Composite Indicator Research Section, Department for Economics and Data Analytics, IP and Innovation Ecosystems Sector Contract Duration - 2 years *
Duty Station: CH-Geneva
Application Deadline: 05-Aug-2026, 11:59:00 PM CET
1. Organizational Context a. Organizational Setting
The position is located in the Composite Indicator Research Section (CIRS) of the Department for Economics and Data Analytics (DEDA). This WIPO department studies how intellectual property (IP), innovation and intangible assets drive economic growth, and uses data science to map global innovation trends and technology diffusion. As part of this work, CIRS delivers flagship products such as the Global Innovation Index (GII) and supports the development and use of composite and other innovation indicators to advance innovation measurement. Published annually, the GII evaluates nearly 140 economies using around 80 indicators and identifies the world’s top innovation clusters. It is a core function that supports WIPO Member States by providing high‑quality data and economic insights to inform evidence‑based policymaking aimed at strengthening innovation ecosystems and IP policies and practices. Over 80% of WIPO Member States use the GII to monitor performance, strengthen innovation metrics, and shape national policy.
b. Purpose Statement
The Senior Economist (Data Science), reporting to the head of section, drives the Global Innovation Index (GII) as a strategic platform, strengthening global innovation measurement, benchmarking, and policy by providing Member States - across nearly 140 economies - with a credible and comparable basis for innovation decision‑making. Through the production and continuous development of the GII and its components, the role transforms data into actionable insights that enable governments to enhance innovation indicators, innovation performance and policy.
c. Work Relations
The incumbent closely collaborates with other DEDA and IES sections and cooperates with national government agencies, national and international statistical bodies, and other inter‑governmental organizations with a view to improving IP and innovation ecosystems and coordinating the various WIPO IES and other services on offer to this effect.
2. Duties and Responsibilities
a. Maximize the quality of GII World Innovation Cluster and Innovation Economy Rankings : Manage the full process of GII data collection and audit, coordinating across data providers, building new data partnerships and enforcing robust quality controls to deliver the report reliably and on time, the foundation of the credible, comparable rankings that governments act on. Lead the analysis and author chapters of the GII, and provide substantive inputs to its other components, turning complex data into clear findings that policymakers, business and the media act on.
b. Building the GII infrastructure of the future leveraging technology and AI : Enhance the availability, accuracy and strategic use of innovation data by conceptualizing and overseeing a modern GII data infrastructure - leveraging automation, advanced AI tools and robust data management processes - to strengthen data quality, improve the performance and reliability of measurement systems, and enable the continuous development of timely and credible innovation indicators.
c. Innovation measurement framework and methodology : Contribute to the conceptual frameworks and methods underlying innovation indicators, defining the measurement scope, indicator selection and analysis, including via the GII Innovation Ecosystems & Data Explorer and its GII Economy and GII Innovation Cluster Profiles, so the GII measures what matters for policy and stays methodologically sound. Conduct research to guide new approaches aimed at closing gaps in measuring innovation and creativity, with a special focus on the development of big and micro‑data, and the production of scalable, comparable, high‑quality indicators to enhance global innovation benchmarking, inform decision‑making, and strengthen the organization’s leadership in innovation and IP measurement and policy.
e. Contribution to growth : Share insights with other areas of the organization to support evidence based policy‑making, and in conjunction with the WIPO News and Media Division, shape the messaging and dissemination of the GII results to maximize their impact across regions and the media, build strategic partnerships, and actively promote accession to WIPO treaties and greater use of WIPO Global IP Services, including PCT, Madrid and the Hague.
f. Perform other related duties as required.
3. Requirements Advanced university degree in economics, data science, statistics, or related fields with developed quantitative and analytical skills in economics and/or data science. A first‑level university degree plus two years of relevant professional experience in addition to the required experience mentioned below may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree. PhD in economics, data science, statistics, or related fields.
Experience (Essential) At least seven years of professional experience in the field of economics and data analytics, the production and development of data and in providing advice on measurement and policy.
Experience in indicator development, advanced data analytics, statistical methodologies and classifications, advanced database management, AI, and managing teams of internal and external data scientists and data providers.
