Title of assignment: Technical Expert

Name of organization: International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV)

Place of Assignment: Home-based; meetings with the UPOV Office, government officials and users of UPOV services may entail travel to Geneva every 2 or 3 months, as appropriate and agreed with the Vice Secretary-General

Expected duration of assignment: January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2028, at 40% (or two days per week)

Key Partners for the assignment: UPOV Office / UPOV members and observers / users of UPOV services

I. Background

The International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV) is an intergovernmental organization with headquarters in Geneva (Switzerland).  UPOV’s mission is to provide and promote an effective system of plant variety protection (PVP), with the aim of encouraging the development of new varieties of plants, for the benefit of society.

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.

II. Objectives of the assignment

(i) provide guidance and support to States and organizations on the UPOV system and on the implementation of the UPOV system;

(ii) provide guidance on technical matters concerning PVP and UPOV; and

(iii) promote UPOV services.

III. Deliverables/services 

A. Provide support for the development and implementation of UPOV services, including UPOV e-PVP and its modules, UPOV PRISMA, PLUTO and GENIE.  Promote participation in, and the use of, UPOV services. Provide feedback from users to support the development and implementation of UPOV services.

B. Provide support for the implementation of arrangements to improve UPOV’s guidance on technical matters, including in relation to the work of the UPOV Technical Working Parties.

C. For selected African, Arab and European countries:
• Provide guidance and support on implementation of plant variety protection in accordance with the UPOV Convention
• Act as a tutor for UPOV distance learning courses and as a speaker in selected training and academic programs (English and French)

D. Develop and provide input to communication materials (e.g. publications, presentations, videos, social media content) to promote plant variety protection and UPOV membership.

E. Development and implementation of the UPOV International PVP Certificate.

IV. Reporting

The technical expert will report to the Vice Secretary-General of UPOV.

V. Profile 

Education
Essential
At least a bachelor degree in agriculture, horticulture, botany or a related science, international studies or equivalent qualifications.

Experience
Essential
At least 10 years of professional experience in plant variety protection.
At least 10 years of experience in Distinctness, Uniformity and Stability (“DUS”) testing.
Experience in organizing meetings.

Language
Essential
Good written and spoken knowledge of English.  Knowledge of French.

Job Related Competencies
Essential
Ability to work in a multicultural team.
Excellent organization and problem-solving skills.
Excellent collaboration and coordination skills.

VI. Duration of contract and payment

(a) The expected duration of this assignment is from January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2028.

(b) ln full consideration for the complete, satisfactory and timely performance by the Contractor of all its obligations under this Contract, UPOV shall pay the Contractor a daily rate of CHF 395 per day, including working in the UPOV Office in Geneva every 2 or 3 months, as appropriate and agreed with the Vice Secretary-General.  The total payment, including any travel costs, shall not exceed CHF100,000 per year.

(c) The daily rate shall include all costs, expenses, charges or fees that the Contractor may incur in connection with the performance of its obligations under the Contract, excluding travel costs, which will be at the expense of UPOV (see article 11 “Official Travel” of UPOV’s General Conditions of Contract for the Provision of Individual Contractor Services).

(d) ICS contractors fall outside the coverage of employment contracts for UPOV staff members and are not subject to the UPOV Staff Regulations and Rules.