Principal Examiner

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 Operations Division of the Madrid Registry.  The Operations Division is responsible for receiving, processing and registering international trademark applications and associated transactions.

b.    Purpose Statement

The incumbent is required to administer the work of the team, monitor the quality of the work and prepare statistical reports.  The incumbent is furthermore required to perform examination of applications for international registration of marks, modifications, renewals, refusals, rectifications or any other documents received with respect to an international registration, which requires a thorough understanding of the Madrid Agreement, the Madrid Protocol, the NICE and VIENNA Classification and the Administrative Instructions.

c.    Reporting Lines

The incumbent works under the supervision of the Coordinator of the Operations Team 4.

2.      Duties and Responsibilities

The incumbent will perform the following principal duties:

a.   Plan and distribute the work of the team and monitor the production, quality and performance of the team;

b.   Analyze the weekly and/or monthly statistical reports and takes appropriate decisions;  make proposal for enhancing efficiency and timeliness of work output of the team;  identify training needs and ensure that all staff are proficient in all tasks carried out by the team;

c.   Collaborate with the Team Coordinator to ensure that the working procedures comply with the set objectives for production and quality;  identify and make proposals on how to improve the working procedures;  liaise with the Quality and Training Section where necessary;

d.   Solve complicated cases and answer complex queries, guide team members in processing these;  ensure communication of results and include these cases in training materials used for the team;

e.   Analyze and identify training needs;  develop training programs both for internal staff as well as for stakeholders based on WIPO and national Offices' registration procedures;  deliver training and participate in training seminars for the Madrid users and National Offices, as required;

f.    Contribute to the work on the manuals and the continuous update thereof;

g.   Assist the Team Coordinator in developing services to stakeholders (both internal and external) in answering their queries, requests for information and addressing general exchanges;  ensure quality with respect to client-service in general and, in particular, through close supervision of the team mail box and by ensuring prompt and accurate follow-up;

h.   Replace the Team Coordinator in his/her absence, as required;

i.    Perform other related tasks, as necessary.

3.      Requirements

Education (Essential)

First-level university degree.

Experience (Essential)

At least three years of relevant professional experience in the area of trademarks.

Experience (Desirable)

Experience in an Intellectual Property Office or comparable working environment.

Experience in managing projects.

Language (Essential)

Excellent written and spoken knowledge of English.

Language (Desirable)

Knowledge of other official UN languages or languages of major user countries of the Madrid System.

Job Related Competencies (Essential)

Good knowledge of the Madrid Agreement and Protocol concerning the International Registration of Marks.

Good communication skills with the ability to communicate information clearly, both orally and in writing.

Good IT skills for document processing, data management and data search.

Ability to work within the rules, regulations and procedures governing the area of work.

Meticulous attention to detail and ability to spot irregularities.

Good time management and work organization skills.

Ability to handle and protect confidential and sensitive data with integrity.

Ability to work on own initiative and with a marked sense of teamwork and shared responsibility.

Excellent interpersonal 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; ability to adapt quickly to new software.

4.      Organizational Competencies

1.    Communicating effectively.

2.    Showing team spirit.