Head of Section

 

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 User Resources Section, PCT Legal Division, Patents and Technology Sector. The User Resources Section creates and/or manages PCT-related data, processing it into outputs which are relied upon by PCT stakeholders (in particular, applicants, Offices of PCT member States and the general public, and by staff of the International Bureau), which is of utmost importance for the proper functioning of the PCT system and WIPO’s internal and external-facing PCT IT systems.

 

 

b.    Purpose Statement

 

The main role of the incumbent is to supervise and direct the staff and the activities of the Section, ensuring quality and timeliness of outputs.  S/he will also propose new strategic directions in the area of content management with the goal of enhancing the customer experience when consulting and interacting with PCT information resources.

 

 

c.    Reporting Lines

 

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

 

 

The incumbent will perform the following principal duties\:

 

a.   Manage staff of the Section and evaluate their work determining priorities and allocating resources for the completion and timely and quality delivery of work products in accordance with results-based management principles; Contribute to the preparation of the Division’s workplan and budget and monitor implementation thereof, set performance indicators in collaboration with the Director of the Division, prepare performance reports and strategic plans.  In the absence of the Director and the Deputy Director, the Head of the User Resources Section will act as Officer in Charge of the Division.

 

b.   Provide strategic direction and oversight in relation to the content management (receipt, processing, maintenance and dissemination) of PCT reference data.

 

c.   Advise the Director of the Division on knowledge management policies and practices in relation to PCT reference data, and implementing such practices within the Division.

 

d.   Oversee the preparation, updating, publication, translation and maintenance of PCT information resources, including in particular PCT legal texts, PCT informational publications, externally-facing PCT-related resources and mission-critical internal legal resources.

 

e.   Make recommendations for enhancement of the customer experience when interacting with PCT information resources, including through the use of new media;  manage projects for improvements to the presentation of PCT information resources, in particular as a result of the biennial PCT User Survey.

 

f.    In cooperation with colleagues from other Divisions, provide direction and management in relation to the development, implementation and maintenance of information technology systems for the management of PCT reference data.

 

g.   Build and maintain partnerships with PCT Offices and Authorities, particularly as relating to the provision of PCT-specific data.

 

h.   Represent the Organization at meetings concerning the PCT; prepare and oversee the preparation of related reports; provide advice and recommendations on the promotion of the PCT; plan, organize and lead seminars, training courses and workshops, including preparation of documents and delivery of lectures.

 

i.    Engage meaningfully in the multi-Divisional development of conceptual approaches for improvements to the PCT legal framework, and the development of future PCT-related services, features and functionalities.

 

j.    Perform other related duties as required.

 

 

 

 

Education

Essential

Advanced university degree in law.  A first level university degree in law plus two years of relevant professional experience in addition to the years of experience mentioned below may be acceptable in lieu of an advanced university degree.

 

Desirable

Specialization or further qualification in industrial property law.

 

Experience

Essential

At least 12 years of relevant professional experience in the field of patents, either in the public or private sector.

Detailed knowledge of and experience with the PCT.

 

Desirable

Detailed knowledge of and experience with WIPO’s PCT information resources.

Experience with content management and knowledge management.

Experience with processes involving data management and review and production of text, publications and reference data similar in nature to the processes managed in the Section.

 

Language

Essential

Excellent written and spoken knowledge of English.

 

Desirable

Ability to work in other PCT languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian or Spanish).

 

Job Related Competencies

Essential

Strong analytical, decision-making and problem-solving skills.

Excellent people and resource management skills.

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.

Ability to cultivate innovation and manage change\: proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives and accountability in delivering results.

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

 

Desirable

Familiarity with results-based management.

 

 

 

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 April 2018 rate of 77.8%

 

P5
Annual salary	$84,721
Post adjustment	$65,913
Total Salary	$150,634
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.