UPOV

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.

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 will:

(i)      define UPOV’s IT strategy, vision and roadmap in alignment with the Strategic Business Plan;
(ii)     define and direct the portfolio of IT work; and
(iii)    organize resources, establish priorities for and direct the implementation of UPOV’s IT projects.

c.    Reporting Lines

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

d.    Work Relations

The incumbent interacts with all senior colleagues within the Office of the Union, and with a wide range of staff in the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). The incumbent also regularly interacts with persons in States, intergovernmental organizations and other international organizations, IT service users and external service providers.

The incumbent will perform the following principal duties:

a.   Define UPOV’s IT strategy, vision and roadmap in alignment with the Strategic Business Plan;

b.   Advise the Vice Secretary-General on capabilities in relation to business continuity and identify and proactively manage risk management processes in order to avoid critical service outages;

c.   Define and direct the portfolio of IT work and exercise significant and strategic human and financial asset management. Flexibly deploy and redeploy resources into value-added activities and away from areas without comparative advantage;

d.   Assess and authorize innovative sourcing strategies for the provision of IT services and ensure the management of the same. Make recommendations on architecture modernization to maintain efficient and cost effective services and oversee its implementation;

e.   Plan and direct procurement related to IT technical services. Manage critical and complex contracts or agreements with external service providers or partners. Develop solutions to unprecedented or unique problems. Anticipate and manage changes to internal processes and staff competencies;

f.    Lead a culture of customer-centric orientation within UPOV’s IT services teams. Ensure that internal and external systems are running and performing as they should by actively monitoring and responding to incidents;

g.   Manage resources, establish priorities for and direct the implementation of UPOV’s IT projects, ensuring that they improve service delivery, deliver business value and are implemented on time, within the allocated resources, and in line with UPOV/WIPO information security and infrastructure requirements;

h.   Maintain keen awareness of technological developments, and industry best practice, and advise the Vice Secretary-General on the opportunities and implications for innovation or risk mitigation. Consult with WIPO ICTD and the Vice Secretary-General to ensure that overall IT architecture capabilities and capacity meet current and future business expectations;

i.    Represent UPOV and intervene in specialized meetings of, or with, other governmental or non-governmental organizations, IT service users and in contacts with national or regional authorities; and

j.    Perform other job-related duties as required.

Education (Essential)

Advanced university degree in information systems covering knowledge management and web technologies.  A first-level university degree plus two additional years of relevant professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Project management certification (PRINCE2, PMP or equivalent).

Education (Desirable)

A PhD in a relevant discipline.

Experience (Essential)

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

At least five years of experience in project/portfolio management, particularly in managing out-sourced projects and project teams.

Experience in overseeing essential aspects of projects: budget, project team management, relations with external providers and customers, risk management and project monitoring.

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.

Experience (Desirable)

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

Experience in teaching.

Knowledge of plant variety protection and/or intellectual property protection.

Language (Essential)

Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English and French.

Language (Desirable)

Knowledge of other working languages of UPOV (German and Spanish) and of languages relevant for UPOV members.

Job Related Competencies (Essential)

Excellent analytical, organizational and communication skills.

Ability to assess and evaluate risk.

Leadership skills and the ability to influence and persuade.

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.

Customer service skills.

Ability to prepare documents and reports with a high level of clarity and accuracy.

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.

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.  Please note that this estimate is for information only.  The post adjustment multiplier (cost of living allowance) is variable and subject to change (increase or decrease) without notice.  The figures quoted below are based on the July 2023 rate of 89.2%

Staff are eligible for 30 days of annual leave per year on a full-time basis (or the pro-rata equivalent). They are covered by the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Scheme, and by worldwide medical and dental insurance.

Other benefits, which vary according to category and level, may include:

• Dependency allowance

• Education grant for schools and first-level university education (up to 75% of expenses)

• Home leave for staff member and dependents

• Life insurance

• Maternity/paternity/adoption leave

• Travel and removal expenses, and an appointment grant

• Rental subsidy

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.