Experience with external cloud management systems and relational databases (e.g. MariaDB, SQL).
Experience in working in an international setting, including interacting with high‑level stakeholders, data providers, and academics.
Experience with innovation economics, innovation indicators and innovation policy.
Experience in advising senior policy makers on improving innovation ecosystems and metrics.
Excellent written and spoken knowledge of English.
Good knowledge of one or more other UN official languages, in particular Spanish.
Job Related Competencies (Essential) Advanced knowledge of specialized software and information technology tools for data science, database management, and coding (in particular R and possibly Python) in the context of the production of composite indicators.
Excellent analytical, organizational, drafting and project management skills.
Good command of data visualization tools.
Ability to handle heavy workloads and to manage related prioritization.
Ability to supervise and guide economists, data analysts and manage teams.
Ability to coordinate database and IT requirements with external and internal solutions and suppliers.
Demonstrated ability to build relationships with senior stakeholders internally and externally and influence decision‑making through the credible and effective use of data and best practices.
Ability to maintain effective partnerships, when collaborating with public and private third‑party data providers and working relations in a multicultural environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
Ability to apply advanced AI tools, including to foster advanced data collection, auditing and indicator creation.
Job Related Competencies (Desirable) Good understanding of the economics of innovation, the analysis of innovation ecosystems and related policy options.
Advanced knowledge of state‑of‑the‑art approaches for the measurement of innovation.
Familiarity with measuring creativity and creative outputs.
1. Communicating effectively.
2. Showing team spirit.
3. Demonstrating integrity.
5. Producing results.
6. Showing service orientation.
7. Seeing the big picture.
8. Seeking change and innovation.
9. Developing yourself and others.
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Duty Station: CH-Geneva
Application Deadline: 05-Aug-2026, 11:59:00 PM CET
1. Organizational Context a. Organizational Setting
The position is located in the Composite Indicator Research Section (CIRS) of the Department for Economics and Data Analytics (DEDA). This WIPO department studies how intellectual property (IP), innovation and intangible assets drive economic growth, and uses data science to map global innovation trends and technology diffusion. As part of this work, CIRS delivers flagship products such as the Global Innovation Index (GII) and supports the development and use of composite and other innovation indicators to advance innovation measurement. Published annually, the GII evaluates nearly 140 economies using around 80 indicators and identifies the world’s top innovation clusters. It is a core function that supports WIPO Member States by providing high‑quality data and economic insights to inform evidence‑based policymaking aimed at strengthening innovation ecosystems and IP policies and practices. Over 80% of WIPO Member States use the GII to monitor performance, strengthen innovation metrics, and shape national policy.
b. Purpose Statement
The Senior Economist (Data Science), reporting to the head of section, drives the Global Innovation Index (GII) as a strategic platform, strengthening global innovation measurement, benchmarking, and policy by providing Member States - across nearly 140 economies - with a credible and comparable basis for innovation decision‑making. Through the production and continuous development of the GII and its components, the role transforms data into actionable insights that enable governments to enhance innovation indicators, innovation performance and policy.
c. Work Relations
The incumbent closely collaborates with other DEDA and IES sections and cooperates with national government agencies, national and international statistical bodies, and other inter‑governmental organizations with a view to improving IP and innovation ecosystems and coordinating the various WIPO IES and other services on offer to this effect.
2. Duties and Responsibilities
a. Maximize the quality of GII World Innovation Cluster and Innovation Economy Rankings : Manage the full process of GII data collection and audit, coordinating across data providers, building new data partnerships and enforcing robust quality controls to deliver the report reliably and on time, the foundation of the credible, comparable rankings that governments act on. Lead the analysis and author chapters of the GII, and provide substantive inputs to its other components, turning complex data into clear findings that policymakers, business and the media act on.
b. Building the GII infrastructure of the future leveraging technology and AI : Enhance the availability, accuracy and strategic use of innovation data by conceptualizing and overseeing a modern GII data infrastructure - leveraging automation, advanced AI tools and robust data management processes - to strengthen data quality, improve the performance and reliability of measurement systems, and enable the continuous development of timely and credible innovation indicators.
