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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.  
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Vacancy Notice No.:   EXT/F/1 9-73 Issued on:   11 December  2019 
 
Title:   Legal/ Economic Affairs Officer  Application Deadline:   31 January  2020 
 
Grade:   6 
 Division:   Development  
 
Contract Type:   Fixed -term 
 
Starting Salary:   CHF 84,440  net per annum  
(approximate)  Duration:  Two years with the possibility of 
extension . 
 
Other 
Conditions:  In accordance with WTO Staff Regulations and Staff Rules and WTO Pension Plan 
Regulations.  
The World Trade Organization offers an attractive compensation package including 
an annual net salary (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions 
and health insurance), dependency benefits, pension plan, health insurance 
scheme, separation grant, and 30 days annual leave.  Benefits for internationally 
recruited staff may include travel and removal expenses on appointment and 
separation, installation grant, education grant, rental subsidy, and  home leave.  
Additional information on the compensation package is provided on the 
WTO website:  
https://www.wto.org/english/thewto_e/vacan_e/compensation_e.htm  
 
 
The Secretar iat of the WTO is seeking to fill a position of Legal/Economic Affairs Officer  
in the Aid-for-Trade Unit of the Development  Division .  
 
The Development Division i s the focal point for all policy issues related to trade and 
development. It monitors and prov ides input to senior management and the WTO 
Secretariat as a whole on issues relating to trade and development, including the 
participation of developing countries — especially least  developed countries (LDCs) — in 
the multilateral trading system.   
 
Genera l Functions  
 
Under the overall supervision of the Director of the Division  and reporting to the Head of the Aid -
for-Trade Unit , the incumbent will undertake the following responsibilities:  
 
1. Conduct research and analysis and prepare reports on issues related to Aid for Trade and 
provide information to delegates, colleagues, senior management and other intergovernmental 
organizations on this topic . 
 
2. Assist in the work on Aid for Trade carried out in the Committee for Trade and Development  
as well as in the preparation of biennal Global Reviews  including convening meetings, finalizing 
agendas, scheduling informal consultations, preparing briefs, etc.  
 
3. Support  the activities of the Aid-for-Trade  Unit with other inter -governmental agencies and 
regional  economic organizations involved  in the Aid -for-Trade Initiative . 
 
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4. Participate in delivering  technical assistance and training activities on Aid for Trade and 
development -related WTO matters in general .  
 
5. Develop expertise in Aid for Trade and development -related WTO matters in general.  
 
6. Participate in and contribute to other activities of the Division, as required.  
 
 
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS  
 
Education:  
 
Advanced university degree in economics , law or related field.  
  
Knowledge and Skills:  
 
Technical skills:  
 
Knowledge of issues related to Aid for Trade, including the concerns and constr aints of developing 
countries, least developed countries (LDCs) and small, vulnerable economies (S VEs) in this area.   
Know ledge of issues affecting the participation of developing countries in global trade . 
Knowledge of global aid effectiveness agenda, G -20, Aid -for-Trade agenda and the Sustainable  
Development  Goals  Agenda.   
Basic knowledge of relevant WTO Agreem ents and WTO system.   
Ability to conduct research and provide succinct analysis on policy issues . 
High level of drafting skills to be able to prepare reports, speeches, briefing notes, records of 
meetings, background papers and other correspondence for different audiences, including senior 
management.  
Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications such as Word, PowerPoint, Excel, etc.  
 
Behavioural skills:  
 
Excellent organizational skills.  
Ability to present technical facts to knowledgeable specialised audiences.  
Ability to work as a member of a team.  
Ability to build relationships with a variety of people both inside and outside the organization . 
Highly developed tact and discretion including political sensitivity.  
 
Work Experience:  
 
Minimum two years' relevant experience is required . Experience of work with or in developing 
countries or for other international organizations would  be an asset . 
 
Languages:  
 
Excellent knowledge of  English  (minimum C1 level according to the Common European Framework 
of Reference for Languages (CEFR) ). Knowledge of either French or Spanish  would be considered an 
asset.   
 
Shortlisted candidates will be assessed on their language skills as part of the selection process and 
may be asked to provide proof of their language skills under a recognized framework (e.g. CEFR, 
IELTS, UN Language Proficiency Exam, etc.).  
 
Additional Information:  
 
Only applications from nationals of WTO Members will be accepted.  
 
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 ch ecks. 
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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 12 months, and may subsequently 
be called upon as and when the need arises for additio nal resources.  
______________________________________________________________________  
APPLICANTS MAY BE REQUIRED TO SIT A WRITTEN EXAMINATION  
______________________________________________________________________  
APPLICANTS WILL BE CONTACTED DIRECTLY IF SELECTED FOR AN INTERVIEW  
______________________________________________________________________  
Please note that all candidates must complete a n online application  form.  
To apply, please visit the WTO's E -Recruitment website at: https://erecruitment.wto.org . 
The system provides instructions for online application procedures.  
 
All applicants are encoura ged 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 ACCEPTE D 
 
The WTO is a non -smoking environment.