Roberto CASTELO BRANCO COELHO DE SOUZA
Curriculum Vitae
Personal Data
Name: Roberto Castelo Branco Coelho de Souza
Birth: 21 February 1954, Sao Luís (Brazil)
Residence: Route de Florissant, 11 - 1206 Geneva - Switzerland
Citizenship: Brazilian
Family: Married, two children
Telephone: Home: 346.64.80 Office: 338.94.02Education
Degree in Electronics Engineering - 1976
University - Pontifícia Universidade Católica (Rio de Janeiro)
Specialization - Telecommunications
Dissertation - Economic Analysis of Transmission Systems Utilizing Reliability CriteriaSpecialized Training
Digital Switching Systems
Telecommunications Networks
Database Design Methodologies
Marketing Systems
Economics Engineering
Strategic PlanningLanguages
Portuguese Mother tongue
English Excellent
French Excellent
Italian Excellent
Spanish Very goodSummarized Profile
More than 22 years of professional experience including comprehensive 12.5 years international experience in various organizations of the United Nations System, complemented with national experience in a major industry, a major Brazilian state company and its national research and development center. Strong international background and sensitivity to international politics. Thorough knowledge of development cooperation issues related to rural, agricultural, health and intellectual property activities. Sound diplomatic experience consolidated through the liaison with high level international civil servants, government representatives and diplomatic officials, coordination of major international events and negotiation of technical assistance and multilateral cooperation projects.
Summarized Professional Experience
1. WIPO - World Intellectual Property Organization
Duty Station: Geneva - August 1996 to present
Position - Director, Conference and Operational Services DivisionResponsibilities:
i) Direct the largest division of WIPO to ensure the provision of administrative services for the proper and smooth functioning of the organization.
ii) Overall and managerial responsibilities for all procurement of goods and services. Coordination of tender process, contract negotiations and awarding of local and global procurement. Responsibilities include the provision of worldwide travel services.
iii) Provision of Conference Services for all WIPO meetings in Geneva and all over the world. Coordination of logistics and facilities management, liaison with delegations, provision of services such as interpretation, documents preparation and distribution, organization of meeting agenda, etc.
iv) Management of WIPO Publications Program. Coordination and preparation of WIPO Publications in all official languages (English, French, Spanish, Arabic, Russian and Chinese) and other languages (German, Italian, Portuguese). Operations of in-house print-shop and contracting of external printing services. Administration of the Publications Sales and Distribution Program.
v) Management of WIPO global communications services to ensure the provision of modern and efficient communications with member governments, government institutions and operational counterparts.
vi) Support of development cooperation activities through the provision of equipment and services to government institutions.
vii) Liaise with Permanent Representatives and Missions to ensure coordination of government policy priorities and requirements vis-à-vis WIPO administration services and activities.
HIGH LEVEL ASSIGNMENTS IN WIPO
i) Member of the Information Technology Task Force created by the Director General to undertake the analysis of proposals received from member governments for the establishment of a Global Intellectual Property Network. The Task Force consulted with high level government officials, UN organizations, major information technology suppliers, national patent and copyright offices and assisted the Director General in the preparation of proposals concerning network services, budget and institutional framework.
ii) Member of the Premises Task Force created by the Director General to analyze alternatives for the preparation of premises proposals to accommodate WIPO's growing needs.
iii) Missions to developing countries to analyze intellectual property requirements, needs for the development of related infrastructures and services, requirements to develop human resources at all levels and the identification of elements to prepare sustainable cooperation for development programs integrated to the governments' policies and strategies.
2. FAO, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Duty Station: Rome - February 1993 - July 1996
Position - Chief, Communications and Central Records BranchResponsibilities:
i) Management of the global operations of FAO communications systems based on state-of-the-art communications technology including satellite systems, optic fibre and laser systems, digital switching and transmission equipment.
ii) Implementation of INTERNET services. Analysis of possible means to network INTERNET users. Liaison with user divisions to evaluate operational requirements.
iii) Specify Electronic Records Management Systems requirements and coordinate efforts to develop computerized tools including automated indexing and retrieval procedures, optical disc storage requirements and overall system capacities.
iv) Responsible for administration/development of Organization's records and archives programme; ensure technical supervision of Organization's decentralized registries.
v) Preparation of the annual spending programme and biennial budget. Prepare background papers for submission of projects to governing bodies.
vi) Project Manager of the Integrated Voice and Data Communications Network (IVDN) Task Force with management responsibilities to:
- undertake technical negotiations with the telephone exchange and data network system suppliers to reach optimal contractual conditions.
- Achieve the project deadlines established by senior management and deliver the network communications systems in line with international standards.
