Legal Training Development Expert (Consultant) en World Intellectual Property Organization

Title of Assignment: Legal Training Development Expert (Consultant)

Name of unit/sector:  IP eLearning Section, WIPO Academy, Regional and National Development Sector

Place of Assignment: World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Headquarters, Geneva. Switzerland

Expected places of travel: As required

Expected duration of assignment: from November 1, 2025 to December 31, 2026

1. Background and Objective of the assignment

This position is located in the WIPO Academy, the core entity in WIPO for training and capacity-building activities, establishing strong partnerships with WIPO Member States, academic institutions, and stakeholders to enhance the range and delivery of training and knowledge transfer.  

The Academy serves as the cornerstone for training, eLearning, and capacity-building initiatives, functioning as an international center of excellence for both general and professional training in the service of IP and innovation, particularly for developing countries, LDCs, countries with economies in transition, and WIPO staff. Positioned as a catalyst, the IP eLearning Section primarily strengthens and expands the scope of innovation impact through enhanced IP support skills and capacities at national, regional, and international levels.  

The Section works closely with all Sectors, and WIPO Member States, external partners, and stakeholders to deliver development-oriented IP and professional enhancement (non-IP) training, eLearning, and capacity-building support according to demand and adapting to technological advancements that are shaping the evolving needs of the ecosystem.

The offerings by the IP eLearning Section have increased significantly in the past few years, given the demand for industry-specific and tailored eLearning Courses and Blended Learning Training Programs. To manage this high increasing demand, the IP eLearning Section requires the services of a Legal Training Development Coordinator hired through an individual services contract to provide legal/ IP expertise and manage the development of new training and eLearning initiatives.  

Purpose Statement 

The purpose of this consultancy is to support the effective implementation and development of the IP eLearning Section’s activities. The consultant will be responsible for providing time-bound legal and project management support. This includes, providing substantive legal/ IP support in developing new eLearning courses and blended learning training programs, preparing memoranda of understanding and cooperation agreements. The consultant will act as a focal point for communication with WIPO Sectors, external partners, universities, and Member States in relation to course design, program curricula, and expectations, and will recommend and liaise with IP professors and experts to support the delivery of courses over the assignment period. .The consultant will also contribute to the development of specialized and advanced courses for mature audiences who require greater technical specialization to benefit from IP in the innovation ecosystem.  

In addition, the consultant will provide substantive IP and legal support to the team and assist with negotiation and preparation of knowledge sharing and cooperation agreements between the WIPO Academy and public and private partners.  

Finally, the consultant may support the WIPO Academy in awareness-building and knowledge-sharing webinars and discussions to enhance participation and engagement in WIPO Academy courses.  

2. Deliverables  

The Consultant will be responsible for the successful completion of the following projects and measurable outputs during the assignment period:

• Deliver a workplan and coordinate the development and launch of IP eLearning courses and blended training programs, in relation to IP and sports, IP for entrepreneurs/ SMEs, women, IP for medical manufacturing, patents and trade secrets. This includes preparing internal memoranda for approvals, terms of reference for on-boarding subject-matter experts, finalizing curricula, course outlines, news reports and competition documents/ reports.
   
• Draft and review cooperation agreements, letters of intent, and memoranda of understanding with universities, public and private partners, and international organizations during the course of assignment. 
   
• Provide substantive legal and IP input and expertise in  the development of specific IP eLearning courses and new blended learning training programs, in relation to IP and sports, IP for entrepreneurs/ SMEs, women, IP for medical manufacturing, patents and trade secrets, from initiation to pilot and launch.
   
• Provide expertise for the design and preparation of a blueprint of IP, innovation, creativity, entrepreneurship, and STEM education plans, including integration of innovation, creativity, and IP awareness into the curriculum, tailored to the needs of the target audience.
   
• Deliver research and coordination inputs  on best practices for training and educating on innovations and entrepreneurship for schools and universities in the area of IP, innovation, creativity, entrepreneurship, and STEM, including contributions to the WIPO Academy’s two (2) CDIP Projects, namely, ‘empowering youth to innovate for a better future’ and ‘enhancing IP education capacities of artistic and creative academic institutions to foster creativity’.
   
• Design and develop at least two (2) surveys, prepare analytical reports with quantitative data and visualized findings to support the evaluation. 
   
• Draft and update course programs, curricula, and outlines of up to three (3) new/ upcoming IP eLearning courses and training programs. 
   
• For the duration of the assignment, facilitate smooth communication across WIPO Sectors and with external stakeholders, in relation to the agreed deliverables.. 
   
• Prepare briefing notes, statements, reports, and presentations in support of the deliverables above, and in connection with  WIPO Academy’s offerings on IP and IP Education. 
   

3. Reporting  

The Consultant will report to the Director, IP eLearning and Internal Training Section, WIPO Academy, under the supervision of the eLearning Training Manager.

4. Requirements

Education:

1. Advanced University degree in law with specialization in IP law. 
    
2. Formal certification or demonstrated experience in IP project management is desirable.

Experience:  

1. Minimum of 5 years of experience in IP law at national and international levels.
    
2. Experience in the area of partnerships, stakeholder management, and/or program management. 
    
3. Excellent communication skills. 
    
4. Resourceful and proactive. 
    
5. Fluency in written and spoken English required.

5. Duration of contract and payment

The Consultant is expected to start on November 1, 2025, and end on December 31, 2026, with the possibility of extension, subject to assignment needs and availability of budget. The maximum cumulative contract duration is 24 months.

Applicants are requested to provide an indication of their remuneration expectations of a daily rate in either Swiss francs, Euros, British Pounds, or USD.

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

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.

The consultant may be required to undertake official travel on behalf of WIPO. In such cases, travel arrangements and related expenses will be covered by WIPO in accordance with its applicable rules and policies.