OFFICE( 20)/100 
20-8636 
 
 
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.  
______________________________________________________________________  
 
Vacancy Notice No.:  EXT/F/20-60 Issued on:  1 December  2020      
 
Title:  Buyer        Application Deadline:  4 January 2021      
 
Grade:  5   
 Division:  Administration and General 
Services Division       
 Contract Type:  Fixed -Term    
 
Starting Salary:  CHF 71,925  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), depe ndency 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/compensat ion_e.htm  
 
 
The Secretariat of the WTO is seeking to fill the position of Buyer in the Procurement 
Section of the Administration and General Services Division . 
 
INTERESTED APPLICANTS MUST ADD A COVER LETTER WHEN APPLYING FOR THIS 
VACANCY THROUGH THE WTO E -RECRUITMENT SYSTEM. APPLICATIONS WITHOUT A 
COVER LETTER WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.  
 
General Functions  
 
Reporting to the Chief of the Procurement Section and working closely with other members of the 
Procurement Section , the incumbent will  be expected , within designated authority , to undertake the 
following responsibilities:  
 
1.  Manage the various delegated procurement aspects in the procurement of services and goods 
for the WTO . 
 
2. Advise the Requesting Units and the recipient entities on a range of pr ocurement issues and 
provide support and guidance at all stages of the procurement process , within delegation . 
 
3. Prepare and refer invitations to tender for review and approval by the Chief of Section and 
manage/conduct delegated aspects of bid/proposal evaluation.  
 
4. Process purchase orders  using the WTO ERP system  and sign procurement orders up to 
authorized limits . 
 
5. Assist in preparing a variety of procurement related documents such as contracts, 
communications and instruct ions. 
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6. Perform other related duties as required.  
 
 
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS  
 
Education:  
 
Completion of secondary school. A recognized professional training and/or certification in the area 
of procurement (CIPS or equivalent) OR at least 3 years ' experience in a procurement role is 
required.  
 
Knowledge and Skills:  
 
Technical Knowledge and Skill s: 
 
Demonstrated knowledge of procurement standards . 
Working knowledge of the Public Procurement cycle.  
Understanding of Financial Rules and Regulations pertaining to  procurement procedures.  
 
Confident user of Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Ou tlook, PowerPoint) and the internet.  
 
Behavioural Skills:  
 
Problem solving skills.  
Planning and organizational skills, including ability to prioritize.  
Ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and working relations in a multi -cultural, 
multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.  
 
Capability to relate to and build relationships with colleagues; to communicate information in a clear 
way and understand information; to persuade others to a point of view using facts; to  present 
technical facts to knowledgeable specialised audiences.  
 
A solid team player including ability to work collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational 
goals; to solicit input by genuinely valuing others' ideas and expertise; to demonstra te the will to 
learn from others; to place team agenda before personal agenda; to support and act in accordance 
with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position.  
Confidentiality skills to ensure that information is accessible only to those authorised to have access.  
 
Work Experience:  
 
At least five years of relevant work experience in an international organization, government or in 
the private sector, two (three if no professional training and/or certification in procurement) of which 
working within a procurement function.  
 
Previous expe rience in market research and supplier management.  
 
Demonstrated experience going through the procurement cycle  on a diverse range of goods and 
services.  
 
Languages:  
 
Very good command of English and French, both oral and written, is required (at a level 
corresponding or equivalent to a minimum of C1 according to the Common European Framework of 
Reference for Languages (CEFR)).  
 
The language skills of shortlisted candidates will be assessed as part of the selection process.  
 
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  Additional Information:  
 
APPLICANTS MUST SUBMIT THEIR APPLICATIONS THROUGH THE E -RECRUITMENT SYSTEM ALONG 
WITH THEIR COVER LETTER OF MOTIVATION. Instructions to add the cover letter is as follows: Once 
the application for this position has been submitted, their application will be dis played under the "My 
Applications" tab. Applicants should click on the button "Add" for the specific vacancy under the 
"Covering letter" column. Cover letters added in other sections of the applicant profile such as 
"Additional Information" or "Additional Documents" will not be taken into consideration.  
 
The position may be offered at a lower grade if the selected candidate does not fully meet all the 
required qualifications.  
 
Only applications from nationals of WTO Members will be accepted.  
 
For WTO staff members on fixed -term or regular contracts, only those who have spent minimum 
two years on their current post are normally considered eligible to apply, as per administrative 
memorandum 976 paragraph 46.  
 
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.  
 
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.  
_____________________ _________________________________________________  
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 an o nline application  form.  
To apply, please visit the WTO's E -Recruitment website at: https://erecruitment.wto.org . 
The system provides instructions f or online application procedures.  
 
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 APP LICATIONS RECEIVED AFTER THE  
CLOSING DATE WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED  
 
The WTO is a non -smoking environment.