Client Advisor

World Intellectual Property Organization; Genf; On-site; CHF 42,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

World Intellectual Property Organization in Geneva seeks a Client Advisor (P2) for the PCT Client Service Team. The 1-year contract role focuses on handling international patent applications and providing high-quality client services in English and Chinese.

The incumbent reports to the Team Head and coordinates with external IP offices. Responsibilities include training, workflow optimization, and participation in PCT system testing and improvements.

Qualifications

• First-level university degree.
• At least three years of relevant professional experience with patents, including in an IP office or comparable working environment.
• Excellent written and spoken knowledge of English and Chinese.

Responsibilities

• Liaise with Intellectual Property Offices to strengthen cooperation and collaboration with WIPO.
• Serve as focal point for small and medium sized clients, analyzing frequent defects, providing proactive advice and dedicated trainings to ensure a high level of customer service.
• Examine formality requirements of international applications, in particular those filed in Chinese, ensuring conformity with set standards and timely follow-up as required.
• Ensure a high level of customer services to users, reply to complex queries and find solutions to problems, including those relating to ePCT.
• Assist in sorting, identifying, prioritizing and distributing work within the team in accordance with established guidelines.
• Carry out publication preparation and review work; ensure publication and republication work assignments are in final format for international publication.

Skills

Client communication

English & Chinese

IT literacy

Time management

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

PCT systems

Data entry systems

Job description

Job Description - Client Advisor (26149-TA)

PCT Client Service Team 2, PCT Operations Service 2, PCT Operations Division, PCT Services Department, Patents and Technology Sector

Grade - P2

Contract Duration - 1 year

Duty Station

CH-Geneva

Publication Date

19-Oct-2026

Application Deadline

02-Nov-2026, 10:59:00 PM

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.

Organizational Context

Organizational Setting

The post is located in the PCT Client Service Team, PCT Operations Service 2, PCT Operations Division, PCT Services Department, Patents and Technology Sector. The PCT Operations Division is responsible for the receipt, formalities examination, publication and communication of applications and related documents filed under the PCT and delivering high-quality customer services to PCT users in all 10 official PCT publication languages.

Purpose Statement

The incumbent is a focal point for small or medium sized clients and provides customer services to applicants and offices and carries out complex processing and examination duties in at least two languages for international patent applications.

Reporting Lines

The incumbent works under the supervision of the Team Head, PCT Client Service Team.

Work Relations

The incumbent liaises frequently with external customers, PCT legal and IT specialists.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Liaise and communicate with Intellectual Property Offices, including the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) and Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS), to strengthen cooperation and collaboration with WIPO.
• Serve as focal point for small and medium sized clients, analyzing frequent defects, providing proactive advice and dedicated trainings to ensure a high level of customer service.
• Examine formality requirements of international applications and related documents and correspondence, in particular those filed in Chinese, ensuring conformity with set standards and timely follow-up as required. In the case of unusual/contentious formalities issues, forward to Team Head for further instruction. Monitor the late and non-payment of fees and take appropriate action (e.g. block application, send reminder).
• Ensure a high level of customer services to users, reply to complex queries and find solutions to problems, including those relating to ePCT, in a timely manner. Liaise with PCT users and authorities and provide follow-up as required.
• Assist in sorting, identifying, prioritizing and distributing work within the team in accordance with established guidelines. Ensure work items are completed within deadlines and make proposals to improve and rationalize workflows and work processes based on quantitative and qualitative targets. Follow up as necessary.
• Carry out publication preparation and review work; ensure publication and republication work assignments are in final format for international publication within established deadlines; and inform Team Head of delays or other issues.
• Participate in testing PCT electronic systems and tools, with a view to proposing improvements and contributing to its further enhancement.
• Participate in presentations on PCT operations practices in missions and meetings. Keep abreast of changes in established procedures, rules, regulations, work processes and relevant IT tools. Train and coach junior and new staff. Provide input on ongoing developments with respect to the PCT system including IT tools and PCT rule changes.
• Perform other related tasks as required.

Requirements

First-level university degree.

Experience (Essential)

At least three years of relevant professional experience with patents, including in an IP office or comparable working environment.

Excellent written and spoken knowledge of English and Chinese.

Job Related Competencies (Essential)

• Demonstrated ability to communicate with people from the technical and business field.
• Excellent understanding of the PCT and ability to explain or provide training on the rules, regulations and procedures governing the area of work.
• Ability to use IT tools and systems used for data capture and transmission, quality control and customer services.
• Client orientation, with the ability to deliver high quality client services with a focus on improving service execution, delivery and outcomes.
• Results-oriented.
• Excellent time management and work organization skills; highly adaptable to new environments, tasks and demands.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills. Integrity in dealing with confidential and sensitive data.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and ability to maintain effective partnerships and working relations in a multicultural environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
• Communicating effectively.
• Showing team spirit.
• Demonstrating integrity.
• Producing results.
• Showing service orientation.
• Seeing the big picture.
• Seeking change and innovation.
• Developing yourself and others.

Information

Total annual salary consists of a net annual salary (net of taxes and before medical insurance and pension fund deductions) in US dollars and a post adjustment. Please note that this estimate is for information only. The post adjustment multiplier (cost of living allowance) is variable and subject to change (increase or decrease) without notice. The figures quoted below are based on the October 2026 rate of 80.3%

P2

$50,377

Post adjustment

$40,453

$90,830

Currency USD

Salaries and allowances are paid in Swiss francs at the official rate of exchange of the United Nations.

Temporary appointments are renewable, subject to continuing needs, availability of budget and satisfactory performance with a maximum cumulative length of two years.

Applications from qualified women as well as from qualified nationals of unrepresented Member States of WIPO and underrepresented geographical regions are encouraged.

The Organization reserves the right to make an appointment at a grade lower than that advertised.

In the event that your candidature is shortlisted, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of your identification and the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WIPO recognizes higher educational qualifications obtained from institutions accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list maintained by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed here: http://www.whed.net/ . Some higher educational qualifications may not be listed in WHED, and will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

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.