OFFICE( 20)/78 
20-7214 
 
 
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/ 20-53 Issued on:  20 October  2020 
 
Title:  Dispute Settlement Lawyer  Application Deadline:  17 November  2020 
 
Grade:  7 
 Division:  Rules   
 
Contract Type:  Fixed -term 
 
Starting Salary:  CHF 90,472  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 gr ant, 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 in formation on the compensation package is provided on the 
WTO website:  
http://www.wto.org/english/thewto_e/vacan_e/comp_package_e.pdf.  
 
 
The Secretariat of the WTO is seeking to fill the position of Dispute Settlement Lawyer  in 
the Rules Division .  
 
The Rules Division is responsible for all aspects of WTO work , legal and technical,  in the areas of 
trade remedies (anti -dumping, countervailing and safeguard measures), subsidies, T rade-Related 
Investment Measures (TRIM S), civil aircraft, and state tradin g enterprises. The Rules Division 
facilitates and actively assists in negotiations, consultations  and monitoring tasks, provides legal 
and other assistance to dispute settlement panels considering disputes , and provides 
implementation assistance, counselli ng and expert advice to WTO Members , in each of these 
areas.  
 
 
General Functions  
 
1. Under the supervision of senior lawyers, deliver substantive legal advice and assistance to 
dispute settlement adjudicators . 
 
2. Under the supervision of senior lawyers, c onduct research on complex substantive legal and 
technical as well as procedural issues arising in the context of dispute settlement proceedings . 
Prepare written analyses of these and related issues as required.  
 
3. Under the supervision of senior staff, d eliver legal advice and assistance to chairpersons of 
WTO bodies and negotiating groups, other WTO Divisions, the Director -General and WTO Members 
on matters within the Division's areas of responsibility .  
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4. Under the supervision of senior staff, d eliver technical assistance and training on matters 
within the  Division's areas of responsibility . Contribute to the development of training material s, 
internal research materials, and WTO publications .  
 
 
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS  
 
Education:  
 
An ad vanced university degree in law, including studies in international trade law  and public 
international law . Studies in international economics would be an advantage, as would a licence or 
eligibility to be licensed to practice law in at least one municipal  jurisdiction.  
 
Knowledge and Skills:  
 
Technical knowledge and skills:  
 
Knowledge of international trade law  and f amiliarity with international legal and economic 
principles and issues ; familiarity  with adjudicative processes and practice, particularly  those of the 
WTO.  
 
Knowledge of the WTO Agreements and some familiarity with WTO jurisprudence is desirable . 
Knowledge of the specific WTO Agreements  within the Divison's areas of responsibility would  be an 
advantage, as would knowledge of national practices in trade remedies investigations.   
 
Excellent research, drafting and analytical skills and the ability to pay close attention to detail . The 
ability to present thoughts in a logical, succinct, and coherent manner, both orally and in written 
form.  The ability to  familiarize oneself quickly  and work with voluminous documentary records, and 
to extract therefrom and analyse information that is  often of highly technical , complex , and/or 
economic nature ; and the ability to produce legal research and contribute to a coherent team 
product under very high time pressure . 
 
Behavioural knowledge and skills:  
 
Highly developed tact and discretion and the ability to adhere rigorously to set rules of conduct 
ensuring confidentiality, impartiality and an absence of conflicts of interest.   
 
Ability to work independently as well as cooperate with others in a diverse international setting  as 
a member of a team that works under severe time pressure and resource constraints and must 
produce a coherent group product; to persuade others through sound argumentation and advice 
while remaining flexible and open to different points of view and evolving approaches; to meet 
strict deadlines within a dynamic work environment ; to develop and maintain  collegial , respectful  
and professional  relationships with colleagues  and adjudicators and , as appropriate, with  others 
both inside and outside the WTO, inclu ding representatives of Members .   
 
Work Experience:  
 
At least  three years relevant practical work experience as a lawyer , preferably including 
government  or private sector experience in national or international trade -related litigation and/or 
within international or national courts or adjudicative bodies or quasi -judicial agencies of Members .  
Experience in trade remedy investigations  would be an asset.   
 
Languages:  
 
Excellent English, including a demonstrated ability to write accurately, concisely, clearly and within 
tight deadlines. Knowledge of French and/or Spanish is desirable .  
 
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 candidates 
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.).   
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Additional Information:  
 
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 para graph  46. 
 
The WTO may use various communication technologies such as video or tele conference 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 proce ss 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 online application form.  
To apply, please visit the WTO's E -Recruitment website at: https://erecruitment.wto.org.  
The system provides in structions 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 N OTE THAT APPLICATIONS RECEIVED AFTER THE  
CLOSING DATE WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED  
 
The WTO is a non -smoking environment.