c. Innovation measurement framework and methodology : Contribute to the conceptual frameworks and methods underlying innovation indicators, defining the measurement scope, indicator selection and analysis, including via the GII Innovation Ecosystems & Data Explorer and its GII Economy and GII Innovation Cluster Profiles, so the GII measures what matters for policy and stays methodologically sound. Conduct research to guide new approaches aimed at closing gaps in measuring innovation and creativity, with a special focus on the development of big and micro‑data, and the production of scalable, comparable, high‑quality indicators to enhance global innovation benchmarking, inform decision‑making, and strengthen the organization’s leadership in innovation and IP measurement and policy.
e. Contribution to growth : Share insights with other areas of the organization to support evidence based policy‑making, and in conjunction with the WIPO News and Media Division, shape the messaging and dissemination of the GII results to maximize their impact across regions and the media, build strategic partnerships, and actively promote accession to WIPO treaties and greater use of WIPO Global IP Services, including PCT, Madrid and the Hague.
f. Perform other related duties as required.
3. Requirements Advanced university degree in economics, data science, statistics, or related fields with developed quantitative and analytical skills in economics and/or data science. A first‑level university degree plus two years of relevant professional experience in addition to the required experience mentioned below may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree. PhD in economics, data science, statistics, or related fields.
Experience (Essential) At least seven years of professional experience in the field of economics and data analytics, the production and development of data and in providing advice on measurement and policy.
Experience in indicator development, advanced data analytics, statistical methodologies and classifications, advanced database management, AI, and managing teams of internal and external data scientists and data providers.
Experience with external cloud management systems and relational databases (e.g. MariaDB, SQL).
Experience in working in an international setting, including interacting with high‑level stakeholders, data providers, and academics.
Experience with innovation economics, innovation indicators and innovation policy.
Experience in advising senior policy makers on improving innovation ecosystems and metrics.
Excellent written and spoken knowledge of English.
Good knowledge of one or more other UN official languages, in particular Spanish.
Job Related Competencies (Essential) Advanced knowledge of specialized software and information technology tools for data science, database management, and coding (in particular R and possibly Python) in the context of the production of composite indicators.
Excellent analytical, organizational, drafting and project management skills.
Good command of data visualization tools.
Ability to handle heavy workloads and to manage related prioritization.
Ability to supervise and guide economists, data analysts and manage teams.
Ability to coordinate database and IT requirements with external and internal solutions and suppliers.
Demonstrated ability to build relationships with senior stakeholders internally and externally and influence decision‑making through the credible and effective use of data and best practices.
Ability to maintain effective partnerships, when collaborating with public and private third‑party data providers and working relations in a multicultural environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
Ability to apply advanced AI tools, including to foster advanced data collection, auditing and indicator creation.
Job Related Competencies (Desirable) Good understanding of the economics of innovation, the analysis of innovation ecosystems and related policy options.
Advanced knowledge of state‑of‑the‑art approaches for the measurement of innovation.
Familiarity with measuring creativity and creative outputs.
1. Communicating effectively.
2. Showing team spirit.
3. Demonstrating integrity.
5. Producing results.
6. Showing service orientation.
7. Seeing the big picture.
8. Seeking change and innovation.
9. Developing yourself and others.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Senior Economist (Data Science) - 26202-FT Arbeitgeber: World Intellectual Property Organization – WIPO
Als Arbeitgeber bietet die AIMS Finance and Supply Chain Management Team in Genf eine dynamische und unterstützende Arbeitsumgebung, die auf kontinuierliche Entwicklung und Innovation ausgerichtet ist. Mitarbeiter profitieren von umfangreichen Wachstums- und Weiterbildungsmöglichkeiten sowie einer positiven Unternehmenskultur, die Teamarbeit und Engagement fördert. Die Lage in Genf ermöglicht zudem einen internationalen Austausch und Zugang zu einem vielfältigen Netzwerk von Fachleuten.
Kontaktdaten:
World Intellectual Property Organization – WIPO Recruiting-Team
