Communication and Events Officer

 

 IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING APPLICATION DEADLINE\:  Please note that the deadline for applications is indicated in local time as per the time zone of the applicant’s location. 

1. 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.

    

2. Purpose Statement

    

   The incumbent is required to manage the UPOV communications, including the website and social media, develop and organize the UPOV distance learning courses, manage, coordinate and ensure the organization of international events and manage the production of publications.

    

3. Reporting Lines

    

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

    

4. Work Relations

    

   The incumbent interacts with a wide range of colleagues within the Office of the Union, the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), delegates of UPOV members, international experts and external providers.  

    

The incumbent will perform the following principal duties\:

 

a.   Make recommendations on the design and implementation of the UPOV communication strategy in relation to the UPOV website and social media.  Perform statistical analysis to monitor performance and represent UPOV in meetings with WIPO to identify appropriate implementation measures and improve performance.  Ensure the implementation of agreed measures.

 

b.   Responsibility for management of the UPOV website\:  represent UPOV in meetings with the WIPO Web Communications Section;  recommend improvements to the structure and content;  assess user data, including development of surveys;  supervise UPOV staff in the implementation of changes; and supervise financial and administrative arrangements.  

c.   Responsibility for the management of UPOV social media\:  propose and supervise UPOV staff in the implementation of the social media program as approved by the Vice Secretary-General.  Maintain awareness of and assess developments in social media.  Make recommendations on social media techniques and implement as approved by the Vice Secretary-General.  

d.   Responsibility for the development and organization of the UPOV distance learning courses\:  represent UPOV in meetings with the WIPO Academy to utilize the WIPO DL platform for UPOV courses;  recommend schedule of courses and publicity measures;  evaluate student satisfaction, including development of surveys;  organize tutors;  identify and manage external administrators;  supervise UPOV staff in their work; and supervise financial and administrative arrangements.  

e.   Manage, coordinate and ensure the organization of events (seminars and symposia) in Geneva according to the schedule established by the Vice Secretary-General, including supervision of relevant administrative staff\:  provide financial, administrative and technical guidance and support;  ensure the preparation of correspondence, documents, evaluations and agendas relating to events;  respond to requests for information and other requests, ensure the preparation of invitations and the organization of travel and accommodation for speakers and conference services, liaise with speakers.  Provide training and guidance to administrative staff in the organization of events outside Geneva.  

f.    Responsibility for representing UPOV on communications matters with WIPO and other international organizations.  

g.   Advise on the drafting, design and dissemination of UPOV publications (documents, videos, microsites, graphics etc.) according to target audience;  coordinate the contributions of relevant UPOV staff and external authors; represent UPOV in meetings with WIPO communications division and printing unit for the planning and delivery of publication products; and analyze and report on outreach of UPOV publications.  

h.   Perform other duties as necessary. 

 

Education

Essential

First-level university degree or equivalent in discipline related to communication.

Successful completion of the UPOV distance learning course DL-205 “Introduction to the UPOV System of Plant Variety Protection Under the UPOV Convention”. 

Desirable

Successful completion of UPOV distance learning course DL-305 “Examination of Applications for Plant Breeders' Rights”. 

Experience

Essential

At least six years of relevant work experience related to the management of websites, production of publications (documents and videos) and the organization of distance learning courses, as well as the organization of international events.

At least two years of relevant professional experience in the use of social media. 

Desirable

Experience of organizing events concerning plant breeders' rights. 

Language

Essential

Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English and French. 

Desirable

Good knowledge of Spanish or German. 

Job Related Competencies

Essential

Excellent skills in planning, coordination and delivery of services, with the ability to work under pressure and respect deadlines.

Ability to analyze administrative services and propose improvements. 

Ability to identify client needs and propose appropriate solutions. 

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

High degree of flexibility and initiative. 

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

Desirable

Good level of awareness of communication methods and technologies with an interest to maintain awareness of developments.

 

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. 

 

 

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 2019 rate of 71.8%

 

P3
Annual salary	$60,233
Post adjustment	$43,247
Total Salary	$103,480
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. 

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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 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.