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21-3149 
 
 
 
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/21 -16 Issued on:  15 April 2021 
 
Title:  Head of Office of Internal Oversight  Application Deadline:  13 May 2021 
 
Grade:  10 
 Division:  Office of Internal Oversight  
 
Contract Type:  Fixed -term 
 
Starting Salary:  CHF 160,669  net per annum  
(approximate)  Duration:  Five (5) years  non renewable, 
with a probation period of one (1) year . 
 
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, ren tal 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 Secretariat of the WTO is seeking to fill the position of Head of the Office of Internal 
Oversight . 
 
 
General Functions  
 
The Office of Internal Oversight (OIO) provide s for a professional, independent, objective and 
documented assessment, through all a ppropriate means, of management practices, expenses, 
budgetary control and allegations of misconduct in all its forms  at the WTO .  
 
Reporting to the Director -General, the incumbent will lead the OIO and be responsible for the 
following:  
 
1. Assist the Dir ector-General in fulfilling his/her internal oversight responsibilities in respect of 
management, staff and resources of the WTO, by conducting administrative investigations, internal 
audits, inspections, evaluations and other forms of assessment.   
 
2. Lead and manage the overall work of the OIO team, currently composed of three (3) persons . 
Prioritize and plan the use of resources and budget to achieve the required outputs and results for 
the OIO. Provide guidance to OIO staff members  in carrying out their work, set out the ir performance 
objectives and assess their performance.  
 
3. Lead th e investigation , internal audit, inspection  and evaluation  functions of the organization, 
establishing a credible system for ensuring compliance, risk mitigation and accountability.  
 
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  4. Lead and conduct administrative investigations, in accordance with ap plicable policies, 
procedures, standards and jurisprudence.  
 
5. Develop a risk -based oversight plan to undertake  management, performance (value -for-
money), financial and compliance audits. Build client and stakeholder confidence by providing  audit 
oversigh t that serves to mitigate risks and validate the integrity of control systems and quality of 
delivery.  
 
6. Undertake ad -hoc inspections and evaluations to identify malfunctions and vulnerable areas, 
assess output results and propose corrective action.  
 
7.  Promote a culture of accountability and strengthen the ethical climate within  the WTO 
Secretariat.  
 
8. Liaise and coordinate the oversight  coverage with the External Auditor.  
 
9. Prepare and submit reports on findings and recommendations to t he Director -General . Prepare 
and present the OIO annual activity report to the Director -General and the Committee on Budget, 
Finance and Administration (CBFA) . 
 
10. Identify new strategic initiatives , review and recommend organization -wide policies on areas 
such as operational risk management and further develop  relevant investigation and audit policies, 
procedures, guidelines and methodologies.  
 
11. Support the Director -General and Senior Management by providing reports, briefings and 
other information and  advice as required.  
 
 
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS  
 
Education:  
 
Advanced university degree in law, business administration, finance, audit, forensics , human 
resources,  or a related field.  
 
Certified Internal Audit or (CIA)  or Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE),  or other similar professional 
accreditation is required.  An additional professional certification in accounting, audit, evaluation s, 
investigation s, or related designation such as CA, CPA, CISA  and ACCA would be an asse t. 
 
Knowledge and Skills:  
 
Technical Knowledge and Skills:  
 
Proven performance and people management skills, as well as planning and organisational skills 
(capacity to plan and organi ze work, manag e people and performance, optimize  time and resources , 
etc.). 
 
Capability to develop a clear strategy; solid problem -solving  skills; knowledge of best practice and 
ability to apply it to the organization appropriately . 
 
Ability to ensure the independence of the OIO and to further enhance its authority, credibility , trust  
and professionalism  while at the same time nurturing the  proactive and participative nature of the 
oversight function . 
 
Proven expe rience at a senior level in condu cting administrative investigations, including into 
complex and/or sensitive allegations of fraud, harassment and other types of misconduct. Ability to 
conduct high -level investigations in a confidential, thorough, sensitive and timely manner , and in 
accordance with  internationally accepted investigation  standards  and pratices as well as applicable 
policies and procedure s. Knowledge of the ILO Administrative Tribunal  jurisrpudence  as it relates to 
administrative investigations . 
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  Extensive knowledge of internal auditing standards and practices; audit tools and techniques and 
the assessment of risks, management systems and practices, internal controls, and utilization of 
resources.  
 
Proven ability to  produc e credible and timely reports on complex subject  matters.  
 
Behavioural Skills:  
 
The following interpersonal capabilities are required:  
− To develop  and maintain reliable and trustful working relationships with a variety of people , at 
all levels of seniority,  both inside and outside the organisation;   
− To understand complex information; and be able to communicate and present  it, both orally and 
in writing,  in a clear and concise way;  
− To lead by example , and efficiently and effectively manage a group of people  in their day -to-day 
work;   
− To work in a team where supporting and gaining the support of others is important to achieving 
her/his objectives ; 
− To persuade others to a point of view using facts  and present ing technical facts to knowledgeable 
specialised au diences;   
− To cope with and resolve conflicts by interpreting provided guidelines on how to resolve them 
and 
− To be able to work in a multi -cultural, multi -ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for 
diversity.  
 
The incumbent must demonstrate integrity, honesty and discretion in all matters. He/she shall abide 
by the highest ethical standards  at any time . 
 
Work Experience:  
 
A minimum of ten years  of progressively responsible experience in inspections, internal audit, 
administrative investigation s, or other directly relevant experience,  including at least five years of 
international experience at a senior management level.  
  
Proven ability to effi ciently and effectively manage a team of professionals.  
   
Experience working for an international or multilateral organization would be an asset.  
 
Languages:  
 
Excellent knowledge of either English and French (at a level corresponding or equivalent to a 
minimum of C1 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)) 
is required, and a working level of the other language (either English  or French) (at a level 
corresponding or equivalent to a minimum of B2 according to the CEFR), including the ability to write 
accurately and quickly in both of the two languages.  
 
A working knowledge of Spanish  is highly desirable.  
 
The language skills o f shortlisted candidates will be assessed as part of the selection process.  
 
Additional Information:  
 
The position may be offered at a lower grade if the selected candidate does not fully meet all the 
required qualifications.  
 
Only applications from nation als 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 checks.  
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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 24 months, and may subsequently 
be call ed 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 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 encouraged to apply online as soon as possible after the vacancy has  
been posted and well before the closing dat e – Geneva (Switzerland) time –  
stated in the vacancy announcement.  
 
PLEASE NOTE THAT APPLICATIONS RECEIVED AFTER THE  
CLOSING DATE WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED  
 
The WTO is a non -smoking environment.