WIPO Indigenous Fellowship Program
Deadline : October 7, 2016
Location : WIPO Headquarters, Geneva
One year Fellowship (2017), renewable for one further year (2018)
CALL FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST
The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) seeks expressions of interest from suitably
qualified indigenous individuals for the WIPO Indigenous Fellowship.
THE BACKGROUND: WHY AN INDIGENOUS FELLOWSHIP?
The law and practice of intellectual property is of increasing interest to indigenous peoples,
stemming from concerns that indigenous cultural heritage and knowledge systems should be
recognized and protected in conformity with the needs, expectations and customary practices of
their custodians.
The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, adopted by the
United Nations General Assembly in 2007, provides that indigenous peoples “have the right to
maintain, control, protect and develop their intellectual property over cultural heritage, traditional
knowledge, and traditional cultural expressions”. The WIPO Intergovernmental Committee on
Intellectual Property and Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Folklore (the IGC) is
undertaking negotiations with the view to developing an international legal instrument(s) that
ensure(s) the effective protection of traditional knowledge, traditional cultural expressions and
genetic resources.
The WIPO Indigenous Fellowship builds on a series of initiatives to ensure that indigenous peoples
are actively and effectively involved in the work of WIPO on issues that matter to them. It
recognizes, and seeks to foster, the strong legal expertise that exists within indigenous peoples,
and offers a professional opportunity to an indigenous person to work within the WIPO Secretariat.
The Indigenous Fellow will work in WIPO’s Traditional Knowledge Division and be involved in a
program of work that is directly relevant to issues of concern to indigenous peoples, including the
IGC process, WIPO’s outreach to indigenous peoples and local communities, WIPO’s capacity
building activities, and WIPO’s cooperation with the United Nations Permanent Forum on
Indigenous Issues, the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the Special
Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
The Fellowship Program was approved by WIPO Member States in December 2008 and started in
August 2009.
THE ROLE: WHAT WILL THE INDIGENOUS FELLOW DO?
The Fellow will work under the supervision of the Director of the Traditional Knowledge Division of
WIPO, or his delegate, to:
1. assist in the conceptualization, development, organization and undertaking of outreach,
awareness-raising and capacity-building activities with indigenous peoples and local communities
related to intellectual property and genetic resources, traditional knowledge and traditional cultural
expressions;
2. contribute to and participate in the Secretariat of the IGC and related meetings, with a
particular emphasis on the facilities and mechanisms that ensure representation and participation
of indigenous peoples and local communities in the IGC process;
3. assist in planning and undertaking WIPO’s activities relevant to the UN Permanent Forum on
Indigenous Issues, the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the Special
Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples;
4. carry out relevant research and draft and prepare WIPO documents, WIPO publications and
other relevant outreach and awareness-raising materials; and,
5. perform such other tasks that may be required in the context of the work of the Division.
The Indigenous Fellow will not be expected to work as an independent scholar, advisor or analyst,
but will operate, on a full-time basis, within the WIPO Secretariat and will directly participate in the
delivery of core program outputs.
THE REQUIREMENTS: WHAT QUALIFICATIONS ARE NEEDED?
The Indigenous Fellow is expected to meet the following requirements:
• Be a recognized and active member of an indigenous community;
• Have proven experience in indigenous outreach and in participation in indigenous
organizations and networks, including in an international context;
• Hold legal qualifications, or equivalent in practical experience and community work,
preferably with specific components related to intellectual property law;
• Show ability to work effectively in English; the ability to work fluently and prepare
documents suitable for publication in at least one other UN languages (Arabic, Chinese,
French, Russian or Spanish) would be an advantage.
Having a record of relevant publications (general awareness-raising, formal legal analysis or
scholarly publications) would be an asset.
The Indigenous Fellow will be selected on the basis of a demonstrated capacity to contribute
directly to the approved program outputs established in the WIPO Program and Budget.
The Fellow will need to be available to commence the Fellowship in Geneva in the course of
January 2017.
THE CONDITIONS: WHAT DOES THE FELLOWSHIP SCHEME PROVIDE FOR?
Term of fellowship: One year, renewable for one further year only.
Travel expenses and a monthly stipend are payable; details are available on request.
This is not a regular employment position within the WIPO Secretariat, and it does not lead to
employment rights and entitlements beyond the terms of this fellowship.
EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST: HOW DO I REGISTER MY INTEREST?
Expressions of interest, formulated through a brief statement by the candidate addressing each of
the requirements set out above, accompanied only by a full curriculum vitae (résumé), should be
sent to:
Traditional Knowledge Division
World Intellectual Property Organization
34 chemin des Colombettes,
1211 Geneva 20,
Switzerland
or by email (grtkf@wipo.int)
or by fax (+41 22 338 8120)
before close of business (6:00 p.m. Geneva time) on Friday October 7, 2016
Expressions of interest should not include any other attachments or enclosures (such as
copies of publications and other materials).
Only short-listed applicants will be contacted. Short-listed candidates may be interviewed and/or
invited to complete a written assignment as part of the selection process.
