Benefits of Working at WIPO
WIPO strives to be an employer of choice by providing competitive conditions of service, a fulfilling work environment, opportunities for professional growth, and a positive life-work integration for its employees.
Below, you will find details of the key benefits offered at WIPO. Please note that benefits may vary based on contract category and level.
- Contract - Embark on your WIPO career with a fixed-term or temporary contract.
- Salary – Compensation is based on the local salary scale of Geneva, Switzerland. To help you estimate your potential earnings, you may find it useful to consult the salary estimation tool provided by our colleagues at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). However, please note that this tool is maintained by UNDP for their internal purposes, and the results may differ from the actual amounts you would receive from WIPO.
- Holidays - In addition to having 10 days of official holidays per year, as part of our commitment to positive work environment, employees enjoy a generous annual leave allowance of 30 days per year full-time. For part-time employees, this is pro-rated.
- Health Insurance - You will be covered by WIPO’s collective medical insurance, and benefit from organizational subsidy on the premium for you and your eligible family members, ensuring your well-being and peace of mind. From routine visits to specialized treatments, our insurance plan is designed to support you and your family's health needs – even beyond retirement for those who serve the Organization long enough.
- Pension - As a staff member, you will participate in the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund. This offers financial security during your retirement years, ensuring you can enjoy a comfortable lifestyle after years of dedicated service. WIPO's contribution to your pension fund is twice your contribution amount, providing you with a solid foundation for your future. For more information, visit the UN Joint Staff Pension Fund website.
- Dependency Allowance - WIPO offers non-pensionable allowances to support you, your dependent spouse and dependent children. These allowances are just one way we strive to provide comprehensive support to our team members.
- Education Levy – As a locally recruited staff member you are eligible for the reimbursement of 75 per cent of the education levy applied by the Canton of Geneva and the Canton of Vaud for each dependent child, where applicable.
- Parental Leave - You have access to parental leave, allowing you valuable time off to care for your newborn or newly adopted child. If you are the birth parent, you are entitled to up to 26 weeks of leave with full pay, while the other parent can take up to 16 weeks of leave with full pay. WIPO also offers a preferential fee for a private daycare located in the immediate vicinity of WIPO’s Headquarters in Geneva.
- Learning and development - Joining WIPO opens a world of opportunities for professional growth and development. We value the talent and expertise of our employees and strive to provide avenues for mobility, knowledge sharing and continuous learning.
- Language allowance – As a staff member in the General Service category, you are entitled to a language allowance if you pass an examination in one or two of the following languages other than your mother tongue and the language in which you are required to be proficient by the terms of your appointment : Arabic, Chinese, English, French, German, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish.
- Contract - Embark on your WIPO career with a fixed-term or temporary contract.
- Salary – Compensation comprises a base salary and a post-adjustment element. The post-adjustment element varies depending on the cost of living in the country where the job is located, ensuring equitable living standards across different locations. For detailed information about base salary scales and the post adjustment, please visit the International Civil Service Commission website. To help you estimate your potential earnings, you may find it useful to consult the salary estimation tool provided by our colleagues at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). However, please note that this tool is maintained by UNDP for their internal purposes, and the results may differ from the actual amounts you would receive from WIPO.
- Holidays - In addition to having 10 days of official holidays per year, as part of our commitment to positive work environment, employees enjoy a generous annual leave allowance of 30 days per year full-time. For part-time employees, this is pro-rated.
- Health Insurance - You will be covered by WIPO’s collective medical insurance, and benefit from organizational subsidy on the premium for you and your eligible family members, ensuring your well-being and peace of mind. From routine visits to specialized treatments, our insurance plan is designed to support you and your family's health needs – even beyond retirement for those who serve the Organization long enough.
- Pension - As a staff member, you will participate in the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund. This offers financial security during your retirement years, ensuring you can enjoy a comfortable lifestyle after years of dedicated service. WIPO's contribution to your pension fund is twice your contribution amount, providing you with a solid foundation for your future. For more information, visit the UN Joint Staff Pension Fund website.
- Dependency Allowance - WIPO offers non-pensionable allowances to support you, your dependent spouse and dependent children. These allowances are just one way we strive to provide comprehensive support to our team members.
- Education Grant - As an expatriate staff member on a fixed term appointment, you can get an education grant or reimbursement covering up to 86% of tuition fees and other expenses for your children's education until university.
- Relocation Assistance – If you need to relocate to take up your new position at WIPO, you and your family will receive assistance with relocation expenses, including travel to the duty station, a settling-in grant, and support for shipping your personal effects.
- Rental Subsidy – For those who need to relocate to take up the job at WIPO on a fixed-term appointment, we offer financial assistance to help cover a portion of rental expenses, supporting your housing needs and ensuring a comfortable living situation.
