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
Fellowships aim to provide fellows with experience to strengthen their knowledge and professional competence, which they can apply in their professional field once they have completed their fellowship with WIPO. Fellowships are awarded for specific activities, which provide the fellows training, within the approved work plan of the employing office.
The WIPO Development Agenda Coordination Division (DACD), within the Regional and National Development Sector, is in charge, inter alia, of coordinating the implementation of Development Agenda (DA) projects and the implementation of the decisions by the Committee on Development and Intellectual Property (CDIP).
The DA Project on Strengthening Sports Development through Intellectual Property (IP) in African Countries (the “Project”) was approved by the CDIP in December 2025. The project will be implemented by the Copyright Law Division (CLD), in cooperation with the DACD.
The Copyright Law Division is responsible for the implementation of WIPO’s strategic goal concerning the balanced evolution of the international normative framework for intellectual property (IP) in the area of copyright and related rights, and for providing assistance to Member States in drafting and updating their national copyright and related rights legislation. The Copyright and Creatives Industries Sector is also one of the key areas of WIPO delivering projects in the field of IP & Sports.
The overall objective of the Project aims to support participating African countries in using IP as a tool for economic and social development in the sports sector. By strengthening the sports industry’s capacities, raising awareness and developing resources for strategic IP management, the project will contribute to building a more resilient and vibrant sports ecosystem. This Project seeks to strengthen the capacity of beneficiary countries to use IP rights strategically within the sports sector in order to protect and enhance the value of sports assets. Through tailored training and resource development, the project will enable stakeholders – including IP offices, national authorities, athletes, national sports federations, sports clubs, youth associations, sponsors, organizers, enterprises, especially SMEs, and the broadcasters involved – to apply IP tools effectively. This will help increase the economic and social benefits derived from sports activities by improving protection, encouraging investment and promoting innovation.
The project duration is 24 months, and it will be implemented in Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya, Morocco and Senegal.
(b) Reporting Lines
The Fellow will work under the supervision of the Project managers of the Strengthening Sports Development through Intellectual Property (IP) in African Countries.
2. Duties and responsibilities
The Fellow will contribute to the implementation of the DA Project on Strengthening Sports Development through Intellectual Property (IP) in African Countries . In particular, the Fellow will perform the following principal duties:
(a) assist in coordinating and collaborating with the various stakeholders in the beneficiary countries;
(b) based on input received from the national project implementation teams, assist in the development of national briefs, assessing legal systems, services and infrastructures with regard to IP and Sport for the implementation of the Project;
(c) undertake research in the area of IP and Sport with a focus on copyright and related rights, IP and Sport and management and development of local creative industries;
(d) assist in the development of country-level project plans;
(e) identify experts and consultants for studies, compilations of potential enhancements, technical guidelines, training and capacity-building activities and awareness-raising materials;
(f) liaise with those experts and consultants, support them in developing the project deliverables and review submitted drafts;
(g) assist in the drafting of the necessary terms of reference for the project deliverables and facilitate all related administrative arrangements;
(h) organize virtual and in-person consultation meetings with Governmental representatives and stakeholders in the beneficiary countries;
(i) assist in the planning and implementation of capacity-building activities and the development of training materials;
(j) draft periodic reports, participate in meetings, and take meeting notes to facilitate the work of the Project Manager;
(k) conduct regular assessments and evaluations to ensure continuous improvement and submit regular progress reports on the undertaken activities, outlining project success and challenges; and
(l) perform other related duties as required.
3. Requirements
**** Education (Essential)****
First-level university degree in law or related areas.
**** Education (Desirable)****
**** ****Advanced university degree with a specialization in intellectual property or sport-related management.
**** ****
**** Experience (Essential)****
At least two (2) years of relevant work experience in the area of IP law or in the sport industry.
Proven experience in project management, coordination and communication skills.
Experience (Desirable)
Experience in supporting training programs and/or capacity building.
Experience with development assistance.
Demonstrated experience in written and oral communication, as well as presentations.
Experience in supporting documentation and use of project management and meeting tools.
**** ****
**** Languages (Essential)****
Excellent knowledge of French (written and spoken).
Excellent knowledge of English (written and spoken).
**** Languages (Desirable)****
Good working knowledge of other official UN languages.
**** ****
**** Job-related competencies (Essential)****
Knowledge of current sports’ topics connected to copyright and related rights.
Excellent research and drafting skills.
Excellent analytical drafting skills.
Excellent communication skills with the ability to convey complex legal and policy concepts clearly in written and oral form, for different audiences.
Strong planning and organizational skills with the ability to work independently, quickly and accurately under pressure and to respect deadlines.
Team spirit and ease in working in a multicultural environment.
Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to maintain effective partnerships and working relations in a multicultural environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, the Internet and Zoom, and the ability to adapt quickly to new systems and software.
Sound judgment and integrity.
4. Organizational competencies
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Communicating effectively.
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Showing team spirit.
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Demonstrating integrity.
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Valuing diversity.
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Producing results.
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Showing service orientation.
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Seeing the big picture.
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Seeking change and innovation.
9. Developing yourself and others.
5. Terms and conditions
a) Term of fellowship: A fellowship may be granted for a period of up to 12 months. Subject to project needs and availability of funds, it may be possible for the contract to be extended for an additional 12-month term.
b) Anticipated Start Date: July 1, 2026.
c) Location: WIPO Headquarters, Geneva, Switzerland.
d) Stipend: 6,000 CHF monthly.
e) Travel expenses: WIPO shall contribute towards the cost of the fellow’s travel on engagement and separation from service. If necessary, WIPO may provide assistance in obtaining an entry visa to Switzerland.
f) WIPO contributes to the medical insurance and provides accident insurance coverage during the course of the
fellowship.
g) WIPO will request a “carte de legitimation” for the Fellow, which serves as a residence and work permit, from the Permanent Mission of Switzerland to the United Nations Office and to the other international organizations in Geneva. Family members of the Fellow are not eligible for a “carte de legitimation.”
h) Tax and social security: Fellows shall be solely responsible for meeting any taxation and social security obligations that may arise directly or indirectly from their contract with WIPO.
Additional information
WIPO values diversity among its personnel and is committed to equal employment opportunities. We welcome
applications from qualified candidates from unrepresented Member States of WIPO, and from underrepresented
geographical regions and groups, including people with disabilities. If candidates need any accommodation to participate in the recruitment process, they should contact their HR focal point when they receive an invitation.
Fellows are not staff members of WIPO, and the position does not lead to any employment rights and entitlements beyond the terms of the fellowship.
The Fellowship will take place in Geneva, Switzerland and it cannot be carried out remotely.
By completing an application, candidates understand that any willful misrepresentation made on this web site, or on any other documents submitted to WIPO during the application, may result in disqualification from the recruitment process, or termination of employment with WIPO at a later date, if that employment resulted from such willful misrepresentations.
In the event that your candidature is shortlisted, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of
an identification and of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WIPO only considers
higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education
Database(WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link: http://www.whed.net/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and these will be reviewed individually.
Additional testing/interviewing may be used as a form of screening. Initial appointment is subject to satisfactory
professional references. Additional background checks may be required.