International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV)

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 Technical Officer and is responsible for all tasks relating to the creation of UPOV Test Guidelines for the examination of distinctness, uniformity and stability (DUS) from the drafting process to the publication of adopted Test Guidelines. The incumbent is also involved in activities enhancing cooperation in the examination of DUS.

c. Reporting Lines

The incumbent works under the direct supervision of the Director of Global Development and Technical Affairs and the overall 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, UPOV observers, stakeholders, international experts and external providers.