OFFICE( 21)/12 
21-1297 
 
 
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/ 21-8 Issued on: 19 February  2021 
 
Title:  Chief of Section  Application Deadline:  19 March  2021 
 
Grade:  10 
 Division:  Language and Documentation Services  
 
Contract Type:  Fixed -term 
 
Starting Salary:  CHF 160,669 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 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 information 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 WT O is seeking to fill the position of Chief of the French translation 
Section in the Languages, Documentation and Information Management Division.  
 
 
General Functions  
 
Under the supervision of the Head of the Language Services Branch, the incumbent will have primary 
responsibility for supervising and managing the day -to-day operations of the Section.  
 
Key accountabilities will include:  
 
1. Plan, organize, supervise and monitor translation and revision work, including through 
outsourcing, and terminology work, to ensure services are delivered in an effective and efficient 
manner.  
 
2. Lead, manage and motivate the staff of the Section. To this end, guide, train or supervise 
training of staff and promote the best utilization of their skills and experience to  maximize qualitative 
and quantitative outputs. Carry out the performance review of staff in the Section.  
 
3. Analyse service requirements and advise on policy and standards. Ensure the quality of 
services, monitor the service performance of the section, p ut in place industry and institutional best 
practices and improve work processes and methods.  
 
4. Manage the Section’s budget for temporary support, ensuring the most efficient and effective 
allocation of resources.  
 
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5. Make authoritative linguistic determ inations in the target language, especially in WTO -specific 
fields and in subject areas where terminology is not well established.  
 
6. Perform systematically quality control on translations done in the Section in order to get a 
good understanding of the qu ality produced. Revise translations of highly sensitive texts and validate 
completed translations of exceptionally complex texts.  
 
7. Build the team and ensure that the skills of the staff of the Section are maintained and updated 
through regular training.  Organize the testing of candidates for employment, including freelance and 
contractual translators.  
 
8. Develop a strong professional relationship with counterparts and stakeholders inside and 
outside the Organization, to share information about resources , to share best practices and to 
understand the needs of clients.  
 
 
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS  
 
Education:  
 
The jobholder must possess the following:  
 
• university degree  preferably  in languages, linguistics, economics or law ; and 
• advanced university degree, in the aforementioned disciplines and /or specialised training or 
expertise acquired on the job.  
 
Knowledge and Skills:  
 
Technical Knowledge and Skills:  
 
The jobholder must possess an excellent knowledge of the relevant areas of language services (e.g. 
translation, revision, technology, etc.) acquired through professional training and experience.  
 
Important technical skills include the following:  
 
• proficiency in the use of CAT tools and  a positive approach to technology in general . 
• budget management skills.  
• highly developed organizational and management skills.  
• excellent communication and leadership skills.   
• ability to mentor and coach staff effectively; and  
• demonstrated aptitude for man agerial, coordination/supervisory functions.  
 
Behavioural Skills:  
 
The jobholder must have the capability to:  
 
• relate to and build relationships with colleagues.  
• communicate and understand complex abstract ideas and understand ideas when 
communicated by others. 
• manage a heterogeneous group of people, motivating them, setting objectives and 
managing their performance . 
• persuade others to a particular point of view which may challenge others' values and beliefs . 
• cope with and resolve conflicts through interpreting provided guidelines on how to resolve 
them and  
• work in a team where supporting and gaining the support of others is important to achieving 
her/his objectives.  
 
Work Experience:  
 
The jobholder must possess at least ten years' experience as a tr anslator, of which at least five in 
an international organization or large institution.  
 
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Languages:  
 
The jobholder must possess perfect command (mother -tongue level) of French and demonstrable 
excellent skills ( at a level corresponding or equivalent to a minimum of C1 according to the Common 
European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) ) in the other two working languages of the 
WTO, English and Spanish.  
 
 
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 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 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 online 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.