IP Consultant

Job Posting Organization:
UN Women was established in July 2010 as part of the UN reform agenda to enhance the impact of gender equality and women's empowerment initiatives. The organization merges the resources and mandates of four previously distinct parts of the UN system, focusing exclusively on gender equality and women's empowerment. UN Women operates globally, with a mission to eliminate discrimination against women and girls, empower women, and achieve equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action, and peace and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security. The organization has a significant presence in various countries, working on initiatives that promote gender equality, including economic empowerment programs in Malawi.

Job Overview:
The IP Consultant will play a crucial role in developing a robust framework for intellectual property (IP) protection tailored specifically for the training manual and innovations associated with the Malawi Girls Can Code Too (MGCC2) project. This position involves assessing current IP practices, developing comprehensive guidelines for IP protection, conducting training sessions for UN Women staff and stakeholders, and supporting the registration of the training manual and digital innovations. The consultant will work under the guidance of the UN Women Representative and the WEE Programme Specialist, focusing on empowering girls and young women through digital skills development and ensuring that their innovations are protected and can be commercialized effectively. The consultant will also be responsible for raising awareness about the economic potential of IP among participants in the MGCC program, thereby fostering an environment where young innovators can thrive and maximize the benefits of their work.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will undertake several key activities, including:

• Conducting research and analysis on existing literature and practices regarding IP protection in the ICT and digital technology sector, identifying barriers faced by young innovators.
• Developing a tailored IP protection framework for the MGCC training manual, LMS, and innovations, ensuring that these materials are protected before public access.
• Designing and delivering interactive training workshops on types of IP rights, the importance of IP protection, and best practices for commercialization.
• Liaising with legal experts to facilitate the registration of the training manual, LMS, and innovations, providing ongoing support during the registration process.
• Establishing metrics for evaluating the effectiveness of IP practices among participants and preparing a final report detailing accomplishments, challenges, and recommendations for future IP initiatives.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree in Intellectual Property Law, Business Administration, or a related field. Alternatively, a first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. Additionally, candidates should have at least 5 years of experience in IP management, particularly within the technology sector, and familiarity with the challenges faced by young innovators, especially adolescent girls and women. Strong communication and training skills, along with experience in facilitating workshops or seminars, are also essential for this role.

Educational Background:
The position requires a Master’s degree in Intellectual Property Law, Business Administration, or a related field. A first-level university degree may be considered if accompanied by relevant experience, emphasizing the importance of both formal education and practical experience in the field of intellectual property management.

Experience:
The consultant should have a minimum of 5 years of experience in IP management, particularly within the technology sector. This experience should include familiarity with the challenges faced by young innovators, especially those related to gender, as well as a proven track record of conducting training and workshops.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, while proficiency in Chichewa is preferred. This bilingual requirement is essential for effective communication with local stakeholders and participants in the MGCC program.

Additional Notes:
The assignment is expected to last for 3 months, commencing in September 2025 and concluding in December 202

• The consultant will be required to submit a financial proposal detailing all necessary costs, including travel, aligned with a technical proposal and a detailed work plan. UN Women will retain all intellectual property rights for the protected materials, including coding apps, the training manual, the LMS, and innovations developed during the project. The organization emphasizes its commitment to diversity and inclusion, ensuring that recruitment and employment decisions are made based on qualifications and competence, free from discrimination.