Fellowship (WIPO Environmental Sustainability)

1. Organizational context

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 should be awarded for specific activities, which provide the fellows training, within the approved workplan of the employing office.

During the period of the fellowship, the fellow will (a) acquire an extensive knowledge of the drafting and implementation of a UN-type Environmental Management System (EMS), (b) acquire a wide experience working in a multi-cultural environment involving many stakeholders across the Organization, UN Common System as well as the Host Country, (c) develop a professional network in playing an active role in working groups.

Reporting Lines

This fellowship is located in the Central Services Division.

The Fellow shall work under the supervision of the Sustainable Development Engineer in the Building Projects Section.

2. Duties and responsibilities

The Fellow will perform the following principal duties:

(1) Contribute to the implementation of the WIPO Environmental Management System (EMS), on the basis the UN “Greening the Blue” framework and the ISO14000 standard including:

a) Assist in implementing the EMS process and in drafting the EMS documents;

b) Assist with the preparation of documentation, presentations and briefing notes for the Environmental Sustainability Management Group (ESMG);

c) Assist in the ISO14001 certification process and in the implementation of the forthcoming IPSAS Climate-related Disclosure Standard

(2) Contribute to WIPO Staff awareness on Environmental Sustainability, including facilitate Climate Fresk workshops and develop an awareness program for all staff. Organize the sessions, collect and consolidate feedback.

(3) Participate in and/or conduct on-site initiatives to raise staff awareness on Environmental Sustainability matters (e.g. manage bike to Work initiative, bike repair workshop, including planning, implementation, and communication).

(4) As part of WIPO environmental commitments, perform various tasks in the framework of Greening the Blue (UN) and 2050Today (Geneva initiative), such as: assist with the Environmental Inventories; attend working group meetings; update the WIPO webpages on the respective websites; assist with drafting of official communications to both entities, assist with the creation of action plans for various areas as per the 2050Today Charter (Waste, Energy, Mobility, Food, Biodiversity, ICT).

(5) Contribute to the preparation of the WIPO Environmental Responsibility report. Draft communications messages for various external and internal audiences on a variety of environmental topics; liaise with social media & internet/intranet teams to provide content and/or responses to feedback received, in order to increase WIPO’s action visibility in this domain.

3. Requirements

a) Education

Essential: Advanced university degree in environmental and sustainable development matters.

b) Experience

Essential: At least six (6) months of relevant work experience in the field of Climate policy, Environmental policy, Sustainable Environmental Management or related subject preferably in an International Organization, or a Company with a strong focus and engagement on environmental issues.

Desirable: Experience in drafting of sustainability report and various related communication, in facilitating Climate Fresk workshops, and knowledge and/or experience of ISO 14001 certification.

c) Languages:

Essential: Excellent (written and spoken) knowledge of English.

Desirable: Knowledge of any other official UN languages.

d) Specific skills and competencies:

Essential:

• Excellent research and drafting skills.
• Excellent analytical skills.
• Excellent communication skills including graphic and content design and social media.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to maintain effective partnerships and working relations in a multi-cultural environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
• Competent user of Microsoft Office applications, Zoom, and ability to adapt quickly to new systems and software.

Desirable:

• Knowledge of the ISO1400 certification process
• Competences in Climate Fresk workshops facilitation
• Knowledge and/or competences in the field of “Green buildings”

4. Organizational competencies

1. Communicating effectively.

2. Showing team spirit.

3. Demonstrating integrity.

4. Valuing diversity.

5. Producing results.

6. Showing service orientation.

7. Seeing the big picture.

8. Seeking change and innovation.

9. Developing yourself and others.

5. Terms and conditions

• Term of fellowship: A fellowship may be granted for a period of up to 12 months. The contract may be extended one or more times, provided that the maximum cumulative length of the fellowship does not exceed a period of three years.

• Anticipated Start Date: June 16, 2025.

• Location: WIPO Headquarters, Geneva, Switzerland.

• Stipend: CHF 5,000 monthly.

• 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.

• WIPO shall contribute towards the medical insurance coverage and provides accident insurance coverage during the course of the fellowship.

• WIPO will request a “carte de légitimation” 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.”

• 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: 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.

6. Applications process

To be considered for this fellowship opportunity, please send your expression of interest to carbon.neutrality@wipo.int, together with the following documents:

• motivation letter and
• curriculum vitae.

Application deadline:May 22, 2025.

Only those candidates who are shortlisted for a written test/interview (via videoconference) will be contacted, in which case they will be required to provide a scanned copy of their ID card or passport and the specified degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s).

More information about the work undertaken in the context of the WIPO High-Level Policy on Environmental Responsibility is available at the following link