OFFICE(16)/67 
16-4087 
 
 
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/16-53 Issued on:  1 August 2016 
 
Title:  Economic Affairs Officer Application Deadline (CET):  29 August 2016 
 
Grade:  6 
 Division:  Agriculture and Commodities 
(L017) 
Contract Type:  Fixed-term 
 Starting Salary:  CHF 83,548 net per annum 
(approximate)  Duration:  One year, with the possibility of 
extension based on performance, divisional 
needs and availability of funds. 
 
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: 
http://www.wto.org/english/thewto _e/vacan_e/comp_p ackage_e.pdf.  
  
The Secretariat of the WTO is seeking to fill a position of Economic Affairs Officer in the 
Agriculture and Commodities Division.  
 
General Functions  
 Under the general supervision of the Director of the Agriculture and Commodities Division, the 
incumbent will assist with all work relating to the Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and 
Phytosanitary Measures (SPS Agreement). This includes the servicing of dispute settlement panels considering SPS-related cases, assisting with the management of the in-house SPS database and 
notification submission system, delivering training on the SPS (and other) Agreements, and 
servicing the Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures. The incumbent will carry out related tasks under the guidance and direct su pervision of senior staff members. The tasks 
include, inter alia: 
 1. Provide analysis and information on SPS related matters to dispute settlement panels considering SPS-related cases, and assist with the identification and consultation of scientific and 
technical experts, drafting of questions for the parties and scientific experts, and preparation of 
relevant background notes and drafting and other input for the panel's reports.  
2. Assist with the management, maintenance and improvement of in-house databases by 
providing inputs to projects to modernize th e SPS Information Management System (IMS) and 
Notification Submission System (NSS), ensuring the information contained in the SPS IMS is up-
to-date, preparing data and analyses to include in documents and reports, and providing training 
on the use of the SPS IMS and NSS.  OFFICE(16)/67 
 
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  3. Assist in preparing training materials for and deliver technical assistance on the SPS 
Agreement and on the SPS IMS and NSS, on the relationship between the SPS Agreement and the 
Agreements on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) and Trade Facilitation, as well as the relevant 
provisions of other WTO agreements including the WTO dispute resolution procedures and rulings in SPS-related dispute cases. In carrying out thes e functions, the incumbent will be expected to 
cooperate with other divisions in the WTO as well as with inter-governmental organizations active 
in this field.  
4. Provide support, as requested, for the work of the SPS Committee, including the preparation 
of documents and reports. The incumbent will also be expected to assist with other work related to the SPS Committee, for example the preparation of documents and organization of informal 
meetings or thematic sessions on issues such  as transparency, food standards, etc.  
 
5. Support the other work of the Division, includ ing the representation of the WTO at meetings 
of other international or regional bodies, advice and assistance to delegates, outreach to academia 
and the private sector, responses to queries, etc. 
  
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS 
 Education:  
An advanced university degree in economics, agricultural economics, law or a closely related topic, 
preferably with specialization in international trade, or a basic university combined with relevant professional experience and proven expertise equivalent to an advanced university degree.  
 
Knowledge and Skills:  
Good knowledge and understanding of the WTO sy stem. Good knowledge of the SPS Agreement, 
including of issues related to its implementation and of the relevant jurisprudence. Good knowledge of the TBT Agreement, in particular it s relationship to the SPS Agreement, and of the 
linkages between the SPS and Trade Facilitation Agreements. Good knowledge more generally in 
the area of agriculture, food safety, standards and regulations. 
 A demonstrated ability to write accurately, concisely and clearly in English. Excellent analytical and 
presentation skills. The ability to communicate complex information in a clear way and to 
understand information, as well as the ability to present technical facts to a wide variety of audiences. 
 
Organizational skills and analytical skills are required, as well as tact and discretion in undertaking the job.   
Ability to use word processing, Powe rPoint, Excel and similar software.  
 Ability to relate to and build relationships with colleagues, and work as part of a team in a 
multicultural environment, relating to others, while working independently to achieve his/her 
objectives.   
Work Experience: 
 Two years of relevant experience on trade-related policy and health issues, in particular issues related to the implementation of the SPS Agreement and the relevant legal interpretations. 
Experience in the servicing of dispute settlement panels would be an asset, as would experience 
preparing and undertaking technical assistance activities.   
Languages: 
 Excellent English language skills. Knowledge of French and/or Spanish would be an asset. 
 
Additional Information:  Only applications from nationals of WTO Members will be accepted. 
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  The WTO may use various communication technologies such as video or teleconference for the 
assessment and evaluation of candidates. The re cruitment process may also involve the use of 
various forms of testing, assessment cent res, 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 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 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 – Central European Time (CET) –  
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.