International Trade Specialist , the Commonwealth

Reference: PGCWG921
Location: Seychelles
Closing date: 19 November 2015
Contract duration: 1 year

Total remuneration: £47,760 + benefits

Legislation governing industrial property in Seychelles has undergone substantial overhaul in order to ensure Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) compliance for World Trade Organisation (WTO) Accession.  This overhaul has presented significant challenges to the Office of the Registrar General and practitioners especially in terms of new concepts being introduced within the legal and regulatory framework of the industrial property arena.  Among these are Patents, Trade Secrets and undisclosed information including access to Medicine issues and Biotechnology, industrial designs, geographical indications, and Layout Designs of Integrated Circuits.  Read more >>

Project purpose

The purpose of the project is to provide the Registrar’s Division, Department of Legal Affairs, with the necessary skills to implement the new legislation, strengthened capacity, and develop a comprehensive policy for the development of the Industrial Property Industry. 

The main activities are:

• Review of the current Industrial Property related legislation and policies and signal its complementarity to the implementation of Seychelles Industrial Property Act and TRIPS Agreement;
• Advise Registrar on policy development and Industrial property legislation;
• Preparation of draft policy documentation for the consideration of the of the Registrar General and submission to cabinet;
• On the job training.  This will include capacity building exercises, utilising practical “live” cases, primarily for staff within the Registrar General’s Office.  Assist staff in the correct implementation of the Industrial Property legislation;
• Workshops to benefit both practitioners and policy makers involved in the processes and new structures relating to the Industrial Property Industry.

Scope of Work and Outputs of the assignment will include:

• Comprehensive policies developed  and strategic advice provided to the Registrar General, Trade Division, Ministry of Finance, Trade and Investment, and relevant stakeholders responsible for Industrial Property;
• Relevant policy documentation e.g. Industrial Property policy papers; Guidelines on implementation processes, practice directives, prepared and submitted to Registrar General and relevant stakeholders as advised by reporting officer;
• Legislation and policies reviewed in light of the implementation of all matters associated with the Industrial Property.
• Stakeholder engagement and consultation facilitated as required, including the establishment of stakeholder bodies where necessary;
• Capacity building notably “on the job training” undertaken, to include practical implementation of Industrial Property initiatives.  Predominantly this will cover all staff within the Office of the Registrar General and Ministry of Finance, Trade Division, and extended to Ministries and Offices directed associated with the Industrial Property Industry as appropriate. 
• Workshops demonstrating and advising relevant stakeholders on Industrial Property aspects, the necessary policy directives, new processes and implementation, including that of the WTO and TRIPS Agreements, undertaken and documented

​Reporting and transfer of Expertise

The Commonwealth Fund for Technical Cooperation (CFTC) attaches particular importance to the transfer of expertise and knowledge to assigned counterparts and champions within host institutions.  

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Postgraduate degree in International Trade, Trade, Law, Economics or related. 
• Extensive expertise in Industrial Property and its link with WTO and TRIPS, desirable.
• Must have at least 15 years’ post qualification experience in Trade and Trade Policy with significant governance experience. Experience in any of the following key areas would be a distinct advantage: Trade Policy development; Trade Policy Implementation and management; Trade Law, Economic sector development.
• Demonstrated experience of working at a senior level of government, providing advice to ministers and senior officials.
• Demonstrated leadership and project management experience working with trade and trade related management.
• Experience in human capacity development by way of mentoring, and, providing technical direction and guidance to professional and inexperienced staff is essential.
• Experience of working in small island state jurisdiction and with stakeholders from a range of background, with ability to manage diverse teams and partner relationships.
• Respect for diversity and ability to adapt to different cultural settings.

Deadline for applications is 17:00 GMT on 19 November 2015.

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