| Description: |
BACKGROUND
With technical assistance from the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) the Government of Namibia is undertaking steps to develop a national intellectual property (IP) policy. The process was launched in 2015 by WIPO in collaboration with the Namibian Ministry of Trade, Industry and SME Development and the Business and Intellectual Property Agency (BIPA).
The first phase involved an IP audit and needs assessment conducted with the objective of assessing the situation of IP in the country in terms of use of the IP system as well as IP generation and administration in the country. Recommendations made based on the IP audit and needs assessment report were captured in an IP development Plan detailing specific actions, projects and activities to be explored to enable the country make use of the tools of the IP system to attain tis economic development goals.
The second phase will involve the development of an IP policy and strategy to provide the comprehensive IP rights governance framework for the country. The Government of Namibia has requested WIPO assistance in this exercise and in this regard, it is proposed that WIPO engage the services of Mr. Getachew Mengistie Alemu, who was the lead consultant in the IP audit and needs assessment phase of the project, on an ICS Contract to undertake the assignment from January to February 2017. He will be required to draft and design the content of the Namibia IP Policy and Strategy (NIPPS) based on the WIPO methodology which involves inter alia, a comprehensive desk research on relevant policy documents of the country as well as consultations with relevant stakeholders, including the National IP Policy Coordination Team as provided in the attached Terms of Reference.
Following the preparation of the draft NIPPS, it is proposed that WIPO facilitate the organization of a stakeholder forum for presentation and validation of the NIPPS. |