OFFICE(13)/37 
13-4658 
 
 
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/13-23 Issued on:   3 September 2013 
 
Title:   Finance Officer Application Deadline (CET):   1 October 
2013 
 
Grade:   7 
 Division:   Administration and General 
Services  
 Contract Type:   Fixed-term 
 
Starting Salary:   CHF 90,429 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 compen sation 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 the position of Finance Officer the 
Administration and General Services Division .  Serving staff members interested in the 
position are also invited to apply. 
 
 General Functions  
 
Under the supervision of the Director, the incumbent will have primary responsibility for providing 
financial expertise and analysis to WTO's management in order to facilitate decisions about the Organization's financial resources. The incumbent will also supervise the work of Finance 
Assistants and approve a full set of financial transactions.  More specifically, the incumbent will 
undertake the following duties.  
1. Lead financial reporting activities for the Organization and manage relationships with the 
external auditors during the financial reportin g exercise. Supervise and provide guidance on 
complex or exceptional financial transactions in compliance with approved procedures and regulations. 
 
2. Manage relationships with assigned divisions and other stakeholders. Act as liaison on matters related to budget performance and planning . Manage analytical reporting activities related 
to budget and finance and lead complex analytical projects. Design/produce/maintain reports and 
templates that include Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). Monitor the financial performance of specific divisions and output areas. 
 
3. Initiate and lead business process reviews, IT systems projects and other projects engaged by the team.  OFFICE(13)/37  
- 2 - 
 
 4. Perform financial controls including the re view and validation of E-banking and other 
payments processed by other staff. 
 
5. Train, coach and advise other team members or users on procedures and processes.  
 
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS  
Education: 
 An advanced university degree in Accounting or a related field with a financial orientation, or a combination of a basic university degree with qualification as an accountant or with professional 
certification in the appropriate discipline (management accounting, financial accounting, public 
accounting, auditing).   
Knowledge and Skills: 
 Advanced accounting/financial management skills to produce or maintain complex management or 
accounting reports. 
 Business intelligence application skills as well as advanced computing and office applications, especially spread sheet and word processing applications. 
 
Advanced analytical skills to produce accurate and clear financial reporting.  
Communication skills in order to transmit financial information to a broad audience that may 
include senior management and external stakeholders. Confidentiality skills in order to ensure that information is accessible only to those that are authorized to have access. 
 
Project management skills.   Understanding of financial and administrative regulations, rules and procedures in international 
organizations. 
 Familiarity with International Public Sector Acco unting Standards (IPSAS) would be an advantage. 
 
Advanced ERP software and/or IT skills; experi ence with Oracle EBS would be an advantage. 
 
Work Experience: 
 3 to 5 years' experience in a relevant function . Experience with a professional accounting or 
consulting practice with exposure to international or public sector organizations will be an 
advantage. 
 Languages: 
 
Excellent command of French or English, both or al and written, and a good working knowledge of 
the other. 
 
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.  OFFICE(13)/37  
- 3 - 
 
_____________________________________________________________________ 
APPLICANTS MAY BE REQUIRED TO SIT A WRITTEN EXAMINATION 
____________________________________________________________________ 
APPLICANTS WILL BE CONTACTED DIRECTLY IF SELECTED FOR AN INTERVIEW 
_____________________________________________________________________ 
Online applications are strongly encouraged to enable the WTO to store 
your profile in a permanent database. 
 
Please visit the WTO' s E-Recruitment website at:  www.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.