OFFICE( 20)/4 
20-0342 
 
 
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/ 20-2 Issued on:  14 January  2020 
 
Title:  Secretary  Application Deadline:  11 February  2020 
 
Grade:  3 
 Division:  Executive Secretariat for the 
Enhanced Integrated Framework  
 Contract Type:  Fixed -term 
 
Starting Salary:  CHF 60,254 net per annum  
(approximate)  Duration:  One year with the possibility of 
extension 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 include travel and removal exp enses 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 the position of Secretary at the Executive 
Secretariat (ES) for the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF), administratively housed 
in the WTO.  
 
The EIF partnership of 51 countries, 24 donors and eight partner age ncies works closely 
with governments, development organizations and civil society to assist the Least 
Developed Countries (LDCs) use trade as an engine for development and poverty 
reduction . 
 
 
General Functions  
 
Under the general supervision of the Executi ve Director of the ES and the direct supervision of the 
Administrative Assistant, the incumbent will be responsible for secretarial and administrative 
functions. Responsibilities will include the following:  
 
1. In coordination with the Administrative Assis tant, perform the full range of secretarial duties 
as required by the work of the ES. This includes but is not limited to assisting in managing and 
processing the ES's entire information flow, i.e., manage, file, help to collect, compile and 
disseminate EI F records, correspondence and documents and update the EIF database. The 
incumbent may be requested to provide simple translations from French to English and vice versa 
when necessary.  
 
2. Organize and provide secretarial support to meetings.  
 
3. Make trav el arrangements for ES staff for official missions and assist staff traveling in the field  
as required .  
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4. Receive telephone calls and visitors; schedule appointments; assist in maintaining contact 
with all EIF stakeholders.  
 
5. Create and maintain cont acts with staff from WTO Secretariat divisions to ensure a smooth 
information flow and delivery on requests.  
 
6. Replace the Administrative Assistant in all tasks during his/her absence.  
 
 
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS  
 
Education:  
 
Completion of secondary school and secretarial or equivalent commercial school; training in the 
secretarial/administrative field or proven secretarial expertise  through work experience . 
 
Knowledge and Skills:  
 
Technical knowledge and skills:  
 
Excellent secretarial and word processing skills; ability to proofread and format documents according 
to established organizational guidelines to ensure accuracy and consistency of documents and 
correspondence.  
 
Proficiency in operating office equipment (e.g. PC, pr inter, etc.) and ability to work with standard 
office software (e.g., spreadsheet and database applications, etc.).  
 
Ease at drafting correspondence in English and French and providing help with translations and/or 
interpretation from French to English and  vice versa.  
 
Behavioural skills:  
 
Developed sense of responsibility and a pro -active attitude .  
Excellent organizational, multi tasking and prioritization -setting skills with the confirmed ability to 
work under pressure and to strict deadlines while ensur ing accuracy and attention to detail . 
Discretion and tact.  
 
Ability to relate to, and build relationships with, colleagues; ability to communicate and understand 
clear factual information; ability to face and cope with conflict situations with colleagues; and ability 
to work as a member of a team, relating to others, while working independently to achieve his/her 
objectives.  
 
Work Experience:  
 
At least two years of secretarial experience. Experience in working in the area of development 
assistance, in particular with Least Developed Countries, would be an asset.  
 
Languages:  
 
Fluency in both English and French required; knowledge of Portuguese would be an asset.  
 
English and French language s are required at a level corresponding or equival ent to a minimum of 
C1 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)). Shortlisted 
candidates will be assessed on their language skills as part of the selection process and may be 
asked to provide proof of their language skil ls under a recognized framework (e.g. CEFR, IELTS, UN 
Language Proficiency Exam, etc.)  
 
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 teleconf erence 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 n evertheless 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 I NTERVIEW  
______________________________________________________________________  
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 system provides instructions for online application procedures.  
 
All applicants are encouraged to apply online as soon as possible after the vacancy has  
been poste d 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.