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Legal Counsel and Director of Training and Assistance

Geneva

  • Organization: WIPO - World Intellectual Property Organization
  • Location: Geneva
  • Grade: Senior Executive level - D-1, Director - Internationally recruited position
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Operations and Administrations
    • Legal - Broad
    • Legal - International Law
    • Education, Learning and Training
    • Patent and Intellectual property
  • Closing Date: Closed

 

 

 

 

 

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING APPLICATION DEADLINE\:  please note that the deadline for applications is indicated in local date and time.

 

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 acts as Legal Counsel, directs the organization of the governing bodies of UPOV and directs and organizes the implementation of the UPOV training and assistance strategy. 

 

c.  Reporting Lines

The incumbent works under the supervision of the Vice Secretary-General.

 

d.  Work Relations

The incumbent interacts with all senior colleagues within the Office of the Union and with a wide range of senior staff in the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).  The incumbent also regularly interacts with high-level 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)        Organizing and providing analysis and comments on laws/accession related matters in a timely manner, including the supervision of relevant professional staff, as appropriate.

 

(b)        Directing the organization of the Council, Consultative Committee, Administrative and Legal Committee (CAJ) sessions by relevant staff in accordance with the agreed program and, if appropriate, Diplomatic Conferences.

 

(c)        Directing the UPOV training and assistance strategy in accordance with the available staff and financial resources, including\: monitoring and providing advice to the Vice Secretary-General on the design and implementation of the strategy;  overseeing the organization of the distance learning courses; maintaining and developing partnership with WIPO and relevant entities for training and assistance;  and working with members of the Union and relevant organizations to increase the number of plant variety protection-related programs and courses that reflect the requirements of the UPOV Convention.

 

(d)        Representing UPOV in international meetings and consultations and providing lectures, training and assistance to States and international organizations on legal matters referred to above and, in particular, in the development of legislation in accordance with the UPOV Convention.

 

(e)        Advising the Vice Secretary-General on the strategy for the development of guidance materials and achieving the desired outcomes.

 

(f)        Preparation of documents and reports for, sessions and meetings of legal and institutional nature convened by UPOV and, if need be, for Diplomatic Conferences. 

 

(g)        Advising in relation to\: international, administrative and constitutional matters concerning UPOV (e.g. agreements and contracts entered by UPOV;  UPOV observers;  rules of procedure; authorizations);  the legal status of UPOV, its privileges and immunities and those of its staff;  matters governed by the Headquarters Agreement between UPOV and the Swiss Federal Council.

 

(h)        Exercises strategic asset management, deploys and allocates resources into value-added activities and initiatives in accordance with results-based management principles and framework as well as key performance indicators.  Ensures that key risks are identified, assessed and managed for the provision of high quality and timely work products and services.

 

(i)         Performing other related duties, as required.

 

 

3.         Requirements

 

Education

Essential

Advanced university degree in law (Master's degree or equivalent degree) and, in particular,  a thorough knowledge of international public and private law, constitutional, administrative and intellectual property law.

 

Experience

Essential

At least 15 years of progressively responsible professional experience in the UPOV Convention and plant breeders' rights' law in an international organization, of which at least 10 years' experience in providing training and assistance in the implementation of the UPOV Convention.

 

Extensive knowledge of the legal status, practices and procedures of intergovernmental organizations.

 

Desirable

Legal experience of other intellectual property rights organization in an international organization.

 

Languages

Essential

Excellent knowledge of at least three of the four languages of UPOV (English, French, German and Spanish).

 

Desirable

Knowledge of the other language would be an advantage.

 

Job-related competencies

Essential

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.

 

Excellent analytical, problem-solving, organization and drafting skills.

 

Competent user of Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) and the Internet.

 

 

4.         Organizational competencies

 

1.  Communicating effectively.

2.  Respecting individual and cultural differences.

3.  Showing team spirit.

4.  Managing yourself.

5.  Producing results.

6.  Embracing change.

7.  Respecting ethics and values.

 

Managerial Competencies

 

1. Creating a stimulating work environment.

2. Planning and managing resources.

3. Promoting change, innovation and learning.

4. Building and promoting partnerships.

5. Leading WIPO/UPOV to the future.

 

 

 

5.         Information

 

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.  The post adjustment (cost of living allowance) is variable and subject to change without notice in accordance with the rates as set within the UN Common System for salaries and allowances.  The figures quoted below are based on the August 2017 rate of 77.5%

 

 

D1

 

 

Annual salary

      $96,865

 

Post adjustment

      $75,070

 

Total Salary

      $171,935

 

Currency USD

 

 

         

 

 

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

 

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) assists UPOV (the Organization) in recruitment procedures.

 

This vacancy announcement is also available in Spanish and German in the UPOV website (www.upov.int).

 

Candidates are invited to apply through WIPO’s online recruitment system.

 

Initial period of two years, renewable, subject to satisfactory performance.  No fixed-term appointment or any extension hereof shall carry with it any expectancy of, nor imply any right to, (further) extensions or conversion to a permanent appointment.

 

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.

 

___________________________________________________________________

 

By completing an application, candidates understand that any willful misrepresentation made on this web site, or on any other documents submitted to the Organization during the application, may result in disqualification from the recruitment process, or termination of employment with the Organization 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 an identification and of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. The Organization only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link\: http\://www.whed.net/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and these will be reviewed individually.

 

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.

 

This vacancy is now closed.
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