Call for WIPO Indigenous Fellowship Program

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) is calling for Expression of Interest for its Indigenous Fellowship Program. 

The program was launched in 2009. It is part of WIPO’s series initiatives seeking to involve indigenous people in the work carried out by the organization with the goal, inter alia, of fostering legal expertise and skills within indigenous people on matters that are relevant to them. 

Requirements 

An applicant must be an active member of an indigenous community, hold a university degree or equivalent education, have experience in indigenous matters and organizations, and be able to work in English. 

As well, relevant publications and a capability in Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish, are advantages. 

The Program 

The fellowship will take place at WIPO’s Traditional Knowledge Division in Geneva. The program starts on 1 June 2020 and is for a one-year period that is renewable for an additional year. Travel expenses and a monthly stipend will be covered. 

A fellow in the program will participate in relevant activities related to indigenous matters within WIPO’s Division framework, such as: 

• Contributing and participating in the Secretariat of the Intergovernmental Committee on Intellectual Property and Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Folklore (the IGC) and related meetings. 
• Assisting in undertaking activities related to 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. 
• Researching and drafting WIPO documents for raising public awareness. 

Expression of Interest along with a CV must be sent to grtkf@wipo.int, by post or fax, before Sunday 23 February 2020, midnight (Geneva time). More information here. 

Credit: WIPO’s picture, available here.