Director, Patent and Technology Law Division

Contract

This is a D-1 contract. This kind of contract is known as Professional and Director staff. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's a staff contract. It usually requires 15 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 237,851 USD and 300,143 USD.

Please keep in mind that the salary displayed here is an estimation by UN Talent based on the location and the type of contract. It may vary depending on the organization. The recruiter should be able to inform you about the exact salary range. In case the job description contains another salary information, please refer to this one.

The deadline for applications has been extended to June 25, 2021.

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 Context

1. Organizational Setting

The post is located in the Patent and Technology Law Division (PTLD), Patents and Technology Sector. The PTLD is responsible for the implementation of WIPO’s strategic goals concerning the balanced evolution of the international normative framework for intellectual property in the area of patents, trade secrets, technology and integrated circuits. The PTLD is also responsible for providing the design and implementation of balanced legislative, regulatory and policy frameworks in these areas of Intellectual Property, including legislative and policy assistance to Member States in drafting and updating their national legislation.

2. Purpose Statement

As Director of the Division, the incumbent takes full responsibility for the management of the assets of the Patent and Technology Law Division, and to direct the work and provide program leadership in relation to the progressive development of the international patent system to the benefit of all stakeholders.

3. Reporting Lines

The Director reports to the Deputy Director General, Patents and Technology Sector.

4. Work Relations

The Director liaises frequently with senior-level country representatives of the Paris and Budapest Unions, and Patent Law Treaty (“PLT”) Contracting Parties, industrial property Offices, and intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations to ensure stakeholder needs are met.

2. Duties and Responsibilities

The incumbent will perform the following principal duties:

a. Lead and define the work of the Division, including formulating key objectives and frameworks, exercising strategic asset management and deploying resources into value-added activities, managing and empowering staff, and developing innovative strategies and approaches to ensure timely, efficient and high quality delivery of results within the parameters of the WIPO Program and Budget.

b. Establish, develop and maintain strategic engagement and close relations with Member States, country representatives of the Paris and Budapest Unions and PLT Contracting Parties, and other key stakeholders to ensure that the international patent system and proposals for sustainable and future development of the system meet the needs of all stakeholders.

c. Provide authoritative expertise in conceptualizing and formulating strategies, policies and concrete proposals for the future development of the international patent system in close cooperation with Member States, other external stakeholders and concerned programs throughout WIPO. Develop solutions to problems where procedures and precedents do not exist, and manage and implement change.

d. Plan, direct and manage legal work connected with the Division’s objectives including:

- the progressive development of the international patent system including, preparatory work and follow-up actions in respect of meetings of the Standing Committee on the Law of Patents and all other relevant Member States’ bodies;

- legislative and policy assistance to Member States in the implementation of national legislation and regional treaties in the fields of patents, technology, trade secrets, layout designs of semi-conductor products and related programs of assistance, taking into account the needs of Member States.

e. Act, where applicable, as Secretary to Standing and other Committee meetings, and represent WIPO at other senior and executive level meetings and relevant events.

f. In the framework of the Budapest Treaty, provide advanced technical advice, and direct and manage assistance provided to Member States, international depositary authorities and users.

g. Perform other related duties as required.

3. Requirements

Education (Essential)

Advanced university degree in law, preferably with a specialization in Intellectual Property. A first-level university degree plus two years of relevant experience in addition to the experience required below may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience (Essential)

At least 15 years of progressively responsible professional experience in intellectual property law, either in the public or private sectors, including at least 12 years of professional experience as a subject matter expert in substantive patent law and procedures. Substantial experience at a managerial level and in the negotiation of bilateral or multilateral agreements in these fields.

Experience (Desirable)

Experience in the areas of legislative, regulatory and policy frameworks in Intellectual Property, including drafting laws, acts or regulations, or in the elaboration and legal revisions of commercial contracts in intellectual property.

Language (Essential)

Excellent written and spoken knowledge of English.

Language (Desirable)

Knowledge of other UN official languages.

Job Related Competencies (Essential)

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

Excellent managerial skills and ability to lead by example and to motivate and support staff towards meeting challenges and achieving objectives, promoting ownership and responsibility at all levels.

Excellent negotiating, communication, presentation and interpersonal skills and ability to maintain effective partnerships and working relations in a multi-cultural, environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity. Excellent political judgment and capacity to work well with a range of actors, including all WIPO stakeholders.

Excellent legal drafting skills.

Integrity, tact and diplomacy.

Strong decision-making and problem-solving skills.

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

Ability to assess risks and factor in contingencies when planning.

Competent user of Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint), the internet, information management systems, and the ability to adapt quickly to new technologies.

4. Organizational Competencies

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.

5. Information

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. 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 May 2021 rate of 85.0%

D1

Annual salary

$102,715

Post adjustment

$87,308

Total Salary

$190,023

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

* Initial period of one year, 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.