Senior Project Architect

Senior Project Architect-25174-FT_LTBuilding Projects Section, Premises Infrastructure, Central Services Division, Administration, Finance and Management SectorGrade-P4Contract Duration-2 years (maximum cumulative length of 5 years)

Duty Station

CH-Geneva

Publication Date

13-Jun-2025

Application Deadline

10-Jul-2025, 5 : 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.

This post is a limited-term fixed-term post.

1. Organizational Context

a. Organizational Setting

The position is located in the Building Projects Section, Central Services Division, Administration, Finance and Management Sector.

The Building Projects Section oversees the renovation and modernization of all buildings on the WIPO campus, which consists of office and conference facilities. In line with WIPO real estate strategy, the program of projects includes major renovation of buildings, as well as workspace modernization and technical infrastructure upgrade projects.

b. Purpose Statement

The Senior Project Architect oversees, defines, and manages activities related to the renovation and modernization of administrative buildings (or parts thereof). This includes responsibility for the full project lifecycle, with stakeholder coordination, from project inception to handover to end-users and facility management. The incumbent will provide architectural and project management services to ensure high-quality, sustainable, and timely and cost-effective implementation of building projects.

c. Reporting Lines

The incumbent will work under the supervision of the Head of the Building Projects Section.

d. Work Relations

The Senior Project Architect will collaborate closely with members of the Premises Management Service and other internal stakeholders such as Security, IT and building end-users. S / he also coordinates extensively with external architects, engineers, consultants, contractors, and, where relevant, local authorities.

2.Duties and Responsibilities

The incumbent will perform the following principal duties :

a. Define, plan, and manage all phases and multidisciplinary activities related to projects for the renovation, transformation, or modernization of buildings, ensuring alignment with project objectives, WIPO standards, sustainability objectives, and user requirements. Project management activities include needs assessment, design coordination, procurement, scheduling and progress monitoring, contract management, construction management and project closure.

b. Conduct feasibility studies, develop architectural concepts, provide architecture drawings and technical specifications, ensuring compliance with relevant norms and building codes.

c. Coordinate the design and implementation phases with internal stakeholders and external architects, engineers and contractors. Review design documents for conformity, completeness and technical coordination. Ensure integration and alignment of various technical aspects (HVAC, fire protection, IT, safety, accessibility, sustainability, etc.). Ensure construction complies with specifications, schedule and safety requirements. Provide technical expertise to solve complex problems related to design or construction activities.

d. Exercise full administrative and financial oversight of assigned projects. Prepare and maintain detailed project estimates, procurement documentation and cost reports. Monitor and control expenditures against approved commitments and project budgets.

e. Monitor and report on the progress, risks and deliverables of assigned projects. Formulate proposals and recommendations to address delays, cost deviations or emerging issues, and promptly escalate significant risks or impacts to relevant internal stakeholders.

f. Oversee logistical operations linked to project implementation, including office relocations, space allocations, and user impact mitigation, in close coordination with relevant WIPO departments.

g. Ensure compliance with internal WIPO procedures and external regulatory standards. Respond to internal and external audit or oversight inquiries on project matters.

h. Perform other related duties as required.

3.Requirements

Advanced university degree (Master or equivalent) in architecture. A first-level university degree in architecture combined with an additional two years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree.

Certification in project management methodologies such as Prince2 or PMP.

Experience (Essential)

At least seven years of relevant professional experience in architecture and project management, with a focus on renovation or modernization of administrative or institutional buildings.

Experience should include leading multidisciplinary project teams and managing construction contracts.

Proven experience with CAD software (e.g., AutoCAD) and project planning tools.

Experience in office modernization projects and construction management in Switzerland.

Familiarity with international or intergovernmental environments is an asset.

Excellent knowledge of French (oral and written) and good working knowledge of English.

Job Related Competencies (Essential)

In-depth knowledge of project management, architectural design and construction principles, practices, and tools.

Strong knowledge of building techniques, core and shell, interior fit-out, and technical installations.

Excellent ability to communicate technical information clearly to both expert and non-expert audiences.

Sound budgeting and financial management skills.

Excellent organizational and time management abilities, with strong problem-solving orientation.

Excellent command of computer-aided drawing tools (Autocad).

Job Related Competencies (Desirable)

Knowledge of SIA norms and other Swiss building standards.

Familiarity with BIM tools and document management systems.

Understanding of business continuity and sustainable building practices.

1.Communicating effectively.

2.Showing team spirit.

3.Demonstrating integrity.

5.Producing results.

6.Showing service orientation.

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.

Annual salary :

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 May 2025 rate of 81 .4 %

77,326

Post adjustment

62,943

140,269

Currency USD

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

Please refer to WIPO’s Staff Regulation and Rules for detailed information concerning salaries, benefits and allowances.

Additional Information

• Initial fixed-term appointment of two years, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and other applicable conditions.The selected candidate’s appointment will be subject to an overall term of five years in this position, with normally no possibility of renewal beyond that term.S / he may, however, apply and be considered for other positions at WIPO.

This is not applicable to WIPO staff members on fixed-term, continuing or permanent appointments, who were recruited following a competition under Staff Regulation 4.10 (“Appointment Boards”).

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.

Applications from qualified women as well as from qualified nationals of unrepresented Member States of WIPO and underrepresented geographical regions are encouraged.Please click on the following links for thelist of unrepresented Member States and thelist of underrepresented regions and the WIPO Member States in these regions.

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

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 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.