The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is inviting applications for its Accelerator Labs - Intellectual Property Models for Sustainable Development. The objective of work is to provide institutional support to build capacities of the Accelerator Labs Network to understand and manage issues concerning intellectual property in its day to day work.

This will include also support in developing adequate models within its solutions mapping protocols, which balance appropriate intellectual property framework that permits IPR protection with the need to promote open innovation system.

The work is expected to find and propose a suitable proxy, as there is no existing UN practice that could be a solid basis for UNDP. The offeror will do qualitative research, with the Accelerator Labs Global Team facilitating interviews with internal stakeholders Lab members, management in Country Offices, and relevant units in Headquarters, including but not limited to the Legal Office, the Bureau for External Relations and Advocacy, and the Bureau for Policy and Program Support.

Objectives

• Specific objectives include:
  • Better understand and research how the UNDP approaches intellectual property and use intelligence and data - through analyzing a selected IP ecosystem - to demonstrate a need to reimagine processes and frameworks.
  • Explore both creative commons / open-source frameworks and direct licensing (assets owned by an individual/entity and licensed for particular reasons). This can include understanding music libraries (open source) and direct licensing (synchronization).
  • Research new innovative policy frameworks and approaches to IP - using a particular creative industry as a case study - that can be applied both in policy and on the ground.
  • Demonstrate a new model to support bottom-up innovation and creativity across the UN Accelerator Labs Portfolio.
• And, in support of these objectives:
  • Collaborating with the Accelerator Labs and their specific needs to find, support and potentially help monetize intellectual property;
  • Deliver new data and insight that investigate the systems governing intellectual property within UNDP.
  • Develop case studies to explore new models to manage intellectual property.

Funding Information

• Proposals amounts should range from a minimum of USD 60,000.00 to a maximum of USD. 75,000.00 (bidder’s premises, home-based).
• The amount requested in the proposal should be commensurate with the organization’s administrative and financial management capabilities. In principle, project duration will not exceed 7 months.

Eligibility Criteria

• CSO/NGO Requirements:
  • The Offeror has access to a global network of recognized professionals, researchers or academics working in the creative industry that they have identified as a proxy, with emphasis on the regulatory and licensing aspects of disseminating works; required.
  • The Offeror, directly or through its principals, must have at least 5 projects that demonstrate the capability to conduct high-level research in line with the Accelerator Lab project’s needs; required.
  • The Offeror, directly or through its principals, must have experience working with creative industries in the context of economic and social development; required.
  • The Offeror, directly or through its principals, should have at least 5 years’ experience working with content creators; required. Experience with content and licensing professionals in the Global South is a significant advantage.
  • The Offeror, directly or through its principals, should have international consulting experience with respect to intellectual property, required. Previous experience working with the United Nations is a significant advantage.
• Personnel Requirements:
  • The bidder must provide a copy of the CVs of the personnel that will be working on this assignment. If CVs are not provided, the bid may be directly disqualified.
  • The personnel should have demonstrated experience in the field of economics, law, intellectual property, participatory research, and licensing/attribution models.
  • Offerors should propose a team of at least 3. An expanded network of resources/researchers who may be used as short term (non-key) experts may be demonstrated through additional CVs, which will not be scored.
  • The team leader of the engagement must demonstrate the following qualifications and experience:
    • Possess an advanced degree (Masters or above) in law, cultural studies, international development, or related field, required.
    • At least 8 years-experience advising clients on intellectual property licensing, with a focus on creative industries (music, publishing, digital content) required.
    • Demonstrated experience working with international development actors (United Nations, International Financial Institutions, Official Development Assistance Agencies) required.
    • Publications in the field of expertise is an advantage.
    • English is required; French or Spanish are an advantage.
• Expert on Intellectual Property
  • A degree in law is required.
  • At least 5 years of professional experience on intellectual property (advisory or litigation) required. Focus on licensing will be an advantage.
  • Demonstrated experience working with licensing and rights-management associations is required.
  • Experience working with international organizations is an advantage
• Research Coordinator
  • At least 2 years of professional experience in a relevant field (law, communications, journalism, cultural studies, public administration, business administration), required.
  • Experience in development of analytical documents and reports through quantitative and/or qualitative research, required.
  • English is required; French or Spanish are an advantage.

For more information, visit UNDP.