Head of IT, UPOV

UPOV

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 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 will:

(i)      define UPOV's IT strategy, vision and roadmap in alignment with the Strategic Business Plan;
(ii)     define and direct the portfolio of IT work; and
(iii)    organize resources, establish priorities for and direct the implementation of UPOV's IT projects.

c.    Reporting Lines

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

d.    Work Relations

The incumbent interacts with all senior colleagues within the Office of the Union, 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, IT service users and external service providers.

2.      Duties and Responsibilities

The incumbent will perform the following principal duties:

a.   Define UPOV's IT strategy, vision and roadmap in alignment with the Strategic Business Plan;

b.   Advise the Vice Secretary-General on capabilities in relation to business continuity and identify and proactively manage risk management processes in order to avoid critical service outages;

c.   Define and direct the portfolio of IT work and exercise significant and strategic human and financial asset management. Flexibly deploy and redeploy resources into value-added activities and away from areas without comparative advantage;

d.   Assess and authorize innovative sourcing strategies for the provision of IT services and ensure the management of the same. Make recommendations on architecture modernization to maintain efficient and cost effective services and oversee its implementation;

e.   Plan and direct procurement related to IT technical services. Manage critical and complex contracts or agreements with external service providers or partners. Develop solutions to unprecedented or unique problems. Anticipate and manage changes to internal processes and staff competencies;

f.    Lead a culture of customer-centric orientation within UPOV's IT services teams. Ensure that internal and external systems are running and performing as they should by actively monitoring and responding to incidents;

g.   Manage resources, establish priorities for and direct the implementation of UPOV's IT projects, ensuring that they improve service delivery, deliver business value and are implemented on time, within the allocated resources, and in line with UPOV/WIPO information security and infrastructure requirements;

h.   Maintain keen awareness of technological developments, and industry best practice, and advise the Vice Secretary-General on the opportunities and implications for innovation or risk mitigation. Consult with WIPO ICTD and the Vice Secretary-General to ensure that overall IT architecture capabilities and capacity meet current and future business expectations;

i.    Represent UPOV and intervene in specialized meetings of, or with, other governmental or non-governmental organizations, IT service users and in contacts with national or regional authorities; and

j.    Perform other job-related duties as required.

3.      Requirements

Education (Essential)

Advanced university degree in information systems covering knowledge management and web technologies.  A first-level university degree plus two additional years of relevant professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Project management certification (PRINCE2, PMP or equivalent).

Education (Desirable)

A PhD in a relevant discipline.

Experience (Essential)

At least ten years of experience in software engineering, including extensive experience in managing the development of web-based software applications, reporting tools and databases.

At least five years of experience in project/portfolio management, particularly in managing out-sourced projects and project teams.

Experience in overseeing essential aspects of projects: budget, project team management, relations with external providers and customers, risk management and project monitoring.

Experience with: international standard elaboration; XML design and implementation; data architecture; business analysis; relational database design and development; and website design and implementation, preferably in the field of intellectual property.

Experience (Desirable)

Knowledge of IT systems, software applications, reporting tools and databases used in WIPO and UPOV.

Experience in teaching.

Knowledge of plant variety protection and/or intellectual property protection.

Language (Essential)

Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English and French.

Language (Desirable)

Knowledge of other working languages of UPOV (German and Spanish) and of languages relevant for UPOV members.