Counsellor

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

 

 

 

a.    Organizational Setting

 

The post is located in the Regional Bureau for Africa. The Bureau provides advisory services and manages the capacity building and technical assistance programs of the Organization for developing and least developed countries in the African region through coordination with various sectors within the Organization and/or outsourcing work to external experts.

 

 

b.    Purpose Statement

 

The incumbent is responsible for providing technical guidance and support for the development and implementation of project-based initiatives for the countries assigned; he is expected to meet the expected results and agreed performance measures at the Bureau level, using a results-based country-specific technical assistance management framework which is aligned to the Organization’s biennial and annual work plans and designed to empower the country’s stakeholders to use intellectual property (IP) for development with the view of creating genuine and lasting change in the IP landscape of the country at the national, institutional and community level.

 

 

c.    Reporting Lines

 

The incumbent works under the supervision of the Director of the Bureau. 

 

 

The incumbent will perform the following principal duties\:

 

a.   Identify the development demands, challenges and priorities of the assigned countries, analyze and interpret its economic, social and political environment, and design, plan, implement and evaluate IP development projects that are responsive to the needs of IP stakeholders.

 

b.   Exercise administrative, operational and financial management responsibility for projects.

 

c.   Prepare, endorse and oversee the updating of country-specific work plans with national IP offices. Ensure activities are sustainable and that desired changes are institutionalized by assigned countries.

 

d.   Provide expert advice to country authorities, public and private sectors, UN offices, donors and other stakeholders and partners. Promote the Organization’s mission and vision, negotiate agreements, develop collaborative arrangements and coordinated approaches, promote new activities and resolve project implementation problems.

 

e.   Establish and maintain good working relations with the different sectors within the Organization in order to create synergy through collaboration, maximize the benefits of technical assistance, build ownership and strengthen accountability of stakeholders within the Organization and in assigned countries.

 

f.    Prepare all necessary project documents, including but not limited to concept papers, proposals, internal memoranda, draft agreements, mission reports, observations, summary of discussions and other working documents, to ensure that the project is implemented in a timely and efficient manner and that all reporting requirements are met.

 

g.   Lead or participate in missions and meetings in order to engage with key contacts in the assigned countries, represent the Organization, guide project staff, elicit information and feedback, and keep abreast of the most current local conditions and circumstances to achieve project objectives and implementation success.

 

h.   Perform other related duties as required.

 

 

 

 

Education

Essential

Advanced university degree in law, economics, international relations, development studies or a related field. A relevant first-level university degree plus two years of relevant experience in addition to the requested experience requested may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

 

Desirable

University degree with a specialization in IP.

Project management qualification.

 

Experience

Essential

At least nine years’ relevant professional experience at the national or international level, including in the field of technical assistance, capacity building or development.

Experience with and knowledge of the social, economic and legal systems of developing or least developed countries in the African region.

Experience working in the field of IP.

Project management experience.

 

Desirable

Experience with and understanding of Results-Based Management.

 

Language

Essential

Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English and good knowledge of French.

 

Desirable

Knowledge of other UN languages.

 

Job Related Competencies

Essential

Good knowledge of the international IP system.

Good knowledge of project management methodologies.

Excellent analytical and organizational skills.

Ability to represent the Organization and to provide policy and technical advice and guidance.

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

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.

 

Desirable

Knowledge of IP institution building in the African Region. 

 

 

1.     Communicating effectively.

2.     Showing team spirit.

3.     Demonstrating integrity.

4.     Valuing diversity.

5.     Producing results.

6.     Showing service orientation.

7.     Seeing the big picture.

8.     Seeking change and innovation.

9.     Developing yourself and others.

 

 

 

Mobility\:  WIPO staff members are international civil servants subject to the authority of the Director General and may be assigned to any activities, office or duty station of the Organization.  Accordingly, the selected candidate may be required to move from time to time to new functions and/or to another duty station.

 

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 March 2018 rate of 80.5%

 

P4
Annual salary	$70,647
Post adjustment	$56,871
Total Salary	$127,518
Currency USD

 

 

Please refer to WIPO’s Staff Regulation and Rules for detailed information concerning salaries, benefits and allowances.

 

Additional Information

 

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.

 

Applications from qualified women as well as from qualified nationals of unrepresented Member States of WIPO and underrepresented geographical regions are encouraged. Please click on the following links for the list of unrepresented Member States and the list of underrepresented regions and the WIPO Member States in these regions.

 

The Organization reserves the right to make an appointment at a grade lower than that advertised.

 

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By completing an application, candidates understand that any willful misrepresentation made on this web site, or on any other documents submitted to WIPO during the application, may result in disqualification from the recruitment process, or termination of employment with WIPO 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. WIPO 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.