Technical Officer

Contract

This is a P-3 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 5 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 137,951 USD and 180,636 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.

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 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 (PVP); (ii) to assist States and organizations in the development of legislation and the implementation of an effective PVP 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:

(i) provides guidance on plant variety examination and supports the development of plant variety examination in UPOV; and (ii) raises awareness of UPOV in Africa and Europe and provides guidance on the implementation of PVP; (iii) promotes UPOV services.

3. Reporting Lines

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

4. Work Relations

The incumbent interacts with all senior colleagues within the Office of the Union. The incumbent regularly interacts with persons in States, intergovernmental organizations and other international organizations in order to represent UPOV. Under the agreement between the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and UPOV, the incumbent also interacts with a range of colleagues in WIPO.

2. Duties and Responsibilities

The incumbent will perform the following principal duties:

a. Provide guidance and information to States and organizations on plant variety examination;

b. Assist in UPOV’s work to optimize plant variety examination methods, develop internationally harmonized guidance and encourage international cooperation in examination. Organize and provide the secretariat for selected Technical Working Parties (TWPs) in coordination with the Head of Technical Affairs. Prepare documents on plant variety examination for the Council, Consultative Committee, Administrative and Legal Committee, Technical Committee, TWPs and related working groups;

c. Provide guidance on UPOV services, including e-PVP, UPOV PRISMA, PLUTO and GENIE and contribute to their further development, including through the organization of meetings of relevant UPOV working groups;

d. Support the development and promotion of plant variety protection (PVP) in Africa and Europe. Monitor and report to the Vice Secretary-General on the introduction and implementation of PVP in accordance with the UPOV Convention in relevant countries;

e. Contribute to the development of materials (e.g. publications, videos, social media content) to explain the role of plant variety protection and UPOV membership;

f. Represent UPOV at meetings of other organizations, participate in courses, seminars and other activities; and

g. Perform other related duties as required.

3. Requirements

Education (Essential)

First-level university degree in biology, agricultural science or related discipline.

Experience (Essential)

At least six years of professional experience in agriculture or plant science of which at least two have been directly related to plant breeding, plant variety testing or a related discipline.

Experience (Desirable)

Knowledge of plant variety examination, seed production and certification, plant breeding and/or plant variety protection.

Experience of working with IT services and applications.

Experience in communicating information in professional context.

Language (Essential)

Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English or French with good knowledge of the other language.

Language (Desirable)

Knowledge of other working languages of UPOV (German and Spanish) and of languages relevant for Africa and Europe would be an advantage.

Job Related Competencies (Essential)

Excellent planning and organizational skills and ability to adjust to dynamic and client-focused work environment.

Sound judgment and capacity to work well with a range of diverse actors and stakeholders. Excellent 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.

Customer service skills.

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

Competent user of Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) and the ability to quickly adapt to new software and tools.

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

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 2022 rate of 72.2%.

P3

Annual salary

$62,692

Post adjustment

$45,264

Total Salary

$107,956

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

WIPO assists UPOV 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.

* Temporary appointments are renewable, subject to continuing needs, availability of budget and satisfactory performance with a maximum cumulative length of two years.

UPOV 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 UPOV during the application, may result in disqualification from the recruitment process, or termination of employment with UPOV 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. UPOV 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.

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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.