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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 -5 Issued on:  16 January 2020  
 
Title:  Chief of Section  Application Deadline:  13 February 2020  
 
Grade:  9 
 Division:  Information Technology Solutions  
 
Contract Type:  Fixed -term 
 
Starting Salary:  CHF 135,005  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 pla n, 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 a position of Chief of Section in the 
Information and Technology Solutions Division . 
 
The Information Technology Solutions Division ensures the efficient operation of the WTO's 
information technology (IT) infrastructure as well as the development and support of the necessary 
systems to cover the needs of WTO members and the WTO Secretariat. In response to changing 
needs and fast -evolving technology, the division collaborates with all Secretariat Divisions to 
constantly enhance IT services and procedures, to comply with the core mandate o f the organization 
and to better facilitate the dissemination of information to WTO members and the public. The division 
also ensures the efficient operation of the IT and communication infrastructure for special events 
such as Ministerial Conferences. Fin ally, the division is also responsible for developing and 
implementing the information security program.  
 
General Functions  
 
The purpose of this position is to lead and coordinate the implementation of Information Technology 
applications within the purview  of the Section, so as to enable the Secretariat to fulfil its mandate.  
 
Reporting to the Head of Application Solutions Branch, the incumbent is responsible for the following 
functions:  
 
1. Lead a team of 6 to 10 Relationships and Applications Managers, I T Applications Analysts and 
Developers. Organize the team, allocate the work and manage the performance. Help identify 
relevant training and career development goals for the team.  
 
2. Build and maintain a suite of software applications and data architectur e in support of the 
committees and working parties reporting to the General Council. Assure compliance of technical 
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  solutions with the WTO technology architecture and standards. Keep up -to-date on the rapid changes 
in Information Technology and adapt accor dingly.  
 
3. Drive change management while conforming to project management standards and 
procurement rules. Assist IT project managers in helping divisional partners with following the 
project portfolio steps and with ensuring compliance with procurement processes.  
 
4. Establish and maintain relationships with relevant divisional partners ensuring that ITSD is 
well-informed on the activities and relevant events taking place in the committees and working 
parties in the Secretariat.  
 
5. Assist the Head of Ap plications Solutions Branch to establish and follow through on plans for 
the following:  
- Delivery of Secretariat -wide programmes involving IT or digital expertise.  
- Improvement of organizational IT maturity including but not limited to standards, processes, 
architecture evolution and use of external providers.  
 
6. Assist the Head of Applications Solutions Branch to identify and embrace emerging 
technologies with the purpose of improving efficiency and reducing costs.  
 
7. Assist the Head  of Application Solutions Branch to establish Application Life cycle Management 
(ALM) standards and ensure that the team adheres to them.  
 
8. Assist the Head of Applications Solutions Branch to manage the budget of the Applications 
Solutions Branch: collab orate with the Head of Applications Solutions Branch and the Director of the 
Division to establish the budget, stay within defined budget and provide accurate forecasts on end -
of-year expenses.  
 
 
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS  
 
Education:  
 
An advanced university  degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, IT Engineering or 
related field. Alternatively, theoretical knowledge and/or proven professional expertise equivalent to 
an advanced university degree in addition to a basic university degree in Computer  Science, 
Information Technology, IT Engineering or related field will be accepted.  
 
Knowledge and Skills:  
 
Technical Knowledge and Skills:  
 
Expertise in Business and Systems Analysis, Software Design and Development.  
Expertise in Application Lifecycle Man agement.  
Expertise in Project Management.  
Internal customer relations management skills.  
Vendor management and IT recruitment skills.  
 
Behavioural Skills:  
 
The incumbent must have the ability to:  
lead and manage a team of technical experts, motivating them, setting objectives and managing 
their performance;  
initiate and build relationships with a variety of people, both inside and outside the organization;  
communicate complex abstract ideas to an audience of informed people and understand id eas when 
communicated by others;  
persuade others to a point of view using facts;  
present technical facts to knowledgeable specialised audiences;  
cope with and resolve conflicts through interpreting provided guidelines on how to resolve them; 
and  
work i n a team where gaining the support of others is important to achieving her/his objectives.  
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  Work Experience:  
 
At least eight (8) years of relevant experience including recent professional experience in Systems 
Analysis, Applications Lifecycle Management a s well as Project Management, with a significant 
portion in a role in direct relation with clients. Experience managing a team or guiding the work of 
others is an asset.  
 
Languages:  
 
Working knowledge of English is mandatory including the ability to write clearly and succinctly. 
Knowledge of French and/or Spanish would be an advantage.  
 
English is required at a level corresponding or equivalent to a minimum of C1 according to the 
Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)). Shortliste d 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.)  
 
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 se lection 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 -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 AFT ER THE  
CLOSING DATE WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED  
 
The WTO is a non -smoking environment.