OFFICE(14)/39 
14-4748 
 
 
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/14-14 Issued on:   15 August 2014 
 
Title:  Economic Affairs Officer Application Deadline (CET):  15 
September 2014 
 
Grade:   6 
 Division:   Agriculture and Commodities 
(398) 
Contract Type:   Fixed-term  
 
Starting Salary:   CHF 84,399 net per annum 
(approximate)  Duration:   Two years with the possiblity 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 a position of Economic Affairs Officer in the 
Agriculture and Commodities Division. 
 
 General Functions  
 
Under the overall guidance of the Director and su pervision of more senior officers, the incumbent 
will have the following functions:  
1. Maintain the Agriculture Information Management System and monitor incoming 
notifications; make recommendations to improve the database.   
2. Prepare background documents and datasets on notified information or other statistical 
information for the Committee on Agriculture, the Agriculture Special Sessions and the Sub-Committee on Cotton, as requested.  Assist with  the preparation of other documents, summary 
reports, agendas, Chairperson's notes, various stud ies and Secretariat notes related to the work of 
these committees and the review and monitoring of Members' implementation of commitments 
and disciplines.   
3. Assist and follow up with Members in their preparation and circulation of various agriculture 
notifications, with a view to ensure completeness and accuracy.  This includes assisting Members in understanding the rules under the Agreement on Agriculture;  explanation of calculation 
methodologies for domestic support, safeguard measures and export subsidies;  verifying all the OFFICE(14)/39 
 
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 information submitted against Members' legal commitments under the Agreement on Agriculture; 
checking the consistency of calculations; following up with the notifying Member for any 
modifications or clarifications as necessary.  
 4. Provide assistance and advice to Members to  increase their understanding of notification 
obligations under the Agreement on Agriculture. Prepare presentations based on information from 
the agriculture notifications and assist with the preparation of training materials and the delivery of training in workshops for Members on the impl ementation of the Agreement on Agriculture, in 
particular with regard to notification obligations.    
 5. Maintain contacts with other international organizations, non-governmental organizations and Member governments, as well as preparing WTO inputs for meetings of those bodies 
(International Grains Council, Food Aid Convention, FAO, etc.). 
 6. Respond to ad hoc requests, from both within and outside of the organization, for technical 
information, studies and analysis on matters related to the WTO Agreement on Agriculture, and for 
information about work related to the work of the Division and the WTO.   
7. Undertake other tasks as may be assigned by the Director of the Division, including provision 
of support to the Doha Development Agenda negotiations, the Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures, and WTO dispute resolution panels.  
 
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS  
Education: 
 Advanced university degree or equivalent in economics, agricultural economics, law or related field 
with a specialization in international trade is required. 
 Knowledge and Skills:  
Knowledge and good understanding of the WTO system.  Knowledge of trade-related policy issues 
in the area of agriculture and food products would be useful.  
Familiarity with the working procedures of th e Committee on Agriculture and a good level of 
knowledge and understanding of the provisions of the Agreement on Agriculture and issues related 
to the implementation of this agreement.  
 
Proven written skills which demonstrate the ability to analyse, assess and communicate clearly; ability to research and organize background material.  
The following interpersonal capabilities are required:  relate to and build relationships with 
colleagues;  communicate information in a clear way;  and work as a member of a multicultural team, relating to others, while working in dependently to achieve his/her objectives. 
 
Work Experience:  
At least two years of practical experience, preferably on agricultural trade issues, gained by 
working for a government, academic or research institution, or a non-governmental or inter-governmental organization.  
Languages: 
 Excellent speaking and writing skills in English.  A good knowledge of at least one of the other 
WTO working languages (French or Spanish) would be an asset.  
 Additional Information: 
 
Only applications from nationals of WTO Members will be accepted. OFFICE(14)/39 
 
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 _____________________________________________________________________ 
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 
 
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