IT Officer

 

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

 

 

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 IT Officer for UPOV and is responsible for the design, implementation, maintenance and effective performance of UPOV's web-based applications and databases.

 

 

c.     Reporting Lines

 

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

 

 

d.     Work Relations

 

The incumbent interacts with all 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 persons in States, intergovernmental organizations and service providers in their work.

 

 

 

The incumbent will perform the following principal duties\:

 

a.   Manage, maintain and take action to improve performance of UPOV's web-based applications and databases, including the PRISMA PBR Application Tool, TG Template, GENIE database, PLUTO database.

 

b.   Analyze business and technical requirements, identify the need for new systems, conduct feasibility studies including integration with existing systems and technology, undertake systems and cost analyses, and prepare specifications for UPOV's web-based applications and databases in accordance with best practices in software engineering.

 

c.   Lead and manage software development projects to deliver web-based applications and databases by liaising with business users, WIPO staff (particularly including ICT and Finance staff), and external companies providing software development services, providing technical guidance to others involved in these activities, ensuring the resolution of problems to meet deadlines, and by following established project management and software development lifecycle methodologies.

 

d.   Provide leadership and act as UPOV focal point for all IT-related matters, including Organizational Resilience and Business Continuity, WIPO and ICC services.

 

e.   Prepare and maintain PVP-XML based on the “Design Rules and Conventions” and XML Schema of WIPO Standard ST. 96.

 

f.    Keep up-to-date with, and determine the need for, the latest technologies and methodologies for delivering and maintaining web-based applications and databases; provide expertise and leadership on technological changes for the Organization, and propose strategies and plans for introducing changes, including overseeing implementation.

 

g.   Prepare technical and user documentation for systems and applications, training materials and technical presentations, and conduct training sessions.

 

h.   Represent UPOV and participate in international conferences, meetings and seminars/workshops on topics related to UPOV's work; prepare and present reports.

 

i.    Perform other job-related duties as required.

 

 

 

Education

Essential

Advanced university degree in information systems covering knowledge management and web technologies.

Project management certification (PRINCE2, PMP or equivalent).

 

Desirable

A PhD in a relevant discipline.

 

 

Experience

Essential

At least nine years of experience in software engineering, including extensive experience in managing the development of web-based software applications, reporting tools and databases.

Experience with\: international standard elaboration; XML design and implementation; data architecture; business analysis; relational database design and development; and website design and implementation, preferably in the field of intellectual property.

Significant experience in project management, particularly in managing out-sourced projects and project teams.

 

Desirable

Knowledge of IT systems, software applications, reporting tools and databases used in WIPO and UPOV.

Experience in teaching.

 

 

Language

Essential

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

 

Desirable

Knowledge of other UN official languages.

 

 

Job Related Competencies

Essential

Excellent analytical, organizational and communication skills.

Ability to work under multicultural environment with technical, legal and operational staff at different levels.

Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to maintain effective partnerships and working relations in a multicultural environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.

 

 

 

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. 

 

 

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 February 2018 rate of 81.6%

 

P4
Annual salary	$70,647
Post adjustment	$57,648
Total Salary	$128,295
Currency USD

 

 

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.