families.
National Professional Officers
National Professional Officers are locally-recruited staff serving at a non-heaquarters duty station. They perform professional functions requiring local expertise.
The Taleo recruitment platform allows you to sign up to receive job alerts for specific job families.
Meet our staff
Staff in the Madrid Registry talk about their work on the Madrid System for the protection of trademarks.
Find out how staff in the Global Databases Division provide accessible and usable IP information using cutting-edge technologies.
Learn about the work of translators and revisers in our PCT Translation Division.
"What I enjoy most is the energy coming from working with my colleagues" – Violetta Ghetu, Legal Officer, Design and Geographical Indication Law Section.
"It’s the diversity in activities that makes working at WIPO so attractive" – Eun Joo Min, Senior Legal Counsellor, Building Respect for IP Division.
"I can assist the creative people of the Caribbean to obtain value to the work that they are doing" – Carol Simpson, Head of Caribbean Section.
“WIPO offers the chance to increase competencies throughout professional life” – Yves Ngoubeyou, Senior Program Officer, Regional Bureau for Africa.
"I am given the opportunity to work on things that I care passionately about" – Glenn Mac Stravic, Head of Brand Database Section.
Benefits
WIPO aims to be an employer of choice, offering competitive conditions of service, a rewarding work environment, opportunities for professional development, and a family-friendly, work-life balance.
Remuneration
Remuneration in the Professional and Director categoriesis made up of two main elements: the base salary, plus the post adjustment element which varies according to the cost of living in the country where the job is based. The post adjustment is added to the base salary in order to provide equivalent living standards at different locations.
The salary scale for professional and director categories comprises five Professional levels (P-1 to P-5) and two Director levels (D1 and D2). These scales are applied worldwide by all organizations in the United Nations Common System.
Staff in the General Service category are recruited locally and paid according to the local salary scale (Geneva, Switzerland).
Other benefits
Staff are eligible for 30 days of annual leave per year on a full-time basis (or the pro-rata equivalent). They are covered by the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Scheme, and by worldwide medical and dental insurance.
Other benefits, which vary according to category and level, may include:
Dependency allowance
Education grant for schools and first-level university education (up to 75% of expenses)
Home leave for staff member and dependents
Life insurance
Maternity/paternity/adoption leave
Travel and removal expenses, and an appointment grant
Rental subsidy
Applying for a staff position
WIPO seeks to recruit staff from a wide range of backgrounds, and with diverse experience, languages and expertise. We are committed to matching the best candidate to each role through a thorough review of all applications. Our recruitment process can therefore be lengthy as it involves several steps, usually including pre-screening, a written test, and a final interview with the Appointment Board. On average, it takes about 19 weeks between publication time and the final decision.
WIPO competencies
Competencies are a combination of skills, attributes and behaviors which are essential for all staff.
For each post we seek to appoint the strongest candidate, who will meet the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity.
We select on the strength of candidates' qualifications, experience and demonstrated competences for the job.
We seek to recruit staff from as wide a geographical basis as possible.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all candidates who meet the minimum requirements, irrespective of gender, racial, ethnic or social origin, color, religion, belief, or sexual orientation.
We are committed to achieving gender balance at all levels of the Organization.
Tips for applicants
Understand the requirements of the position you are interested in, and only apply if you meet them all.
If you are invited for an interview, come prepared. Familiarize yourself with the work of WIPO and the position you are applying for.
Be ready to share concrete examples and situations from your previous professional experiences that illustrate your ability to perform the duties of the job you are applying for.
Make sure to familiarize yourself with the WIPO competencies.
and underrepresented geographical regions. 