For More Information
WIPO Indigenous Fellowship Program
Location : WIPO Headquarters, Geneva
One year Fellowship (2017), renewable for one further year (2018)
CALL FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST
The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) seeks expressions of interest from suitably
qualified indigenous individuals for the WIPO Indigenous Fellowship.
THE BACKGROUND: WHY AN INDIGENOUS FELLOWSHIP?
The law and practice of intellectual property is of increasing interest to indigenous peoples,
stemming from concerns that indigenous cultural heritage and knowledge systems should be
recognized and protected in conformity with the needs, expectations and customary practices of
their custodians.
The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, adopted by the
United Nations General Assembly in 2007, provides that indigenous peoples “have the right to
maintain, control, protect and develop their intellectual property over cultural heritage, traditional
knowledge, and traditional cultural expressions”. The WIPO Intergovernmental Committee on
Intellectual Property and Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Folklore (the IGC) is
undertaking negotiations with the view to developing an international legal instrument(s) that
ensure(s) the effective protection of traditional knowledge, traditional cultural expressions and
genetic resources.
The WIPO Indigenous Fellowship builds on a series of initiatives to ensure that indigenous peoples
are actively and effectively involved in the work of WIPO on issues that matter to them. It
recognizes, and seeks to foster, the strong legal expertise that exists within indigenous peoples,
and offers a professional opportunity to an indigenous person to work within the WIPO Secretariat.
The Indigenous Fellow will work in WIPO’s Traditional Knowledge Division and be involved in a
program of work that is directly relevant to issues of concern to indigenous peoples, including the
IGC process, WIPO’s outreach to indigenous peoples and local communities, WIPO’s capacity
building activities, and WIPO’s cooperation with the United Nations Permanent Forum on
Indigenous Issues, the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the Special
Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
The Fellowship Program was approved by WIPO Member States in December 2008 and started in
August 2009.
THE ROLE: WHAT WILL THE INDIGENOUS FELLOW DO?
The Fellow will work under the supervision of the Director of the Traditional Knowledge Division of
WIPO, or his delegate, to:
1. assist in the conceptualization, development, organization and undertaking of outreach,
awareness-raising and capacity-building activities with indigenous peoples and local communities
related to intellectual property and genetic resources, traditional knowledge and traditional cultural
expressions;
2. contribute to and participate in the Secretariat of the IGC and related meetings, with a
particular emphasis on the facilities and mechanisms that ensure representation and participation
of indigenous peoples and local communities in the IGC process;
3. assist in planning and undertaking WIPO’s activities relevant to the UN Permanent Forum on
Indigenous Issues, the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the Special
Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples;
4. carry out relevant research and draft and prepare WIPO documents, WIPO publications and
other relevant outreach and awareness-raising materials; and,
5. perform such other tasks that may be required in the context of the work of the Division.
The Indigenous Fellow will not be expected to work as an independent scholar, advisor or analyst,
but will operate, on a full-time basis, within the WIPO Secretariat and will directly participate in the
delivery of core program outputs.
THE REQUIREMENTS: WHAT QUALIFICATIONS ARE NEEDED?
The Indigenous Fellow is expected to meet the following requirements:
• Be a recognized and active member of an indigenous community;
• Have proven experience in indigenous outreach and in participation in indigenous
organizations and networks, including in an international context;
• Hold legal qualifications, or equivalent in practical experience and community work,
preferably with specific components related to intellectual property law;
• Show ability to work effectively in English; the ability to work fluently and prepare
documents suitable for publication in at least one other UN languages (Arabic, Chinese,
French, Russian or Spanish) would be an advantage.
Having a record of relevant publications (general awareness-raising, formal legal analysis or
scholarly publications) would be an asset.
The Indigenous Fellow will be selected on the basis of a demonstrated capacity to contribute
directly to the approved program outputs established in the WIPO Program and Budget.
The Fellow will need to be available to commence the Fellowship in Geneva in the course of
January 2017.
THE CONDITIONS: WHAT DOES THE FELLOWSHIP SCHEME PROVIDE FOR?
Term of fellowship: One year, renewable for one further year only.
Travel expenses and a monthly stipend are payable; details are available on request.
This is not a regular employment position within the WIPO Secretariat, and it does not lead to
employment rights and entitlements beyond the terms of this fellowship.
EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST: HOW DO I REGISTER MY INTEREST?
Expressions of interest, formulated through a brief statement by the candidate addressing each of
the requirements set out above, accompanied only by a full curriculum vitae (résumé), should be
sent to:
Traditional Knowledge Division
World Intellectual Property Organization
34 chemin des Colombettes,
1211 Geneva 20,
Switzerland
or by email (grtkf@wipo.int)
or by fax (+41 22 338 8120)
before close of business (6:00 p.m. Geneva time) on Friday October 7, 2016
Expressions of interest should not include any other attachments or enclosures (such as
copies of publications and other materials).
Only short-listed applicants will be contacted. Short-listed candidates may be interviewed and/or
invited to complete a written assignment as part of the selection process.
For More Information
WIPO Indigenous Fellowship Program
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