Director

VN Category (INT / EXT / EOI):

Job Category:

The recruitment policy of the WTO is to seek to attract and retain staff members offering the highest standards of competence, efficiency and integrity. As an Equal Opportunities Employer, the WTO gives full regard to merit and diversity.

The Secretariat of the WTO is seeking to fill the position of Director of the Intellectual Property, Government Procurement and Competition Division (IPD).

This is a fixed-term contract funded through the regular budget. The duration will be two years with the possibility of extension. The selected candidate is expected to start the assignment as of 1 May 2024.

This is an External Vacancy Notice open to external candidates and WTO staff. It is posted on the WTO internal as well as external career site. Eligible WTO staff on short-term, fixed-term or regular contracts and interns must apply through the Workday internal career site.

Context

The Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights ('TRIPS') is one of the three central pillars of the legal framework of the World Trade Organization (WTO), reflecting the significance of the intellectual property (IP) dimension of the multilateral trading system.  TRIPS Agreement has bearing on the knowledge economy and has impact on social and economic welfare including public health and access to technology for sustainable development. The plurilateral Agreement on Government Procurement (GPA) provides for open, fair and transparent conditions of competition in government procurement.  Both agreements raise a blend of legal, policy, governance and developmental issues, with their social and economic significance exemplified during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Competition policy is linked with both the IP system and public procurement policy, with growing interest in its trade policy context.  

The WTO's Intellectual Property, Government Procurement and Competition Division (IPD) undertakes administrative, diplomatic, legal and policy functions relating to the TRIPS Agreement and related IP and public policy issues, including coordination on trade and public health more widely, the GPA and related issues of public procurement policy, and the relationship of competition policy with the multilateral trading system.  It supports the WTO's TRIPS Council and its Committee on Government Procurement.

IPD delivers technical assistance and capacity building programs and supports dispute settlement procedures in its areas of expertise.  It conducts analysis and research, and provides advice to senior management, on diverse legal and policy issues.  IPD coordinates the Secretariat's work on trade and health within the Secretariat and with partners such as the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the World Health Organization.  The Division undertakes outreach and dialogue with international and regional organisations, civil society and the private sector on issues under its responsibility.

The WTO Secretariat is seeking to fill the role of Director, IPD, to lead a team of around 25 staff members undertaking diverse legal, diplomatic, substantive, administrative and documentation responsibilities.

General Functions

The incumbent will:

1. Advise senior management on legal, policy, trade and diplomatic issues relating to the TRIPS Agreement, the GPA, and the general fields of IP law and policy, public procurement law and policy, competition policy, and related aspects of public health

2. Plan and lead the work of IPD, guiding and motivating staff, setting individual and divisional objectives, reviewing output and performance, and promoting staff training, development and knowledge management;

3. Initiate and oversee research and collaboration, and promote dissemination of information and policy insights, on the law and policy of TRIPS and IP, on the law and policy of the GPA and public procurement, on the law and policy of competition, and on aspects of trade, IP and public health;

4. Serve WTO Members and Observers, and build relations and promote positive engagement with a wide array of external partners and stakeholders, and provide policy and practical support to Chairpersons of the TRIPS Council and the Committee on Government Procurement and to Member and Observer delegations;

5. Plan and manage IPD technical assistance and capacity building for developing country and LDC Members, coordinating with external partners; guide IPD contributions to trade policy reviews and other Secretariat monitoring processes;

6. Manage IPD documentation and information services, in particular the e-TRIPS and e-GPA platforms;

7. Represent the WTO Secretariat in international fora, public conferences and academic programs; and

8. Undertake other tasks assigned by the Director-General or Deputy Director-General, including participation on Secretariat committees and bodies.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

An advanced university degree in law, with a strong component on the law of intellectual property including its international dimension.

Knowledge and Skills:

Technical Knowledge and Skills:

The Director of IPD must demonstrate an expert, up to date standard of knowledge in international and domestic IP law and policy, and an excellent knowledge of the developmental, institutional, legal and policy context of the work of the WTO, with a particular focus on the TRIPS Agreement.  Knowledge of and experience with the trade dimension of government procurement policy, especially concerning the WTO Agreement on Government Procurement, would be an asset. S/he must possess a high level of communication skills, oral and written; expert drafting and publishing skills in English, including ability to draft and expertly edit written legal analysis; ability to establish strategic partnerships and maintain strong networks with WTO members and external partners; and a high level of political awareness and sensitivity and solid diplomatic skills.

Behavioural Skills:

The successful candidate must have significant management and organizational skills (planning and organizing work, managing people and performance, managing resources). S/he must have the skills to guide, empower and motivate a team of over 20 staff members to excel in their jobs; must be able to build a team culture that consistently delivers high-quality results. Proven ability to interact and work with others in a diverse international setting in a harmonious and effective way is a must.

The successful candidate must have strong presentation and communication skills, intellectual flexibility including openness to other's views and ability to find solutions, and proven ability to work under tight deadlines and often under high levels of stress.

High ethical standards and the ability to ensure adherence by others to established rules of conduct are also required.

Work Experience:

At least fifteen years' experience in the law and policy of intellectual property trade and development, including in senior positions in government, the private sector and/or international organisations. Proven leadership and management experience, including managing multicultural teams.  The candidate will preferably have produced published works in the area of IP law and policy, including on the international dimension.

Experience in the area of public procurement policy and exposure to the GPA, and experience with the principles of competition policy and their implementation, while not obligatory, would also be assets.

Languages:

Fluent proficiency (speaking and writing) in English is required, with a strong capacity to review written work. Professional skills in at least one other working language of the WTO (French, Spanish) would be an advantage.

Additional Information:
 
Only applications from nationals of WTO Members will be accepted. 

The recruitment process will be undertaken as per Administrative Memorandum No. 976 (OFFICE(16)/15) on Staff Promotions and external recruitment through Vacancy Notices.

For non-entry level positions, the position may be offered at a lower grade if the selected candidate does not fully meet all the required qualifications. 

The initial fixed-term contract shall be two years, which shall be probationary, as per Administrative Memorandum No. 997 (OFFICE(23)/4) on Probation Policy.

The WTO may use various communication technologies such as video or teleconference for the assessment and evaluation of candidates. The recruitment process may also involve the use of various forms of testing, assessment centres, interviews and reference checks. 

Applicants may be required to sit a written examination. 

Applicants will be contacted directly if selected for an interview. 

Candidates not selected whose performance in the selection process nevertheless shows them to be suitable for a similar position may be kept on a roster for up to 24 months, and may subsequently be called upon as and when the need arises for additional resources.

All applicants are encouraged to apply online as soon as possible after the vacancy has been posted and well before the closing date – Geneva (Switzerland) time – stated in the vacancy announcement. 
PLEASE NOTE THAT APPLICATIONS RECEIVED AFTER THE CLOSING DATE WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. 
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