OFFICE( 20)/11 
20-0997 
 
 
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 -12 Issued on:  10 February 2020  
 
Title:  Editor  Application Deadline:  5 March 2020 
 
Grade:  7 
 Division:  Trade Policies Review  
 
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 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 informatio n 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 Editor in the Trade Policies 
Review Division . 
 
The Trade Policies Review Division supports the work of the Director -General and WTO 
members under the Trade Policy Review Mechanism (Annex 3 of the WTO Agreement), 
which includes preparing periodic reports on members’ trade policies, servicing meetings 
of the Trade  Policy Review Body, at which reviews of members’ policies are carried out. 
The Division is in charge of preparing the Director -General’s annual report on the 
Overview of Developments in the International Trading Environment. In addition, it serves 
the Com mittee on Regional Trade Agreements and the Committee on Balance -of-
Payments Restrictions, and provides support to the Doha Round Negotiating Group on 
Rules where it relates to regional trade agreements. The Division produces the periodic 
reports by the Di rector -General that monitor recent trade policy developments for the 
entire membership and for G20 economies.  
 
 
General Functions  
 
Under the supervision of the Director, the incumbent will perform the following functions:  
 
1. Edit Trade Policy Review (TPR)  and Trade Monitoring reports drafted by the Secretariat in 
English, and ideally in French and/or Spanish as well if needed. This includes improving the editorial 
quality of TPR reports and ensuring their conformity with WTO terminology and style.  
 
2. Ensure alignment of editorial standards with current editing and publishing practices.  
 
3. Provide drafting suggestions to report writers.  
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4. Provide inputs to the finalization of TPR reports for publication.  
 
5. Maintain up -to-date statistics on trade policy  reviews undertaken and due, based on Members' 
share in world trade (to ensure the correct frequency of reviews for each Member, in line with the 
Trade Policy Review Mechanism mandate).  
 
6. Provide inputs for the preparation of the Annual Report of the Trade Policy Review Body 
(TPRB).  
 
 
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS  
 
Education:  
 
Advanced university degree or equivalent in English, International Relations, Economics or a relevant 
discipline. Alternatively, a basic university degree in the afore -mentioned discip lines combined with 
proven professional expertise equivalent to an advanced university degree.  
Professional editing qualifications (e.g. certificate and/or certification in editing) is required.  
 
Knowledge and Skills:  
 
Technical knowledge and skills:  
 
Knowledge of the WTO in general; familiarity with the WTO Agreements and terminology would be 
an advantage. General understanding of the structure, substance, and objectives of the Trade Policy 
Review Mechanism.  
Familiarity and experience with following esta blished editorial styles and policies.  
Good re -drafting, editorial and proofreading skills; this includes the ability to identify inaccuracies; 
the ability to thoroughly verify information, references, quotations, and citations; the ability to 
identify po tentially sensitive issues in written texts; the ability to assess whether problematic 
language constructions or ambiguities are language -related or factual; and the ability to substantiate 
editorial decisions or suggestions with tact and sensitivity.  
Expertise in MS suite of applications, including proficiency in MS Excel, Word, PowerPoint and 
Outlook. Awareness of IT tools that help editorial work would be considered an asset.  
 
Behavioural skills:  
 
Attention to detail and accuracy.  
Ability to work under  strict deadlines, and to prioritize and manage multiple tasks.  
Ability to exercise initiative and good judgement; to engage in ongoing review of relevant practices, 
tools and systems, and continuously propose and implement improvements.  
Strong interperso nal skills including the capability to relate to and build relationships with a wide 
range of individuals and teams; capability to communicate information in a clear way and understand 
information (e.g. substantiating and explaining editorial decisions or drafting suggestions with tact 
and sensitivity, providing clear and detailed guidance and training to all levels of staff on matters of 
style); capability to work as a member of a group, relating to others, while working independently 
to achieve his/her ob jectives.  
 
Work Experience:  
 
At least three years of professional experience in proofreading and editing in the private or public 
sector, or in an international organization.  
 
Languages:  
 
Excellent knowledge of English (mother -tongue level proficiency) is essential, including the abi lity to 
communicate precisely and concisely orally and in writing. Good working knowledge of French and/or 
Spanish would be considered a distinct advantage.  
 
English language is required at a level corresponding or equivalent to a minimum of C2 according t o 
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 OFFICE( 20)/11 
 
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  proof of their language skills under a recognized framework (e .g. CEFR, IELTS, UN Language 
Proficiency Exam, etc.).  
 
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 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 candidates must complete an o nline application  form.  
To apply, please visit the WTO's E -Recruitme nt 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.