- Home Leave – If you have to live and reside outside of your home country in the service of WIPO on a fixed-term appointment, you will be able to to travel back to your home with your eligible family members once every two years, at WIPO’s expense, so that you keep your national, family and cultural ties strong.
- Parental Leave - You have access to parental leave, allowing you valuable time off to care for your newborn or newly adopted child. If you are the birth parent, you are entitled to up to 26 weeks of leave with full pay, while the other parent can take up to 16 weeks of leave with full pay. WIPO also offers a preferential fee for a private daycare located in the immediate vicinity of WIPO’s Headquarters in Geneva.
- Learning and development - Joining WIPO opens a world of opportunities for professional growth and development. We value the talent and expertise of our employees and strive to provide avenues for mobility, knowledge sharing and continuous learning.
As a National Professional Officer (NPO), your benefits and entitlements are in accordance with local standards. This includes your salary, holidays, and allowances tailored to your circumstances.
- Contract – Your contract duration is up to 12 months.
- Stipend – Interns based in Geneva receive a stipend of 1,645 or 2,170 Swiss francs per month, determined by your education level. The monthly stipend is intended to cover the cost of accommodation, board and local transportation.
- Holidays - In addition to having 10 days of official holidays per year, as part of our commitment to a positive work environment, you will get 2.5 days of annual leave and 2 days of sick leave for each month of your internship.
- Health Insurance – WIPO will provide comprehensive medical and professional accident insurance coverage and pay the full insurance premium.
- Relocation Assistance – Interns who are nationals of developing, least developed or transition countries and who are residing in their home country at the time of recruitment can receive up to 1500 Swiss Francs to cover roundtrip travel costs by the most economical route. If necessary, WIPO assists with obtaining an entry visa to Switzerland.
- Learning and development – As an intern you will have access to a variety of opportunities for professional growth and development. You can participate in different internal training programs offered by our Academy.
- Contract – Your contract duration is up to 12 months, with the possibility of renewal for a total of up to three years.
- Stipend – WIPO will provide a stipend ranging from 3,000 to 8,000 Swiss francs per month depending on your education, experience, and the specific fellowship category.
- Holidays – In addition to having 10 days of official holidays per year, as part of our commitment to work-life balance, you will get 2.5 days of annual leave and 2 days of sick leave for each month of your fellowship.
- Health Insurance – WIPO will provide you with a comprehensive medical and professional accident insurance coverage. WIPO will pay 100% (contract of less than 12 months) or 75% (contract of 12 months, or extended to cover 12 months or more) of the medical insurance premium and 100% of the professional accident insurance premium.
- Relocation Assistance – WIPO will cover travel expenses at the start and end of your fellowship. If necessary, WIPO assists with obtaining an entry visa to Switzerland.
- Learning and development – As a Fellow, you will have access to a variety of opportunities for professional growth and development. You can participate in different internal training programs offered by our Academy, and you will be eligible for up to six study leave days per year. Additionally, WIPO will bear the cost of UN official languages training, if these are required by your job duties.
- Contract – Your contract duration is up to 2 years.
- Stipend – WIPO will provide a stipend of 5,000 Swiss francs per month.
- Holidays - In addition to having 10 days of official holidays per year, as part of our commitment to work-life balance, you will accrue 2.5 days of annual leave and 2 days of sick leave for each month of service.
- Health Insurance – WIPO will provide you with a comprehensive medical and professional accident insurance coverage. WIPO will pay 75% of the medical insurance premium and 100% of the professional accident insurance premium..
- Relocation Assistance – We will cover travel expenses at the start and end of the program. If necessary, WIPO provides assistance in obtaining an entry visa to Switzerland.
- Learning and development – As a Young Expert, you will have access to a variety of opportunities for professional growth and development. You can participate in different internal training programs offered by our Academy, and you will be eligible for up to 6 study leave days per year. Additionally, WIPO will bear the cost of UN official languages training, subject to your supervisor’s approval.
- Contract – We have a diverse range of contractual arrangements, spanning from short-term engagements lasting just a few days to framework agreements of up to five years where WIPO can call upon your services for work. In any case, the ICS services are limited to the equivalent of two years full time work.
- Compensation – Depending on the nature and duration of the assignment, compensation may be provided as a fixed price payable based on deliverables or on an agreed time/rate basis.
- Note – An ICS agreement is not a staff contract and is not governed by WIPO Staff Regulations and Rules. It is an independent contractor’s agreement. You are not entitled to payment for holiday and sick leave, medical insurance, or staff pension benefits.
At WIPO, we understand the importance of achieving a positive integration between life and work. That is why we offer flexible work options. This includes a compressed work schedule, part-time employment, staggered working hours, or teleworking.