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 acts as an Associate Services Support Officer and is responsible for providing comprehensive customer support for UPOV Services to assist UPOV members in implementing the UPOV system of plant variety protection.  The incumbent also provides support for the management and implementation of UPOV activities, including Funds-in-Trust initiatives.

 

c.    Reporting Lines

 

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

 

d.    Work Relations

 

The incumbent interacts with a wide range of colleagues within the UPOV Office, the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), UPOV members, stakeholders, international experts and external providers.

 

 

 

The incumbent will perform the following principal duties:

 

a.   Provide technical and administrative support for the development and implementation of UPOV Services, materials, and projects, in particular UPOV e-PVP and its components (UPOV PRISMA, PLUTO Database, Administrative and DUS Report Exchange Modules);

 

b.   Monitor and follow-up on legal, technical and financial inquiries concerning UPOV services and projects, forwarding to and/or liaising with relevant colleagues to help ensure the timely resolution of problems;

 

c.   Identify issues or areas of improvement in the customer support workflow management system for UPOV services; make recommendations to the Director of Legal Affairs and the Head of IT for possible enhancements and provide analysis on user request trends by documenting customer support knowledge;

 

d.   Review and provide inputs for documents submitted by external users, update information by consulting colleagues and users, and prepare documents for publication;

 

e.   Provide support for managing UPOV databases, in particular the PLUTO plant variety database, including administrative and technical support for contributors and users;

 

f.    Collect and analyze data, prepare statistics and summary documentation, and compile information in support of the development, monitoring, and evaluation of UPOV services, projects and activities;

 

g.   Organize meetings, events and awareness-raising activities, and draft materials to support users of UPOV services and the management and implementation of Funds-in-Trust initiatives;

 

h.   Provide administrative and process support for financial matters, including procurement actions, the management of records of receipts and invoices, and payment processing. Track and monitor expenditures for the management of UPOV activities, including Funds in Trust initiatives;

 

i.    Perform such other related duties as required.

 

 

 

Education (Essential)

First-level university degree in business administration, management, economics or equivalent disciplines.

 

Education (Desirable)

Successful completion of UPOV distance learning courses DL-205 “Introduction to the UPOV System of Plant Variety Protection Under the UPOV Convention”.

 

Certification in Plant Taxonomy.

 

Experience (Essential)

At least three years of proven professional experience in service support management for technical platforms and management of service support knowledge.

 

Experience in providing support in the management and implementation of activities.

 

Experience (Desirable)

Experience in organizing awareness raising activities concerning plant breeders’ rights.

 

Experience in the Finance/Administrative modules, including Procurement and Travel in an ERP system.

 

Language (Essential)

Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English.

 

Language (Desirable)

Knowledge of French and of languages relevant for UPOV services and activities.

 

Job Related Competencies (Essential)

Demonstrated ability to take ownership of issues and initiatives, driving them through to resolution with a proactive approach.

 

Excellent analytical thinking with capacity to address evolving customer needs and feedback and propose appropriate solutions and improvements to ensure exceptional customer service.

 

Excellent skills in planning, coordination, and delivery of services, with the ability to work under pressure and to respect deadlines, high degree of flexibility and initiative.

 

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

 

Demonstrable knowledge of services relevant for plant variety protection or equivalent disciplines.

 

Excellent interpersonal and relationship building skills and ability to maintain effective partnerships and working relations in a multi-cultural environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.

 

 

 

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.

 

 

 

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 April 2024 rate of 84.8%

 

P2
Annual salary	$49,254
Post adjustment	$41,767
Total Salary	$91,021
Currency USD

 

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 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.

 

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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.