Head, Examination Policy and Quality Section

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

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.

2.         Duties and Responsibilities

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.

3.         Requirements

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.

4.         Organizational Competencies

1.  Communicating effectively.

2.  Showing team spirit.

3.  Demonstrating integrity.

4.  Valuing diversity.

5.  Producing results.