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 position is located in the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV).
In accordance with the UPOV Convention, the main objectives of UPOV are (i) to provide and develop the legal, administrative and technical basis for international cooperation in plant variety protection; (ii) to assist States and organizations in the development of legislation and the implementation of an effective plant variety protection system; and (iii) to enhance public awareness and understanding of the UPOV system of plant variety protection. UPOV's Secretariat is the Office of the Union which carries out all the duties and tasks entrusted by its governing body: the UPOV Council.
b. Purpose Statement
The incumbent provides expert advice on technical matters concerning plant variety protection and UPOV, raises awareness of and helps to promote UPOV and PVP, and assists States and organizations in the Asian region in becoming a UPOV member and in the implementation of an effective plant variety protection system.
c. Reporting Lines
The incumbent works under the supervision of the Vice Secretary-General.
d. Work Relations
The incumbent interacts with the two Directors, the Head of IT and other colleagues within the UPOV Office, and with a wide range of staff in the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). The incumbent also regularly interacts with persons in States, intergovernmental organizations and other international organizations in order to represent UPOV.
2. Duties and Responsibilities
The incumbent will perform the following principal duties:
a. Assist in the analysis and provision of recommendations to the Vice Secretary-General on the introduction and implementation of plant variety protection in accordance with the UPOV Convention, in Asian countries.
b. Oversee the implementation of UPOV's program of assistance in Asian countries; participate in specific courses, seminars and other activities, write technical papers and deliver lectures as required; liaise with government officials, as agreed with the Vice Secretary-General, to provide policy and procedural information on the promotion of plant variety protection; assist in the analysis of laws of prospective members of the Union; and promote UPOV Services, materials, and projects, in particular UPOV e-PVP and its components (UPOV PRISMA, PLUTO Database, Administrative and DUS Report Exchange Modules).
c. Monitor extra-budgetary resources, including Funds-in-Trust, for Asian countries; identify priorities and propose allocation of resources, in agreement with the Vice Secretary-General, for the timely completion and delivery of quality work products in accordance with results- based management principles.
d. Facilitate the efficient management and improvement of the PLUTO Database, UPOV Code System and variety denomination guidance and tools.
e. Represent UPOV at meetings of other organizations, particularly concerning matters related to plant genetic resources.
f. Organize the collection and verification of plant variety protection statistics and information on cooperation and experience in examination within UPOV and contribute to the preparation of relevant documents for UPOV bodies.
g. Assist in the organization of and provide the Secretariat support for selected Technical Working Parties (TWPs) and contribute to the preparation of documents for the Council, Consultative Committee, Administrative and Legal Committee, Technical Committee, TWPs and related working groups.
h. Contribute to knowledge management activities by providing substantive inputs for the development of materials (e.g. publications, videos) that demonstrate the benefits of plant variety protection and UPOV membership.
i. Perform other related duties as required.
3. Requirements
Education
Essential
First level university degree in agricultural science, intellectual property or related discipline.
Experience
Essential
At least six years of international professional experience in agriculture of which at least two have been directly related to agricultural policy, or intellectual property protection or a related discipline. Considerable experience of administration at national or international level.
Desirable
Experience of working with plant variety protection laws and regulations.
Experience of working on plant variety protection policy in the Asian region.
Experience of international negotiations.
Language
Essential
Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English.
Desirable
Knowledge of other languages, particularly Asian languages.
Job Related Competencies
Essential
Excellent planning and organizational skills and ability to adjust to dynamic and client-focused work environment.
Ability to prepare documents and reports with a high level of accuracy.
Sound judgment and capacity to work well with a range of diverse actors and stakeholders. Excellent communication, presentation and interpersonal skills and ability to maintain effective partnerships and working relations in a multi-cultural environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.