- Manage the project development to ensure that implementation is performed according to contract. Observe budget and contingency funds and to activate the new systems with satisfactory performance.
- Liaise with Computer Services and organizational units to ensure that FAO data and voice communications network requirements were covered by the IVDN project.
vii) Manage the overall operations of the FAO communications systems including supervision of telephone, telex, fax and e-mail services. Ensure proper backcharging procedures and monitor service levels and costs.
viii) Administration of the diplomatic pouch services to ensure that official correspondence is dispatched within the organization's requirements and under the most cost effective conditions. Overall supervision of the internal distribution services to ensure that correspondence is delivered on a timely basis.
3. WHO - World Health Organization
Duty Station: Geneva - September 1990 - February 1993
Position - Chief, Records Management and CommunicationsResponsibilities:
i) Management of overall global communication services. Ensure that services are handled through the most cost effective means. Liaise with information technology division for the introduction of official procedures to be adapted to the new system's operations requirements.
ii) Manage the operations of official archives, central and branch registries. Responsible for the classification, routing and distribution services. Ensure that in-house procedures are observed and suggest improvements.
iii) Develop a Computerized Records Management System to classify, index, store and retrieve official documents and correspondence.
iv) Responsible for the radio systems and rental of public communications facilities. Coordinate the Communications requirements for the organization of annual World Health Assembly. Responsible for the functioning of interpretation equipment. Analyzed proposals for the introduction of an electronic voting system.
v) Management of the operations of digital telephone systems and associated computer equipment that handle and control the communications network facilities. Supervise maintenance services and negotiate contractual conditions with supplier.
vi) Prepare budget and manage and control disbursements. Authorize payments within budget allocations and prepare monthly reports. Coordinate the training of staff and users to properly operate new services.
vii) Administration of the mailing operations including diplomatic pouch for WHO regional and field offices. Negotiate contractual agreements with Public Communications Administrations and Courier Services. Liaise with organizational units for the large distribution of publications and press kits.
4. IFAD - International Fund for Agricultural Development of the United Nations
Duty Station: Rome - September 1985 - September 1990
Position - Records Management and Communications Officer (1985-87)
Computer Operations and Communications Support Officer (1987-90)Responsibilities:
i) Develop and implement IFAD's automated Records Management System and install an Office Automation System in connection with communications services. Analyze various software packages available on the market.
ii) Carry out cost benefit studies for potential improvements of records management systems, communications efficiency and overall office automation systems. Prepare technical specifications for tender and evaluate offers. Participate in UN related meetings.
iii) Provide efficient communications systems, plan and make proposals for updating of equipment. Specify technical assistance and support for telecommunications operations. Liaise with PTT to determine and specify network requirements.
iv) Installation and operation of communications facilities implemented through an international network consisting of a Rome-Geneva satellite link, various data communications lines to FAO, WFP and in-house systems.
v) Operate and maintain IFAD's computer systems and communications network. Data processing facilities provided by the United Nations' International Computer Center in connection with in-house computer systems for word processing and PCs for micro-computer applications.
vi) Manage Communications Support Services, develop and implement procedures for reviewing user requirements, prepare training programmes for applications systems and software packages. Liaise with systems development team for setting up development environment and resolving operational issues related to applications programmes.
5. TELEBRAS Research and Development Centre (CPQD - Brazilian PTT R&D Telecommunications Centre)
Duty Station: Campinas - January 1980 - August 1985
Position - Chief, Industrial Property and Documentation Services (January 1980 - August 1983)Responsibilities:
i) Development of the Technology Transfer System to support and control technology transfer of projects in the areas of communications switching, transmission systems, satellite communications, data package network systems, laser and optical fibre systems.
ii) Prepare, in liaison with inventors, the patent applications for inventions developed in the Research and Development Centre. Development of a system to keep track of the Centre's innovation process.
iii) Responsible for the patent application follow up process, liaise with INPI (Instituto Nacional da Propriedade Industrial) for the fulfillment of all procedural application and registration requirements.
iv) Responsible for the trademarks of products developed in the Centre. Liaise with INPI for the registration procedures.
v) Manage the Industrial Property Services including the Centre's Library with direct responsibilities to develop automatic access to international patent and bibliographic databases through modern communications networks. Coordinate the Library service operations and develop inter-library exchange programmes for holdings and publications.
vi) Develop an Indexing thesaurus adjusted to the Centre' needs and adapted to the search of research and development patent information. The social and economic levels were based on UNESCO's SPINES. Specific levels were developed in-house, in cooperation with specialized universities.
vii) Maintain a computerized database of patent applications and innovations produced by the Centre. The system allowed easy selection and retrieval of patent information according to a variety of search criteria.
