Team Head, PCT Client Service (three posts), Geneva, Switzerland

World Intellectual Property Organization; Genf; Vor Ort; CHF 98.000 - 135.000; Vollzeit

Zusammenfassung

World Intellectual Property Organization in Geneva seeks a Team Head of PCT Client Service to organize and lead a dedicated team across PCT Operations to ensure high-quality, timely service for international patent applications. The role reports to the Head of the PCT Operations Service 1 and interacts with multiple units within the sector.

The incumbent will direct client advisory activities, coordinate training, and manage staff performance while fostering a collaborative, client-focused

Qualifikationen

• Seven years of relevant experience, including IP office exposure.
• Experience supervising a large team.
• Experience in formalities examination of patent applications.
• Customer service and training experience.
• Experience with customer experience management.
• Excellent written and spoken knowledge of English and at least one PCT publication language.
• Knowledge of additional PCT publication languages.

Aufgaben

• Lead, plan and control the team's work with priorities and resources to ensure timely, quality delivery.
• Lead client advising activities and manage communications with clients.
• Organize and perform training activities for target clients and align team with client needs.
• Advise team members on complex issues and develop training plans for staff.
• Manage staff including conflict prevention and absence management; evaluate team members.
• Coordinate with PCT Services and other divisions to enhance collaboration with users and authorities.
• Provide routine reports on team performance and maintain professional relations with service users.

Kenntnisse

Team leadership

Customer service

Communication

Training

Conflict management

Project coordination

Ausbildung

Master's degree or equivalent

Tools

MS Office

Data management

Jobbeschreibung

Job Description - Team Head, PCT Client Service (three posts) (26109-FT)

Team Head, PCT Client Service (three posts) - 26109-FT

PCT Client Service Teams 5, 6 and 9, PCT Operations Service 1, PCT Operations Division, PCT Services Department, Patents and Technology Sector

Grade - P4

Contract Duration - 2 years *

Duty Station

: CH-Geneva

Publication Date

31-Aug-2026

Application Deadline

30-Sep-2026, 9:59:00 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

a. Organizational Setting

The post is located in the PCT Client Service Teams 5, 6 and 9, PCT Operations Service 1, 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 for delivering high-quality customer services to PCT users in all 10 official PCT publication languages.

b. Purpose Statement

The incumbent as Team Head of a PCT Client Service Team is required to organize and manage the team's activities relating to the administration and smooth functioning of the PCT Operations, ensuring high standards of quality, quantity and timeliness for the service delivery of international patent applications.

c. Reporting Lines

The incumbent works under the supervision of the Head of the PCT Operations Service 1.

d. Work Relations

The incumbent reports to the Head of the Service and works closely with all Team Heads and Coordinators, as well as with staff of other Divisions within the Sector.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. a. Lead, plan and control the team's work, determining priorities and allocating resources for the completion and timely and quality delivery of work products in accordance with results-based management principles as well as key performance indicators.
2. b. Lead the client advising activities of Principle Client Advisor, Client Advisors and Assistant Client Advisors, and develop and manage the communication activities with the clients.
3. c. Organize and perform training activities for the target clients and align teamwork with the clients' needs and set up a client focused work atmosphere.
4. d. Assist and advise the team members on the handling of complex and contentious issues. Develop and coordinate training plans for staff.
5. e. Manage the staff of the team, including in the areas of conflict prevention and absence management. Supervise all team members and evaluate the work of Principle Client Advisor, Client Advisors & Examiners, and Assistant Client Advisors & Assistant Examiners.
6. f. Cooperate closely with the Service Heads of the PCT Operations Division to foster contacts and enhance collaboration with PCT Users and authorities on operational matters.
7. g. Liaise and coordinate with work units in the Sector in the execution of the tasks. Provide routine reports and periodic summaries to the Service Heads on the performance of the team and individual level.
8. h. Promote and facilitate a harmonious and motivated working environment in which all team members can perform their professional responsibilities in an efficient and effective manner.
9. i. Participate in and/or provide training at seminars and information meetings. Participate in missions when required.
10. j. Perform other related duties as required.

Requirements

Advanced university degree. A first-level university degree plus two years of relevant professional experience in addition to the years of experience mentioned below may be acceptable in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Experience (Essential)

• At least seven years of relevant experience, three of which in an IP office or comparable working environment.
• Experience in supervising a large team.
• Experience in formalities examination of patent applications.
• Experience working in providing customer service and training.
• Experience with customer experience management.
• Excellent written and spoken knowledge of English and at least one of the following PCT publication languages: Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian or Spanish, in accordance with business needs.
• Knowledge of other PCT publication languages.

Job Related Competencies (Essential)

• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent time management and work organization skills and ability to deal with conflicting priorities.
• Ability to lead and motivate a team. Ability to manage conflict.
• Ability to develop professional relations with service users outside the Office and staff at all levels.
• Good IT skills for data management and data search.
• Integrity in dealing with confidential and sensitive data.
• Highly adaptable to changing environments, tasks and demands.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to maintain effective partnerships and working relations in a multicultural environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.

Job Related Competencies (Desirable)

• Knowledge of the business and administrative procedures of a national or regional IP institution.
• 1. Communicating effectively.
• 2. Showing team spirit.
• 3. Demonstrating integrity.
• 5. Producing results.
• 6. Showing service orientation. (Note: keep as original with bullet numbering)
• 7. Seeing the big picture.
• 8. Seeking change and innovation.
• 9. Developing yourself and others.

5. Information

Mobility: WIPO staff members are international civil servants subject to the authority of the Director General and may be assigned to any activities, office or duty station of the Organization. Accordingly, the selected candidate may be required to move from time to time to new functions and/or to another duty station.

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 August 2026 rate of 84.3%

P4

$77,326

Post adjustment

$65,186

$142,512

Currency USD

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

* Initial period of two years, renewable, subject to satisfactory performance. No fixed-term appointment or any extension hereof shall carry with it any expectancy of, nor imply any right to, (further) extensions or conversion to a permanent appointment.

This vacancy announcement may be used to fill other posts at the same grade with similar functions in accordance with Staff Rule 4.9.5.

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