Senior Policy Officer

 

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 PCT Business Development Division, which is tasked with developing proposals for the further improvement of the PCT system, including proposals for improvements to the PCT legal framework, PCT procedures and processes, and to related standards and specifications of IT systems.

 

b.    Purpose Statement

 

The main role of the incumbent is to develop and formulate proposals to improve the PCT legal framework, procedures and processes with a view to their adoption by Member States and IP Offices, as well as to assist the International Searching and Preliminary Examining Authorities with improving their procedures.

 

c.    Reporting Lines

 

The incumbent works under the supervision of the Director, PCT Business Development Division.

 

 

 

The incumbent will perform the following principal duties\:

 

a.  Develop and formulate proposals for improvements to the PCT system to further strengthen its role in the international patent system, in particular legal work involving the preparation of draft amendments to the Regulations, Administrative Instructions and Guidelines under the PCT, and to related standards.

 

b.  Consult with, and provide advice to, Member States, industrial property Offices, PCT International Authorities and intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations on proposals for improvements to the PCT system.  Provide advice on the effective application of legal instruments concerning procedural and substantive questions on the PCT.

 

c.  Review and provide comments on studies, training materials, correspondence and other texts originating from other PCT Divisions related to implementation of changes to the PCT system.

 

d.  Provide/coordinate secretariat services for the Meeting of International Authorities and its quality subgroup;  prepare background materials, draft agendas and working documents.  Provide advice and assistance to Contracting Parties and delegations.

 

e.  Plan, organize and participate as resource person in meetings, and prepare and present studies, documents and reports;  represent the Organization at PCT meetings to increase awareness of the PCT and to facilitate program delivery.

 

f.   Perform other related tasks as required.

 

 

 

Education

Essential

Advanced university degree in law, science, engineering or related field.  A first-level university degree plus two years of relevant experience in addition to the experience requested below may be acceptable in lieu of an advanced university degree.

 

Desirable

Specialization or further qualification in industrial property law.

 

Experience

Essential

At least seven years of relevant professional experience, including in industrial property, preferably including work as either a patent examiner or a patent agent, as well as of administration and policy development in the field of industrial property at national or international level.

 

Experience with the PCT from either the perspective of an industrial property office, an intergovernmental organization or a user of the system.

 

Desirable

Experience in the organization of or participation in formal meetings between representatives of governments, patent Offices or similar bodies.

 

Language

Essential

Excellent written and spoken knowledge of English.

 

Desirable

Knowledge of other UN official languages, in particular French.

 

Job Related Competencies

Essential

Excellent analytical skills relating to legal, administrative and IT subjects and ability to identify consequences for affected parties and offer recommendations on effective methods of implementation or alternative approaches.

Ability to work effectively in teams as well as independently.

Excellent political judgment and capacity to work well with a range of actors, including WIPO stakeholders.

Excellent legal and technical drafting skills in English.

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.

Strong skills in the identification and solution of problems or opportunities for improvement, having regard to costs and benefits for a wide range of interested parties.

 

 

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 October 2018 rate of 74.6%

 

P4
Annual salary	$70,647
Post adjustment	$52,703
Total Salary	$123,350
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.