OFFICE(14)/70 
14-6820 
  
  
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. 
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Vacancy Notice No.:  EXT/F/14-35 Issued on:  24 November 2014 
 
Title:  Secretary Application Deadline (CET):  12 December 
2014  
Grade:  4 
 Division:  Appellate Body Secretariat 
(9015) 
Contract Type:  Fixed-term 
 
Starting Salary:  CHF 65,697 net per annum 
(approximate)  Duration:  Two years with the possibility for 
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 _package_e.pdf . 
 
The Secretariat of the WTO is seeking to fill a position of Secretary in the Appellate Body 
Secretariat.  
 The Appellate Body Secretariat is responsible for de livering advice and assistance to the Appellate 
Body in connection with all aspects of appeals of panel reports. The Appellate Body Secretariat also 
often advises and supports arbitrators in proceedings to determine the reasonable period of time, and, occasionally, provides advice and/or information to the Director-General, other 
WTO Divisions, and WTO Members, as appropriate. 
  General Functions  
 
Under the supervision of the senior staff and the Director, the incumbent will undertake some or all of the following functions in relation with dispute settlement activities: 
 
1. Perform a full range of secretarial duties: draft correspondence and memoranda using 
standard templates, based on verbal instructions or brief notes; meticulously check legal and other 
documents for formatting, spelling, grammar, and proper citations; create, edit, and produce 
texts, tables, correspondence, reports, and PowerPoint presentations, according to approved WTO and Appellate Body Secretariat format and editorial practices. 
2. Ensure proper distribution and date stamping of documents; generate and maintain filing 
systems; file and retrieve correspondence and documents in the Division's established filing 
systems; put together background files and compile appropriate reference materials for appeals, meetings, and seminars. OFFICE(14)/70 
 
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  3. Maintain contact with delegations involved in appeals; coordinate the translation and 
circulation of Appellate Body Reports; liaise with other Divisions as necessary; service meetings, 
including oral hearings and internal meetings; understand and apply Appellate Body practices and 
procedures in the conduct of appeals, in particular regarding deadlines and the treatment of confidential information. 
 
4. Provide assistance and support to Appellate Body Members, as required.  
5. Perform other secretarial duties, as assigned. 
  REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS 
 
Education:  
 
Completion of secondary school and/or secretarial or equivalent commercial school; training in the 
secretarial field or proven secr etarial processes and practices. 
 
Knowledge:  
 Excellent knowledge of standard WTO software ap plications (Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel). 
Knowledge of database applications  would also be an advantage. 
 
Ability to work within strict deadlines and under pressure as well as to work successfully in a team; highly developed tact and discretion and the ability to adhere rigorously to the requirements of 
confidentiality; excellent organizational skills and ability to pay close attention to detail; ability to 
manage time efficiently when working on several assignments subject to deadlines; ability to exercise initiative and judgement and to work under supervision as well as independently at times. 
The incumbent may be asked to work compensa ted overtime hours in the evenings and on 
weekends from time to time. Experience in a legal environment would be an asset.   The following interpersonal capabilities are required: relate to and build relationships with 
colleagues;  communicate and understand clear factual information; and work as a member of a 
team, relating to others, while working in dependently to achieve his/her objectives. 
 
Work Experience: 
 Three to four years of relevant experience.  
 
Languages:  
 Excellent knowledge of English. Good working kn owledge of Spanish and/or French would be an 
asset. 
 Additional Information: 
 
The post may be offered at a lower grade if th e selected candidate does not fully meet the 
required qualifications. 
 
Candidates not selected whose performance in the selection process nevertheless shows them to be suitable for a secretarial position may be kept on a roster for up to 18 months, and may subsequently be called upon as and when the need arises for additional secretaries.  
 
Only applications from nationals of WTO Members will be accepted. OFFICE(14)/70 
 
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  ______________________________________________________________________ 
APPLICANTS MAY BE REQUIRED TO SIT A WRITTEN EXAMINATION 
______________________________________________________________________ 
APPLICANTS WILL BE CONTACTED DIRECTLY IF SELECTED FOR AN INTERVIEW 
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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.