OFFICE( 19)/83 
19-6231 
 
 
 
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/19 -65 Issued on:  27 September 2019  
 
Title:  Economic Affairs Officer  Application Deadline:  25 October 2019   
 
Grade:  6 
 Division:  Trade in Services and Investment  
 
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, pensi on 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 Economic Affairs Office r in the 
Trade in Services  and Investment  Division.  
 
The Trade in Services and Investment Division provides support and technical advice to WTO 
members on the implementation of the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) and on 
further negotiations mandated by the Agreement.  It performs this role by supporting the Council for 
Trade in Services (both in regular and special session) as well as other bodies established under the 
GATS. These include the Committee on Financial Services, the Committee on Specific C ommitments, 
the Working Party on Domestic Regulation and the Working Party on GATS Rules.  
 
General Functions  
 
Under the supervision of the Director of the Trade in Services and Investment Division  and other 
senior colleagues , the incumbent will participate in the activities of the division. Ke y responsibilities  
include  the following : 
 
1. Data management , development  and analysis : Work on  the collection, coding, quantification 
and analysis of information on Members' services trad e policies and international commitments in 
the context of the Services module of the WTO Integrated Trade Intelligence Portal (I -TIP Services).   
 
2. Support Services bodies: Assist with the  activities of Services regular and negotiating bodies.   
 
3. Research: Contribut e to research on issues arising in the context of the appl ication  of the 
GATS, including for Secretariat notes and background documents, WTO publications, and other 
specific research projects.    
 
OFFICE( 19)/83 
 
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4. Technical assistance: Participat e in the delivery of technical assistance related to the GATS 
and trade in services.  
 
 
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS  
 
Education:  
 
Advanced university degree in economics  or a related subject , with a focus on international trade .  
 
Knowledge and Skills:  
 
Technical kn owledge and skills:  
 
Knowledge of international trade economics, services trade policy and regulation, the GATS,  and 
preferential agreements on trade in services.  
Strong  analytical skills . Ability to absorb substantial amounts of information rapidly and thoroughly.  
Excellent  drafting skills, including demonstrated ability to comm unicate precisely and concisely.  
Proficiency in MS suite of applications.  Proficiency in statistical software packages (e.g. STATA, R) .  
 
Behavioural skills:  
 
Solid organizational skills. Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.  
Strong sense of responsibility, accountability, and diplomacy.  
The following interp ersonal capabilities are required:  to relate to and build relationships with 
colleagues; to contribute to the collective good of the Division; to work well as a member of a team , 
while also capable of working independently to complete his/her assignments ; to communicate ideas 
and facts clearly .  
 
Work Experience:  
 
A minimum of t wo years of relevant experience, which may include experience gained in academic 
or research institution s. 
 
Languages:  
 
Excellent command of English, both oral and written , is required. A  good working knowledge of 
French  or Spanish would be an asset.   
 
English language is required at a level corresponding or equivalent to a minimum of C1 according to 
the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)) . Shortlisted c andidates 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 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 12 months, and may subsequently 
be called upon as and when the need arises for additional res ources.  OFFICE( 19)/83 
 
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APPLICANTS MAY BE REQUIRED TO SIT A WRITTEN EXAMINATION  
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APPLICANTS WILL BE CONTACTED DIRECTLY IF SELECTED FOR AN INTERVIEW  
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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 s ystem 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 announ cement.  
 
PLEASE NOTE THAT APPLICATIONS RECEIVED AFTER THE  
CLOSING DATE WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED  
 
The WTO is a non -smoking environment.