Technical/Regional Officer (Asia)

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 140,713 USD and 184,253 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.

This post is a limited-term fixed-term post.

1. Organizational Context

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 provides expert advice on technical matters concerning plant variety protection and UPOV, raises awareness of and helps to promote UPOV and PVP, and assists States and organizations in the Asian region in becoming a UPOV member and in the implementation of an effective plant variety protection system.

c. Reporting Lines

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

d. Work Relations

The incumbent interacts with the two Directors, the Head of IT and other colleagues within the UPOV Office, 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 in order to represent UPOV.

2. Duties and Responsibilities

The incumbent will perform the following principal duties:

a. Assist in the analysis and provision of recommendations to the Vice Secretary-General on the introduction and implementation of plant variety protection in accordance with the UPOV Convention, in Asian countries.

b. Oversee the implementation of UPOV's program of assistance in Asian countries; participate in specific courses, seminars and other activities, write technical papers and deliver lectures as required; liaise with government officials, as agreed with the Vice Secretary-General, to provide policy and procedural information on the promotion of plant variety protection; assist in the analysis of laws of prospective members of the Union; and promote UPOV Services, materials, and projects, in particular UPOV e-PVP and its components (UPOV PRISMA, PLUTO Database, Administrative and DUS Report Exchange Modules).

c. Monitor extra-budgetary resources, including Funds-in-Trust, for Asian countries; identify priorities and propose allocation of resources, in agreement with the Vice Secretary-General, for the timely completion and delivery of quality work products in accordance with results- based management principles.

d. Facilitate the efficient management and improvement of the PLUTO Database, UPOV Code System and variety denomination guidance and tools.

e. Represent UPOV at meetings of other organizations, particularly concerning matters related to plant genetic resources.

f. Organize the collection and verification of plant variety protection statistics and information on cooperation and experience in examination within UPOV and contribute to the preparation of relevant documents for UPOV bodies.

g. Assist in the organization of and provide the Secretariat support for selected Technical Working Parties (TWPs) and contribute to the preparation of documents for the Council, Consultative Committee, Administrative and Legal Committee, Technical Committee, TWPs and related working groups.

h. Contribute to knowledge management activities by providing substantive inputs for the development of materials (e.g. publications, videos) that demonstrate the benefits of plant variety protection and UPOV membership.

i. Perform other related duties as required.

3. Requirements

Education

Essential

First level university degree in agricultural science, intellectual property or related discipline.

Experience

Essential

At least six years of international professional experience in agriculture of which at least two have been directly related to agricultural policy, or intellectual property protection or a related discipline. Considerable experience of administration at national or international level.

Desirable

Experience of working with plant variety protection laws and regulations.

Experience of working on plant variety protection policy in the Asian region.

Experience of international negotiations.

Language

Essential

Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English.

Desirable

Knowledge of other languages, particularly Asian languages.

Job Related Competencies

Essential

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

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

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.

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

Desirable

Knowledge of one or more of the following: plant breeding, plant genetic resources, seed certification, arable agriculture, horticulture, intellectual property rights, international agreements.

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 2024 rate of 85.9%

P3

Annual salary

$62,692

Post adjustment

$53,852

Total Salary

$116,544

Currency USD

Salaries and allowances are paid in Swiss francs at the official rate of exchange of the United Nations.

Other benefits

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.

Candidates are invited to apply through WIPO’s online recruitment system.

* Initial fixed-term appointment of two years, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and other applicable conditions. The selected candidate’s appointment will be subject to an overall term of five years in this position, with no possibility of renewal beyond that term. S/he may, however, apply and be considered for other positions at WIPO.

This is not applicable to WIPO staff members on fixed-term, continuing or permanent appointments, who were recruited following a competition under Staff Regulation 4.10 (“Appointment Boards”).

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.