Position - Assistant to the R&D Director - (August 1983 - August 1985)
i) Assist the Research and Development Director in identifying TELEBRAS' operating companies' requirements for new communications systems. Carry out market research analyzing various development scenarios of technology and national economy.
ii) Coordinate the design, development, prototyping and implementation of the R&D Management Information System. The system allows Departments to keep track of documents related to project activities, manpower allocation, financial costs, industry co-financed activities and technical documentation.
iii) Liaise with universities with proved scientific capacities in the fields of electronics and communications (PUC-RJ, USP, UNICAMP and ITA) to discuss basic and applied research project activities of common interest. Tie up University project activities with the framework of TELEBRAS research and development programme.
iv) Identify Brazilian industries with the potential for participating in the Ministry of Communications' industrial policy and to negotiate technology transfer and share of market for nationally developed telecommunications systems.
v) Member of the Research and Development Steering Committee which analyses computer system requirements and proposes alternatives for hardware and software developments.
6. TELMA - Telecomunicações do Maranhão S.A.
Duty Station: Sao Luís - February 1977 - December 1979
Position - Chief, Engineering DivisionResponsibilities:
i) Prepare overall plan for installation and maintenance for telecommunications systems. Coordinate acceptance and testing of contracted services and finalize network requirements. Design telecommunications systems to support the functioning of large industrial areas including the CARAJAS mining project.
ii) Prepare annual budget for submission to HQ for approval. Identify priorities for telecommunications systems and implement strategy to satisfy the need to network important cities, to the state owned network.
iii) Undertake cost benefit analysis for the installation of communications systems. Prepare tender specifications and analyze offers received from various suppliers. Discuss contractual conditions and certify that they meet the company's needs.
iv) Coordinate systems operations and maintenance activities to ensure service levels are within the specifications of HQ. Specify back up and emergency systems for government institutions and authorities.
7. ITT - Standard Electric
Duty Station: Rio de Janeiro - January 1975 - February 1977
Position: Telecommunications Systems InstructorResponsibilities:
i) Carry out training of engineers and technical staff on ITT's communications systems including hardware, software and products in the switching and transmission areas. The training included the staff of ITT and PTT operating companies.
ii) Analyze specific system requirements and prepare a training programme for installation and operations personnel. Prepare for the testing of new systems (hardware and software) and new releases on the following areas:
- Digital switching (public exchanges and private PABXs)
- Satellite ground stations
- Multiplexors, modems and radio systems8. HIGH LEVEL ASSIGNMENTS
i) Vice-Chairman of the World Food Summit Coordination Committee (Heads of State Meeting with approximately 10,000 participants held in FAO - Rome). Coordination of protocol arrangements, security matters, communications, transportation and logistics for high level government delegations and NGOs. Preparation of fully computerized media and press centre for 2,000 journalists.
ii) FAO Representative in the UN High Level Inter-Agency Communications Committee created with the mandate to assist the United Nations in the development of the UN global telecommunications network.
iii) Manager of the Task Force established to modernize the FAO communications services and install a state-of-the-art backbone network to support communications services including access to INTERNET, office automation facilities and data communications requirements. Project includes integration of Regional Offices and FAO field offices around the world in the FAO global Telecom network.
iv) Member of the group invited to analyze satellite telecommunications networks systems to satisfy UN Peace Keeping and Humanitarian communications requirements and the possible use of these systems by the specialized agencies.
v) Official Representative of IFAD, WHO and FAO in the UN-ACCIS - United Nations Advisory Committee for the Coordination of Information Systems which analyzed development of Database Systems, Electronic Records Management, Telecommunications Systems, and Information Systems Management Technology.
vi) Member of the Committee nominated by the President of IFAD to analyze IFAD's information technology and organizational requirements, and propose implementation strategy. The Committee devised and designed the Telecommunications and Management Information System Programme.
9. OTHER IMPORTANT ASSIGNMENTS
i) Chairman of IFAD's 10th Anniversary Seminar Coordination Committee. Seminar was held in Brasilia, 1987. Coordination of arrangements with Brazilian Foreign Affairs Ministry (ITAMARATY) and Government of the Federal District of Brasilia.
ii) Assisted the Director Generals of IFAD, WHO and FAO in official visits to Brasilia. Met with Brazilian Presidents, Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Planning, Economics, Agriculture, Health, Industry and Trade and Governors of various Brazilian states, to discuss projects and development cooperation assistance in rural, agricultural, health and intellectual property areas.
iii) Various missions to assist other UN organizations and government institutions in technical and managerial aspects, coordination of human resources development programmes, administration of projects and related matters including contractual conditions, procurement of goods and services, cost benefit analysis, selection criteria, etc.
[Annex II follows]