Senior Economist; Data Science

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING Final date to receive applications

Please note that the Final date to receive applications is indicated in local time as required by the applicant’s location.

• Organizational Setting – The Senior Economist (Data Science) position is located in the Composite Indicator Research Section (CIRS) of the Department for Economics and Data Analytics (DEDA) S develops the Global Innovation Index (GII) and related indicators to support evidence‑based policy making worldwide.
• Purpose Statement – The role drives the GII, transforming data into actionable insights that enable governments to strengthen innovation performance and policy.
• Work Relations – The incumbent collaborates with other DEDA and IES sections, national agencies, statistical bodies and inter‑governmental organisations to enhance IP and innovation ecosystems.

• Maximise the quality of GII World Innovation Cluster and Innovation Economy Rankings

  Manage the full process of GII data collection, audit, partnership development and quality controls to deliver reliable, timely rankings.

  Lead the analysis and author chapters of the GII, providing substantive inputs and translating complex data into clear findings for policymakers, businesses and the media.

• Build the GII infrastructure of the future using technology and AI

  Conceptualise and oversee a modern GII data infrastructure that leverages automation, advanced AI tools and robust data‑management processes to improve data quality and measurement reliability.

• Develop innovation measurement frameworks and methodology

  Contribute to conceptual frameworks and methods for innovation indicators, defining scope, indicator selection and analysis.

  Conduct research to close gaps in measuring innovation, focusing on big and micro‑data, and produce scalable, comparable, high‑quality indicators.

  Anticipate emerging innovations and develop next‑generation GII indicators across finance, linkages, technology and impact.

• Engage member states

  Provide technical advice on composite indices, promote GII use in low‑ and middle‑income economies, and strengthen national capacities in data analysis and index development.

  Support GII National Task Forces to translate evidence into concrete policy improvements.

• Contribute to growth and outreach

  Collaborate with the WIPO News and Media Division to shape messaging, disseminate results, build strategic partnerships and promote WIPO services.

• Other related duties as required – Perform additional responsibilities as needed.

Advanced university degree in economics, data science, statistics, or related fields, with strong quantitative and analytical skills; alternatively, a first‑level degree plus two years of relevant professional experience.

PhD in economics, data science, statistics, or related fields.

• At least seven years of professional experience in economics and data analytics, including the production and development of data and advisory on measurement and policy.
• Experience in indicator development, advanced analytics, statistical methodologies, database management, AI and leading multidisciplinary data teams.
• Experience with external cloud systems and relational databases such as MariaDB or SQL.
• Experience working in an international environment and interacting with high‑level stakeholders, data providers and academics.

• Experience in innovation economics, policy, and indicators.
• Experience advising senior policymakers on improving innovation ecosystems and metrics.

Excellent written and spoken English.

Good knowledge of one or more other UN official languages, particularly Spanish.

• Advanced knowledge of data‑science software and IT tools, notably R (and possibly Python), for composite‑indicator production.
• Excellent analytical, organisational, drafting and project‑management skills.
• Proficiency in data‑visualisation tools.
• Capacity to handle heavy workloads and prioritise effectively.
• Leadership ability to supervise and guide economists and…