OFFICE( 21)/55 
21-5836 
 
 
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/L/21 -32 Issued on:  29 July 2021  
 
Title:  Regional Desk Assistant  Application Deadline:  26 August 2021  
 
Grade:  5 
 Division:  Institute for Training and 
Technical Cooperation  
 Contract Type:  L contract  
 
Starting Salary:  CHF 71,925 net per annum  
(approximate)  Duration:  One year with the possibility of 
extension up to a total of maximum of four 
years, subject to availability of funds and 
incumbent's level of performance . 
 
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 incl ude 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 Regional Desk Assistant in the 
Institute for Training and Technical Cooperation . 
 
The Institute for Training and Technical Cooperation (ITTC) designs, coordinates and 
implements trade -related technical assistance activities. With support across the WTO 
Secretariat, the ITTC delivers specific technical assistance products a s mandated by WTO 
members in the regularly updated Technical Assistance and Training Plans. These plans 
focus on strengthening the ability of beneficiaries to understand their rights and 
obligations within the multilateral trading system, to take full adva ntage of the rules -
based system, to participate effectively in trade negotiations, and to develop, on a long -
term basis, their capacity to adjust to WTO rules and disciplines . 
 
 
General Functions  
 
Working under the Head of the Regional Desk for Asia & Paci fic, and under the general supervision 
of the Administrative Assistant, the Regional Desk Assistant will assist in planning and organizing 
technical assistance (TA) activities in the Region, both at the regional and national level, in liaison 
with the othe r WTO divisions, Geneva -based delegates, capital -based officials and regional partners. 
More specifically, the incumbent will undertake the following responsibilities:  
 
1. Maintain and update the Trade -Related Technical Assistance (TRTA) database; export d ata for 
monitoring and statistics purposes.  
 
OFFICE( 21)/55 
 
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  2. Provide a wide range of secretarial support, which may include handling and drafting of 
correspondence, e -mail management, screening and responding to telephone calls, creating and 
maintaining filing systems.   
 
3. Under the supervision of the Head of Desk, inform stakeholders on TRTA procedures, and 
assist in scheduling planned activities; assist in the preparation of e -Activity Requests and related 
documents (i.e. programme, letters of invitation, and letters  of agreement with partner such as 
Memoranda of Understanding); initiate and process contracts for the hiring of external 
consultants/experts for the delivery of TA activities.  
 
4. Assist in the preparation of documents/training manuals and publications, which may include 
formatting, editing, proof -reading; coordinate and monitor document reproduction in liaison with the 
Documents Management, Monitoring and Production Section; gather and arrange information for the 
preparation of country briefs and other T A-related papers; draft country briefs; and create 
presentation slides and charts where required.  
 
5. Carry out administrative tasks as assigned by the Administrative Assistant; provide back -up 
support in the absence of the Administrative Assistant.   
 
6. May train and mentor new secretarial staff.  
 
7. Maintain skills up -to-date and remain abreast of new office procedures and software.  
 
 
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS  
 
Education:  
 
Completed secondary education. A secretarial qualification or relevant post -secondary qualification 
would be considered an asset.  
 
Knowledge and Skills:  
 
Technical Knowledge and Skills:  
 
Knowledge and understanding of the work of the WTO.  
 
Advanced secretarial skills; office management skills; word processing skills and proficiency in  MS 
suite of applications (Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel) at advanced level.  
 
Drafting skills in English and French.  
 
Behavioural Skills:  
 
Ability to work under minimum supervision.  
Ability to work under pressure and strict deadlines.  
Strong organiz ational skills including ability to prioritize and multi -task; flexibility / adaptability in 
fast changing environment.  
Attention to detail.  
Tact and discretion.  
 
The following interpersonal capabilities are required: capacity to relate to and build relationships 
with colleagues; communicate information in a clear way and understand information; persuade 
others to a point of view using facts; face and cope with conflict situations with colleagues; and work 
as a member of a group, relating to others, w hile working independently to achieve his/her 
objectives.  
 
Work Experience:  
 
Minimum 5 years' secretarial experience, preferably in an international organization or a government 
ministry environment.  
 
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  Languages:  
 
Excellent speaking and writing skills in English and French is required  (equivalent to level C1 
according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)) ; skills in 
Spanish would be an asset.  
 
The language skills of shortlisted candidates will be assessed as part of the selection process.  
 
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.  
 
Should the succ essful candidate hold a regular or fixed -term contract under the regular WTO budget, 
the contractual status shall be changed to a one -year fixed -term contract in accordance with the 
contractual arrangement set out in the vacancy notice.  
 
The WTO may use va rious 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 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 announcement.  
 
PLEASE NOTE THAT APPLICATIONS RECEIVED AFTER THE  
CLOSING DATE WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED  
 
The WTO is a non -smoking environment.