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
The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) leads the development of a balanced and effective global intellectual property ecosystem to promote innovation and creativity for a better and more sustainable future. It is unique as a UN organization in that it is almost entirely financed by fees (> 95 percent) from private sector entities in exchange for global IP services. This unique financial structure also exposes WIPO to a unique set of risks that stem from uncertainty and volatility in the global economic and financial environment.
WIPO is also mandated to shape the future of the global IP system, mainstream the understanding of IP across a wide range of stakeholders and communities and to support governments enterprises and communities to use IP as a tool for economic growth and
development.
WIPO’s mandate and its reliance on income generated from fees for our services drive the active pursuit for effectiveness and efficiency across our business models. WIPO applies a fully results-based management approach to planning, budgeting and implementation, with risk management being fully integrated with performance management.
b. Purpose Statement
The Chief Financial and Performance Officer (CFPO) & Controller provides strategic executive leadership and financial stewardship for WIPO’s planning, performance, risk management, and financial operations. The incumbent ensures the Organization’s long-term financial sustainability and leads the continued development and structured tracking of its results-based management framework, investment management, customer experience for fee-paying customers and corporate controlling functions. The CFPO & Controller drives customer-centric operations and digital/ERP transformation to strengthen organizational performance, agility, and value creation across WIPO’s fee-for-service business models.
Working in close partnership with the registries responsible for filing and revenue growth, the role provides the financial oversight, structured tracking, accountability, and evidence-based decision-making that enable WIPO's fee-based income to be managed sustainably. By fully integrating planning, budgeting, risk management, and finance, and by systematically monitoring results against organizational targets, the position provides strategic leadership and drives operational excellence across these functions.
c. Reporting Lines
The incumbent reports to the Assistant Director General for the Corporate Management and Transformation Sector.
d. Work Relations
The CFPO & Controller serves as a key facilitator of the dialogue with oversight bodies (External Auditor, Independent Advisory Oversight Committee, Internal Oversight Division), and Member States, and represents WIPO in UN-wide networks. Internally, the incumbent collaborates across all Sectors, including an essential partnership with the Human Resources Management Department, to align organizational resource planning and drive results-based management. The CFPO partners closely with the Global IP Services and the Chief Economist for financial planning and forecasting.
2. Duties and Responsibilities
The incumbent will perform the following principal duties:
a. Strategic Financial Leadership & Controlling: Serve as the Financial Controller and as the principal advisor to the Director General, Assistant Director General for the Corporate Management and Transformation Sector, and senior management on financial sustainability, organizational performance, strategic investments, resource allocation, strategic cost management and enterprise risks. Enable WIPO’s long-term growth strategy, advocate for prudent financial management, ensure cost efficiencies, and drive the growth and sustainability of the Organization's financial assets. Ensure that the Financial Regulations and Rules are fit for purpose and aligned to business needs. Serve as the executive owner of WIPO's second line under the Three Lines model, providing integrated oversight of risk management, internal controls, compliance and management assurance.
b. Strategic Planning & Results-Based Management (RBM): Facilitate the medium-term and biennial planning processes, driving organizational effectiveness and performance through Results-Based Management, a sharper focus on outcomes, continuous review of business models, and effective risk management.
c. Customer-Centric Business Transformation: Transform the department into a consistently customer-centric operation focused on value creation for the internal and the external customer. Collaborate closely with global IP services to drive and implement strategies that modernize and enhance service delivery for WIPO’s fee-paying external customers.
d. Member State Dialogue & Governance, Risk and Oversight: Function as the Secretary to the Program and Budget Committee (PBC), facilitating critical dialogue with Member States on all finance and management matters. Lead strategic engagement with audit and oversight bodies (External Auditors and IAOC) to provide assurance on internal controls and risk management. Engage with the Internal Oversight Division and other second line functions to strengthen anti-fraud awareness and governance.
e. Digital & ERP Transformation: Serve as co-executive owner of WIPO's ERP transformation together with the HR director, ensuring the program remains business-owned and value-driven, and delivered in close collaboration with the CIO, and other partners within the project board and governance structures, driving coherent planning and deployment of new functionalities. Ensure the ERP provides a modern digital backbone and trusted data foundation for the Organization. Champion the integration of Artificial Intelligence and advanced analytics, both through the ERP's embedded capabilities and through complementary solutions that leverage its data to strengthen cross-cutting planning, budgeting, and financial management processes.
