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20-3586 
 
 
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/20-27 Issued on:  14 May 2020       
 
Title:  Buyer        Application Deadline:  11 June 2020      
 
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), 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 su bsidy, 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 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 t he 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 procurement aspects in the worldwide procurement of diverse services 
and commodities . 
 
2. Advise the Requesting Units and the recipient entities on the full range of procurement issues 
and provide support and guidance at all stages of the procurement process . 
 
3. Prepare and iss ue invitations to tender and manage/conduct all aspects of bid/proposal 
evaluation.  
 
4. Process purchase orders  using WTO ERP system  and sign procurement orders up to authorized 
limits . 
 
5. Assist in preparing a variety of procurement related documents su ch as contracts, 
communications and instructions.  
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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) is required.  
 
Knowledge and Skills:  
 
Technical Knowledge and Skills:  
 
Demonstrated knowledge of internationally recognized procurement standards . 
Working knowledge of the Public Procurement cycle  and the Project Management cycle. 
Knowledge and good understanding of Financial Rules and Regulations of International Organizations 
focusing on the administration of procurement procedures.  
 
Very good command  of English and French, both oral and written , including demonstrated abil ity to 
revise  and draft documents in the two languages . 
 
Confident user of Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) and the internet.  
 
Behavioural Skills:  
 
Problem solving skills.  
Planning and organizational skills, including abili ty 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 demonstrate 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 expe rience in an international organization, government or in 
the private sector, two of which working within a procurement function.  
 
Previous experience in market research and supplier management.  
 
Demonstrated experience in establishing contracts on a diver se 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) ).  
 
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 t o provide proof of their language proficiency 
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 displayed under the "My 
Applications" tab. Applicants should click on the button "Add" for the specific vacancy under t he 
"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 candi date does not fully meet all the 
required qualifications.  
 
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 resources.  
______________________________________________________________________  
APPLICANTS MAY BE REQUIRED TO SIT  A WRITTEN EXAMINATION  
______________________________________________________________________  
APPLICANTS WILL BE CONTACTED DIRECTLY IF SELECTED FOR AN INTERVIEW  
______________________________________________________________________  
Please note that all can didates 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 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.  
 
PLEASE NOTE THAT APPLICATIONS RECEIVED AFTER THE  
CLOSING DATE WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED  
 
The WTO is a non -smoking environment.