Architecture and Technology Division, Information and Communication Technology Department, Administration, Finance and Management Sector
IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING APPLICATION DEADLINE: please note that the deadline for applications is indicated in local time as per the time zone of the applicant’s location.
This post is a limited-term fixed-term post.
1. Organizational Context
a. Organizational Setting
The post is located in the Architecture and Technology Division, Information and Communication Technology Department, Administration and Management Sector.
The Architecture & Technology Division (ATD) delivers governance, capabilities, support and services to implement WIPO's MTSP, and defines the IT enterprise and solution architecture vision and roadmap. Through its Centers of Competence, it supplies IT products and projects with specialized Design capabilities, while also defining standards and best practices. The Division is responsible for designing, implementing, and managing relevant IT platforms and infrastructure, and empowers WIPO staff and resources to execute their business objectives efficiently and collaboratively by designing and servicing the Digital Workplace.
Our goal is to be a reliable and accessible partner to the organization that provides modern, easy-to-use, and secure digital building blocks to generate value, acting as a partner and enabler.
b. Purpose Statement
A Cloud Centre of Competence (CCoC) is a pivotal entity within IT, dedicated to driving cloud adoption, best practices, and governance. The CCoC is responsible for establishing cloud strategies, policies, and frameworks that align with business objectives. It ensures efficient cloud architecture, cost management, and security compliance.
The role of a Cloud Solution Architect within a Cloud Centre of Excellence is integral to the successful adoption and optimization of cloud technologies within the organization. This position requires a blend of technical expertise and collaborative skills to drive innovation and achieve objectives. By supporting the design, implementation, and governance of cloud solutions, the Cloud Solution Architect ensures that the organization leverages the full potential of the cloud.
c. Reporting Lines
The incumbent works under the supervision of the CCoC Lead.
d. Work Relations
The incumbent works regularly with other staff of the Information and Communication Technology Department and the Security and Information Assurance Division. The incumbent will also work with a variety of application development teams across the Organization.
2. Duties and Responsibilities
The incumbent will perform the following principal duties:
a. Develop and maintain the organization's cloud architecture, ensuring it aligns with business goals, security requirements, and performance standards.
b. Select and design scalable, resilient cloud solutions while ensuring compliance with security, regulatory, and governance frameworks.
c. Advise and support senior architects and leadership on cloud strategy and roadmap development, assessing infrastructure and recommending cloud adoption phases.
d. Define and implement cloud governance policies, ensuring best practices in cost optimization, resource management, and security protocols.
e. Act as a liaison between cross-functional teams (IT, security, development, and business units), ensuring alignment between business needs and technical solutions.
Evaluate and recommend emerging cloud services and tools to enhance performance, innovation, and security in the organization's cloud environment.
f. Provide technical guidance and training to stakeholders, fostering cloud knowledge across teams.
g. Implement cost optimization strategies, analyzing usage trends and proposing efficiency improvements.
h. Perform other related duties as required.
Education (Essential)
First-level university degree in Computer Science or another Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) discipline.
AWS Solution Architect Certification: Associate.
Education (Desirable)
AWS Solution Architect Certification: Professional.
ITIL certification.
Experience (Essential)
At least six years of experience as a Solutions Architect, with at least three years in design and implementation of scalable, distributed cloud applications.
Proven AWS Cloud architecting experience, including refactoring or re-platforming applications for migration to AWS cloud, leveraging PaaS and FaaS.
Experience designing cloud-native applications and working with Containers and Microservices.
Experience in setting up and managing complex cloud landscapes making use of the tools below. Hands-on experience required.
- IaC tools such as AWS CloudFormation or Terraform.
- Container orchestration tools such as OpenShift and Kubernetes.
- DevOps toolchain such as Jira/GitHub/Jenkins/Liquibase.
- Automation tools like Chef/Puppet/Ansible.
Experience (Desirable)
Application development background.
Microsoft Azure experience or certification.
Working experience in the context of an international organization.
Language (Essential)
Excellent written and spoken knowledge of English.
Language (Desirable)
Knowledge of other UN official languages, particularly French.
Job Related Competencies (Essential)
Excellent analytical and problem solving skills.
Ability to clearly articulate and communicate design and implementation choices.
Excellent document production skills: high-level and low-level solution design documents, architecture diagrams.
Familiarity with a broad range of technologies supplemented by in-depth knowledge in specific areas of relevance.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and ability to maintain effective partnerships and working relations in a multi-cultural environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
4. Organizational Competencies
1. Communicating effectively.
2. Showing team spirit.
3. Demonstrating integrity.
4. Valuing diversity.
5. Producing results.
6. Showing service orientation.
7. Seeing the big picture.
8. Seeking change and innovation.
9. Developing yourself and others.
Mobility: WIPO staff members are international civil servants subject to the authority of the Director General and may be assigned to any activities, office or duty station of the Organization. Accordingly, the selected candidate may be required to move from time to time to new functions and/or to another duty station.
Annual salary:
Total annual salary consists of a net annual salary (net of taxes and before medical insurance and pension fund deductions) in US dollars and a post adjustment. Please note that this estimate is for information only. The post adjustment multiplier (cost of living allowance) is variable and subject to change (increase or decrease) without notice. The figures quoted below are based on the July 2025 rate of 90.7%
Salaries and allowances are paid in Swiss francs at the official rate of exchange of the United Nations.
Please refer to WIPO’s Staff Regulation and Rules for detailed information concerning salaries, benefits and allowances.
Additional Information
- Initial fixed-term appointment of two years, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and other applicable conditions. The selected candidate’s appointment will be subject to an overall term of five years in this position, with normally no possibility of renewal beyond that term. S/he may, however, apply and be considered for other positions at WIPO.
This is not applicable to WIPO staff members on fixed-term, continuing or permanent appointments, who were recruited following a competition under Staff Regulation 4.10 (“Appointment Boards”).
This vacancy announcement may be used to fill other posts at the same grade with similar functions in accordance with Staff Rule 4.9.5.
The Organization reserves the right to make an appointment at a grade lower than that advertised.
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By completing an application, candidates understand that any willful misrepresentation made on this web site, or on any other documents submitted to WIPO during the application, may result in disqualification from the recruitment process, or termination of employment with WIPO at a later date, if that employment resulted from such willful misrepresentations.
In the event that your candidature is shortlisted, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of your identification and the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WIPO recognizes higher educational qualifications obtained from institutions accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list maintained by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed here: http://www.whed.net/. Some higher educational qualifications may not be listed in WHED, and will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Additional testing/interviewing may be used as a form of screening. Initial appointment is subject to satisfactory professional references.
Additional background checks may be required.