JOB SUMMARY:

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 Madrid Operations Division of the Madrid Registry, Brands and Designs Sector. The Madrid Operations Division is responsible for receiving, processing and translating international trademark applications and associated requests, and for publishing and notifying data concerning those processes to the Offices of the Madrid Union, to applicants and holders of international registrations.

b.  Purpose Statement

The incumbent is required to manage examination policies, regulations and practice, especially those concerning classification of goods and services; coordinate and implement the Registry’s quality management framework; coordinate and organize technical training for personnel of the International Bureau and Member Offices of the Madrid System with a view to ensuring high standards of quality and timeliness in international trademark administration.

c.  Reporting Lines

The incumbent works under the supervision of the Director, Madrid Operations Division.

The incumbent will perform the following principal duties:

a.         Take overall management responsibility for examination policies, regulations and practice for the Madrid Registry in collaboration with relevant working units in the Organization, including but not limited to:

1) maintaining and updating the Examination Procedural Manual;

2) leading the development of the Examination Practice Handbook;

3) leading the implementation of rule changes;

4) providing input on the future development of the legal framework and contributing to operational service innovation.

b.         Develop and coordinate the implementation of trademark classification policies and practices for the Madrid System including but not limited to:

1) developing recommendations on classification strategies, policies, procedures, work processes and customer services while evaluating implementation outcomes;

2) leading the development of the Classification Customer Support Hotline;

3) updating the Examination Guidelines Concerning the Classification of Goods and Services in International Applications;

4) advising and providing guidance to operational units on handling complex and contentious classification issues;

5) leading the development of the Madrid Classification Clinic;

6) supporting the design, development and implementation of classification support tools for internal and external users;

7) planning, organizing and leading the coordination and collaboration with Member Offices regarding the classification with a view to improving harmonization of practices among trademark offices worldwide, particularly regarding newly emerging goods and services;

8) advising on communication strategies and plans regarding trademark classification to internal and external stakeholders;

9) monitoring classification-related trends globally and representing the Registry in international, regional and national meetings including the meetings of the Nice Union’s Committee of Expert.

c.         Coordinate and implement the Quality Management Framework of the Madrid Registry including but not limited to:

1) organizing awareness activities;

2) organizing quality control activities and producing quality performance reports;

3) reviewing and assessing the Quality Management Framework and recommending continuous improvements thereto;

4) expanding the coverage of the Quality Management Framework to the Member Offices of the Madrid System.

d.         Coordinate and organize technical training activities for both internal and external stakeholders on examination and electronic data communication, including the further development of online learning courses on the Madrid System.

e.         Lead and manage the team with a view to the efficient coordination and delivery of services to the internal and external stakeholders including work planning, human resource management, as well as performance monitoring and evaluation.

f.          Perform other related tasks as required.

Education (Essential)

Advanced university degree in business administration, intellectual property, law or related disciplines.  A first-level university degree in a relevant discipline plus two years of relevant professional experience in addition to the requested experience above may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience (Essential)

At least ten years of relevant professional experience in trademark administration, including goods and services classification and the Madrid System.

Supervisory experience.

Language (Essential)

Excellent written and spoken knowledge of English and French.

Language (Desirable)

Good knowledge of Spanish or another UN official language.

Job Related Competencies (Essential)

Thorough knowledge of/and strategic insight regarding NICE classification, the classification challenges facing the Madrid System and the evolution of trademark classification globally.

Comprehensive and in-depth knowledge of the international trademark examination rules and regulations and the related procedures.

Excellent understanding of operational management.

Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.

Customer/client oriented, with the ability to deliver a high-quality customer/client service, and to improve service execution, delivery and outcomes.

Excellent communication, supervisory skills and ability to develop professional relations with internal and external stakeholders at all levels.

Good personnel management skills and ability to maintain effective partnerships and working relations in a multicultural environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.

Competent user of Microsoft Office applications (including Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint), databases, information management systems and the Internet.

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.

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 July 2024 rate of 89.2%

Please refer to WIPO’s Staff Regulation and Rules for detailed information concerning salaries, benefits and allowances.

Additional Information

* 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.

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.

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.

ABSTRACT:

World Intellectual Property Organization Head, Examination Policy and Quality Section Switzerland WIPO Jobs 2024

World Intellectual Property Organization looking for “Head, Examination Policy and Quality Section”. Applicants with an Advanced degree may apply on or before 17-Aug-24.

The World Intellectual Property Organization has published a job vacancy announcement on 17/07/2024 for qualified applicants to fill in the vacant post of Head, Examination Policy and Quality Section to be based in Geneva , Switzerland. For more jobs, please visit https://unjoblink.org

Company Name: World Intellectual Property Organization

Job Title: Head, Examination Policy and Quality Section

Duty Station: Geneva , Switzerland

Country: Switzerland

Application Deadline: 17-Aug-24