OFFICE( 21)/27 
21-3309 
 
 
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 -17 Issued on:  20 April 2021  
 
Title:  Secretary  Application Deadline:  18 May 2021  
 
Grade:  4 
 Division:  Accessions  
 
Contract Type:  Fixed -term 
 
Starting Salary:  CHF 65,729  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 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 Secretary in the Accessions 
Division . The work of the division is to facilitate the negotiations between WTO members 
and states and entities requesting accession to the WTO by encouraging their in tegration 
into the multilateral trading system through the effective liberalization of their trade 
regimes in goods and services; and to act as a focal point in widening the scope and 
geographical coverage of the WTO. There are at present 23 accession work ing parties . 
 
 
General Functions  
 
Under the supervision of the Division's Administrative Assistant and Director, the incumbent will 
perform the following specific duties:  
 
1. Process high volumes of documentation, which includes formatting tables, graphs a nd charts, 
proof-reading. Where necessary, identify the need for editorial changes to reports and liaise with 
the Language and Documentation Services Division, in accordance with standard Accession 
documentation practices.  
 
2. Ensure the timely preparation  and smooth running of Accession Working Party (WP) meetings 
and other Accession -related meetings such as the Informal Group of Acceding Governments (IGAG), 
by compiling documentation, sending out convening notices or official airgrams, providing technical  
and logistical support to the WP Secretaries, and servicing the meeting rooms. Liaise with supporting 
Divisions such as the Languages and Documentation Services Division, Administration and General 
Services Division, as well as outside providers, to ensur e the smooth technical functioning of the 
meetings, including where virtual technology is used.  
 
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  3. Draft correspondence and send official communications to WTO Members and Acceding 
Governments as required; respond to generic requests for information from  other Divisions within 
the WTO as well as delegations on matters covered by the Division, or direct these requests to the 
appropriate staff for reply; keep the Accessions contact list up -to-date.  
 
4. Provide administrative and logistical support for tech nical assistance and outreach activities 
undertaken by the Division, including Trade for Peace through WTO Accessions Initiative;  liaise with 
external partners and institutions, Missions and other stakeholders as needed; schedule meetings, 
send out invita tion letters for events and update the list of contacts.  
 
5. Assist and replace the Administrative Assistant when absent, including managing the 
Director's agenda and travel arrangements.  
 
6. Assist in the general work of the Division and other assignments , as required.  
 
 
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS  
 
Education:  
 
Completion of secondary school; training in the secretarial field or proven experience in secretarial 
processes and practices.  
 
Knowledge and Skills:  
 
Technical knowledge and skills:  
 
Good knowledge of administrative and secretarial processes, and good skills in these areas.  
General knowledge of  the working procedures and  understanding of the substantive work of the 
division.  
Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel, PowerPo int, Teams etc.) and other software such 
as hosting virtual meeting platforms. Knowledge of social media tools, including the use of video 
and audio material, would be an asset.  
Experience in formatting lengthy Word documents  and text according to strict g uidelines . Familiarity 
with documents  related to the WTO  is an asset.  
 
Behavioural skills:  
 
Ability to handle large volumes of work accurately, under pressure and within short deadlines.  
Excellent multi -tasking skills.  
Proven ability to pay attention to detail.  
Highly developed tact and discretion.   
Ability to take initiative and cooperate with other colleagues in a diverse international setting.  
The following interpersonal capabilities are required: relate to and build  relationships with 
colleagues; communicate and understand clear factual 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 
team, relating to others, while working independently to achieve his/her objectives.  
 
Work Experience:  
 
Three to four years' relevant work experience, including substantial work as a secretary, preferably 
in an international environment.  
 
Languages:  
 
Excellent knowledge of English (equivalent of level C1 according to the Common European 
Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)) and a good working level of French (B2 level 
according to CEFR) are required.  
 
The language skills of shortlisted candidat es will be assessed as part of the selection process.  
 
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  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 w ill 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 var ious 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 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 a n online 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 AFTER THE  
CLOSING DATE WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED  
 
The WTO is a non -smoking environment.