OFFICE( 16)/92 
16-5634 
 
 
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 div ersity.  
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Vacancy Notice No.:  EXT/F/16-73 Issued on:  17 October  2016 
 
Title:  Dispute Settlement Lawyer  Application Deadline (CET):  14 November  
2016 
 
Grade:  7 
 Division:  Legal Affairs   
(16) 
Contract Type:  Fixed -term 
 
Starting Salary:  CHF 89,518  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 g rant, 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 compensat ion package is provided on the 
WTO website:  
http://www.wto.org/english/thewto_e/vacan_e/comp_package_e.pdf . 
 
The Secretariat of the WTO is seeking to fill a position of Dispute  Settlement Lawyer  in 
the Legal Affairs  Division .  
 
The Legal Affairs Division is responsible for providing legal advice on the WTO agreements and 
other legal issues as they may arise, to the Director -General and the WTO Secretariat, to the 
Dispute Settlem ent Body and other WTO bodies, to dispute settlement panels and arbitral bodies, 
and, as appropriate, to WTO Members or the general public.  
 
 
General Functions  
 
1. Under the supervision of senior lawyers, deliver substantive legal advice and assistance to 
dispute settlement adjudicators . 
 
2. Under the supervision of senior lawyers, conduct research on complex substantive legal and 
technical as well as procedural issues arising in the context of dispute settlement proceedings . 
Prepare written analyses of the se and related issues as required.  
 
3. Under the supervision of senior staff, d eliver legal advice and assistance to chairpersons of 
WTO bodies and negotiating groups, other WTO Divisions, the Director -General and WTO Members 
on matters within the Divisio n's areas of responsibility .  
 
4. Under the supervision of senior staff, d eliver technical assistance and training on matters 
within the  respective  Division's areas of responsibility . Contribute to the development of training 
material s, internal research m aterials, and WTO publications .  
 
 OFFICE(16)/92 
 
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REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS  
 
Education:  
 
An advanced university degree in law, including studies in international trade law  and public 
international law . Studies in international economics would be an advantage, as would a li cence or 
eligibility to be licensed to practice law in at least one municipal jurisdiction.  
 
Knowledge and Skills:  
 
Knowledge of international trade law  and f amiliarity with international legal and economic 
principles and issues ; familiarity  with adjudicat ive processes and practice, particularly  those of the 
WTO.  
 
Knowledge of the WTO Agreements and some familiarity with WTO jurisprudence is desirable .  
 
Excellent research, drafting and analytical skills and the ability to pay close attention to detail . The 
ability to present thoughts in a logical, succinct, and coherent manner, both orally and in written 
form.  The ability to  familiarize oneself quickly  and work with voluminous documentary records, and 
to extract therefrom and analyse information that is  often of a highly technical , complex , and/or 
economic nature ; and the ability to produce legal research and contribute to a coherent team 
product under severe  time pressure . 
 
Highly developed tact and discretion and the ability to adhere rigorously to rules o f conduct 
ensuring confidentiality, impartiality and an absence of conflicts of interest.   
 
Ability to work independently as well as cooperate with others in a diverse international setting  as 
a member of a team that works under severe time pressure and re source constraints and must 
produce a coherent group product; to persuade others through sound argumentation and advice 
while remaining flexible and open to different points of view and evolving approaches; to meet 
strict deadlines within a dynamic work en vironment ; to develop and maintain  collegial , respectful  
and professional  relationships with colleagues  and adjudicators and , as appropriate, with  others 
both inside and outside the WTO, inclu ding representatives of Members .   
 
Work Experience:  
 
At least  three years relevant practical work experience as a lawyer , preferably including 
government  or private sector experience in national or international trade -related litigation and/or 
within international or national courts or adjudicative bodies or quasi -judicial agencies of Members .   
 
Languages:  
 
Excellent English, including a demonstrated ability to write accurately, concisely, clearly and within 
tight deadlines. Knowledge of French and/or Spanish is desirable .  
 
Additional Information:  
 
Only applications from nationals of WTO Members will be accepted.  
 
The WTO may use various 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 testin g, 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 18 months, and may 
subsequently be c alled upon as and when the need arises for additional resources.  OFFICE(16)/92 
 
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______________________________________________________________________  
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 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 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.