f. Strategic Partnerships & Income Diversification: Build and enhance strategic alliances across WIPO and with external stakeholders promoting synergies that drive organizational change. In partnership with service owners, support strategies to safeguard, improve and diversify WIPO's income.
g. Leadership & Organizational Development: Lead and empower a high-performing and diverse Department. Set clear directions and delegate with trust, developing and mentoring staff to grow their capabilities and reach their potential. Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration and innovation across the Organization, strengthening financial literacy, performance management and risk awareness. Develop organizational capabilities through talent management, succession planning and learning, while promoting an inclusive and ethical workplace that supports transformation and service excellence.
h. Global Representation & UN Inter-Agency Coordination: Represent WIPO in high-level international meetings and negotiations regarding strategic planning and financial management. Promote WIPO’s policies and actively develop and share best practices within the UN common system.
i. Perform other job-related duties as required.
Education (Essential)
Advanced university degree in strategic planning, finance, accounting, business administration, economics, or related area. A first-level degree with two years of relevant experience in addition to the essential experience requested below may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.
Education (Desirable)
Professional Certification: An internationally recognized professional accounting qualification (e.g., CPA, CA, ACCA, CMA, or equivalent).
Experience (Essential)
At least 15 years of progressively responsible executive leadership experience including leading and developing large, diverse teams, and integrating some or all of the following subjects: finance, budget, enterprise performance, governance, risk management, strategic planning.
Significant experience in large, complex international, such as multinational corporations, international or public-sector institutions, or other similarly sophisticated environments.
Extensive experience in financial planning and management, budgeting, performance management, organizational transformation, and digital modernization.
Demonstrated experience establishing and maturing enterprise risk management, internal control, and assurance frameworks.
Leadership in driving organizational change, including in areas such as ERP modernizations, process redesign, Data Analytics, or AI integration, to maximize business agility.
Track record of embedding result frameworks (such as OKRs, KPIs or Balanced scorecards) that successfully align long-term strategy with operational budgets, resource allocation and concrete performance metrics.
Proven experience engaging with governing bodies, audit committees, and oversight bodies.
Experience (Desirable)
Experience overseeing the financial management of fee-for-service, commercial, or revenue-generating operations.
Language (Essential)
Excellent oral and written English.
Language (Desirable)
Knowledge of other official UN languages, in particular French.
Job Related Competencies (Essential)
Executive Leadership & Change Management: Proven ability to drive organizational change, champion customer-centric service models, and foster a collaborative, results-based / outcomes-driven performance culture across cross-functional teams.
Financial, Risk & Governance Expertise: Extensive expertise in corporate finance, executive oversight of some or all of the following areas: asset and investment strategies, enterprise performance and risk management, governance frameworks, internal controls, management assurance, and financial reporting under recognized public-sector or international accounting standards (e.g., IPSAS, IFRS).
Stakeholder Engagement & Influence: Exceptional ability to build partnerships, communicate persuasively, negotiate effectively, and influence outcomes across a diverse range of stakeholders, including senior leadership, oversight bodies, Member States/ Shareholders, and external partners.
Digital Transformation: Forward-looking understanding of how emerging technologies (such as AI and advanced analytics) can be leveraged to optimize financial planning and budget execution.
Executive Judgment & Integrity: Exceptional analytical and strategic problem-solving skills, grounded in unquestionable integrity and sound executive judgment in high-stakes decision-making.
Leadership & Organizational Development: Proven ability to lead at a senior level by building, empowering, and trusting high-performing teams, delegating effectively, and coaching and developing talent. Fosters collaboration, accountability, and organizational capability through a collaborative leadership style that develops people and promotes a respectful, inclusive, ethical, and performance-oriented culture.
Job Related Competencies (Desirable)
Ecosystem Knowledge: Demonstrated understanding of the United Nations system's financial frameworks and working environment, alongside a broad comprehension of WIPO's mandate, its global stakeholders, and the intellectual property landscape.
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.
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 July 2026 rate of 84.7%
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 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.
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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.
