OFFICE( 20)/108 
20-9174 
 
 
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 -63 Issued on:  18 December 2020  
 
Title:  Information Management Specialist  Application Deadline:  15 January 2021  
 
Grade:  6 
 Division:  Language  and Documentation 
Services  
 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, 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 an entry level professional position of 
Information Management Specialist in  the Official Documents and Registry of 
Notifications Section  of the Language and Documentation Services  Division.   The Official 
Documents and Registry of Notifications Section aims to provide appropriate access to all 
relevant internal and external info rmation. This entails adding value to information by 
capturing, indexing, storing, preserving and disseminating it. Information resources are 
managed and disseminated through the WTO websites and repositories for documents 
and notifications content . 
 
 
Gene ral Functions  
 
Under the supervision of the Chief of Official Documents and Registry of Notifi cations Section 
(ODRNS), the incumbent will have primary responsibility for the WTO official documents database, 
cataloguing and dissemination of WTO official doc uments on the Internet. Key accountabilities will 
include:  
 
1. Catalogue, index, describe and organize information resources to ensure appropriate access 
and distribution using relevant metadata in electronic systems.  
 
2. Assist in determining and applying  international standards in information management, 
including authority files, taxonomies, thesaurus, value lists, classification plans and retention policies 
to harmonize information.  
  
3. Contribute to ensuring an effective information management system for the WTO official 
documents database. This entails researching and drafting business case proposals for cost effective 
systems that address the strategic needs of the Organization and ensures operational efficiency; 
OFFICE(20)/108  
 
- 2 - 
 
  drafting business, functional require ment specifications, coordinating with external vendor(s) on 
information management system requirements and procedures; defining, developing and 
implementing end user acceptance test plans and other quality assurance assessments.  
 
4. In accordance with the  Paper Smart Secretariat Plan, oversee the changeover from paper to 
electronic resources. This entails revision and quality control of all historical scanned documents for 
inclusion in WTO official documents database by identifying missing/incomplete/incor rect items in 
the electronic collection.  
 
5. Participate in the elaboration of information policies within the Division and work closely with 
other colleagues in this area.  
 
6. Respond to telephone, email and written enquiries from Members, Secretariat and  public on 
information resources by researching for the materials and providing appropriate information.  
 
 
7. Assist in the planning and delivering of training programmes for staff and others on how best 
to access, use and understand WTO information resources through the information management 
systems. Collaborate with the appropriate Secretariat team to create and distribute promotional and 
informational resources.  
 
8.  Assist the WTO Central Registry of Notifications (CRN) in processing notifications, producing 
periodic reports and providing reference services.  
 
 
9. Undertake any other administrative and/or data management activities as required.  
 
 
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS  
 
Education:  
 
An advanced university degree in information managemen t/library science, or a basic university 
degree plus a qualification in this field recognized by a professional body that is equivalent to an 
advanced university degree.  
 
Knowledge and Skills:  
 
Technical Knowledge Skills:  
 
A sound understanding of the principles of indexing.  
 
Knowledge of the Harmonized System and other product classifications would be an asset.  
 
Excellent command and use of IT (Information Technology) tools relevant to information 
organization and retrieva l (e.g. search engines).  
 
Strong analytical skills .  
 
Excellent drafting skills in English.   
 
Proven ability to develop, document and maintain cataloguing rules/practices, information system 
operating procedures, detailed information system business process flows, business requirement 
specifications and user acceptance test scenarios.  
 
Behavioural Skills:  
 
The following interpersonal capabilities are required: relate to and build rela tionships with 
colleagues; communicate information in a clear way and understand information; present technical 
facts to knowledgeable specialised audiences; work as a member of a team, relating to others, while 
working independently to achieve his/her obj ectives.  
 OFFICE(20)/108  
 
- 3 - 
 
  Work Experience:  
 
Minimum two years' relevant experience, including demonstrated professional experience in 
cataloguing, analysis and description of information materials according to internationally recognized 
standards.  
 
Languages:  
 
Excellent command of English, 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)) .  A good working knowledge of French and/or Spanish would be an a sset. 
 
The language skills of shortlisted candidates will be assessed as part of the selection process.  
 
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 paragraph 46.  
 
The WTO may use various communication technologies such as video or teleconference f or 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 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 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.