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21-0873 
 
 
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/L/2 1-05 Issued on:  2 February  2021 
 
Title:  Communications Officer  Application Deadline:  2 March  2021 
 
Grade:  7 
 Division:  Agriculture and Commodities  
 
Contract Type:  Fixed -term 
 
Starting Salary:  CHF 90,472  net per annum  
(approximate)  Duration:  Two years with the possibility of 
extension subject to availability of funds and 
incumbent's level of performance.  
 
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 deductio ns 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 Secretariat of the WTO is seeking to fill the position of Communications Officer to 
work in the Secretariat of the Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF), housed 
in the Agriculture and Commodities Division. The STDF is a global partnership tha t 
promotes improved food safety, animal and plant health in  developing countries. This 
helps imports and exports to meet sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) requirements for 
trade, based on international standards . 
 
 
General Functions  
 
Under the supervision a nd guidance of the Head of the STDF and/or a senior officer in the STDF 
section, and in close collaboration with Secretariat staff, consultants and STDF members, the 
Communications Officer will actively support the preparation and implementation of STDF's 
communications and outreach strategy and promote STDF's profile and visibility among the SPS and 
broader trade and development community, including in developing countries. This will involve the 
following functions:  
  
1. Write, edit and produce high -quality, user -friendly and targeted communications materials for 
outreach and dissemination of knowledge and information on STDF's work, ranging from news stories 
for the STDF website, briefing notes, blogs, to publications, presentations, press releases, etc.  
 
2. Using key performance indicators, collect qualitative and quantitative data to monitor and 
report on the use and reach of STDF communication, knowledge and information products, and 
identify ways to improve STDF's visibility and reach.  
 
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  3. Manage the STDF website, including the STDF Library, and be a thought leader on its optimal 
structuring and format.  
 
4. Expand STDF's social media presence through the generation of content, including text, 
photos, videos and audio for use across the STDF's website a nd social media channels.  
 
5. Engage with STDF founding partners, donors and other relevant organizations, partnerships 
and initiatives and coordinate the communication efforts, to leverage on their expert networks to 
disseminate information on the STDF, i ts knowledge products and project work.  
 
6. Build and nurture long -term relationships with relevant media outlets and manage media 
relations, engagement and monitoring and tracking of STDF coverage in external media.  
 
7. Assist in the preparation of STDF's Annual Report, strategy, work plans and budget, in close 
collaboration with other STDF colleagues.   
 
8. Contribute to communications around the STDF leading and/or participating in global, regional 
and other events.  
 
9. Perform any other tasks that may be assigned as part of the work of the Secr etariat.  
 
In carrying out his/her responsibilities above, the Communications Officer will be expected to work 
closely with technical and communications staff in the WTO Secretaria t, and other STDF partners, 
i.e. the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the World Organisation for 
Animal Health (OIE), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Bank Group, including the 
Secretariats of the Codex Alimen tarius Commission and the International Plant Protection 
Convention, as well as other relevant regional and international organizations, donors and public 
and private sector stakeholders in developing countries.  
 
 
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS  
 
Education:  
 
Under graduate and Master's degree in journalism, communications, public policy, political sciences , 
international relations or a related discipline.  
 
Knowledge and Skills:  
 
Technical knowledge and skills:  
 
Excellent writing skills with an ability to understand,  synthesize and communicate technical topics in 
a user -friendly way, demonstrated by a strong experience in the preparation of a range of different 
high-quality and polished written materials in English.   
Understanding of trade and development issues and of the institutional dynamics with key players 
for the STDF in governments, private sector and media.  
Ability to engage and work collaboratively with others to successfully deliver different types of 
communication products using diverse media.     
 
Behavio ural skils:  
 
Excellent interpersonal capabilities including: capability to communicate complex abstract ideas to 
a diverse audience and understand ideas when communicated by others; capability to make 
compelling presentations on a variety of subjects to a wider variety of audiences; capability to work 
as a member of a team, relating to others, while working independently to achieve his/her 
objectives; capability to persuade others to a point of view using facts; and capability to initiate and 
build relation ships with a variety of people both inside and outside the organization.  
Highly motivated, proactive and accountable.  
Excellent organizational skills including eye for detail.  
Ability to work effectively in a fast -paced office environment, both independently and as part of a 
global team across time zones.  
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  Work Experience:  
 
Three to five years of relevant work experience at the minimum, preferably more than five years , 
in communications, with experience with the full range of print, audio, video  and online 
communications tools and techniques, including web and social media. Relevant experience working 
with stakeholders in developing countries on trade or development.  
 
Languages:  
 
Fluency in English  (at a level corresponding or equivalent to a minimum of C1 according to the 
Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)) , including the ability to draft 
accurately, concisely and rapidly for diverse audiences, including in developing countries. Good 
knowledge of at lea st one of WTO's other working languages (French or Spanish , minimum B2 level 
according to CEFR ) is also required . Knowledge of the third WTO working language would be a 
strong asset.  
 
Shortlisted candidates will be asked to provide proof of their language  skills under a recognized 
framework (e.g. CEFR, IELTS, etc.) unless the language in question is their mother tongue. The 
language skills of shortlisted candidates who are unable to provide proof of their language proficiency 
will be assessed as part of th e 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 nationals of WTO Members will be accepted.  
 
The WTO is commi tted to a diverse and inclusive work environment and encourages qualified 
candidates from the following Least -developed countries (LDCs) to apply:  
Afghanistan, Angola, Bangladesh, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Central African Republic, 
Chad, Demo cratic Republic of the  Congo , Djibouti, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Haiti, Lao 
People’s Democratic Republic, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique , 
Myanmar, Nepal, Niger, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Tanza nia, Togo, Uganda, 
Vanuatu, Yemen, Zambia.  
 
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, as sessment 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 res ources.  
______________________________________________________________________  
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 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.  
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  PLEASE NOTE THAT APPLICATIONS RECEIVED AFTER THE  
CLOSING DATE WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED  
 
The WTO is a non -smoking environment.