OFFICE( 17)/88 
17-4787 
 
 
 
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 di versity.  
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Vacancy Notice No.:  EXT/F/17-62 Issued on:  12 September  2017 
 
Title:  Director  Application Deadline (CET):  10 October  2017 
 
Grade:  11 
 Division:  Accessions  
(181) 
Contract Ty pe: Fixed -term 
 
Starting Salary:  CHF 187,769 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 da ys 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 compensation 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 the position of  Director in the Accessions  
Division . 
 
General Functions  
 
This is a senior post which carries a high level of responsibility in managerial, political and 
technical terms. Reporting to a Deputy Director -General , the appointee will lead the Accessions  
Division  which  facilitates  negotiations between members of an   accession working party and 
acceding governments . In this context, t he division provides accessions -customized technical 
assistance (TA), capacity building, outreach and policy advice throughout all stages of the 
access ion process.  In addition, it issues the WTO Accessions Newsletter after each I nformal Group 
on Accessions (IGA)  meeting, which is shared with the public to ensure transparency across all 
WTO accessions , and prepar es the Director -General's Annual Reports on  Accessions . 
 
Specific responsibilities of the appointee will include:  
 
1. Lead and manage the overall work of the Accessions  Division, ensuring the optimal 
functioning of the accession Working Parties and provision of technical assistance activities  on th e 
substance and procedures of WTO accession and post -accession, as necessary.  
 
2. Coordinate the provision of technical and policy advice on accession matters and procedures 
to delegations  (Chairpersons, Members , acceding Governments and potential acceding  
Governments ), senior management and other divisions in the Secretariat.  OFFICE( 17)/88 
 
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  3. Prioritize and plan the use of Divisional resources and budget to achieve the required 
Divisional outputs and results that can be achieved within those resources. Provide guidance  to 
staff in carrying out their work, setting out the performance objectives of the staff members and 
assessing their performance .   
 
4. Act as Chairperson of  the IGA to provide a framework for systemic coordination, guidance 
and exchange of information on  all WTO accessions.  
 
5. Coordinate  the work of the Division in preparing  the Director -General's Annual Reports on 
Accessions , which  are examined by members at the end -of-year meetings of the General Council.   
 
6.     Oversee the work of  the Division  in issuing  the WTO Accessions Newsletter after each IGA 
meeting, which is shared with the public to ensure transparency across all WTO accessions.  
 
7. Co-ordinate the Division's work with that of other Divisions, including providing substantive 
contributions to  their work  and to joint projects or task forces . 
 
8. Maintain the Division's relationships with other relevant international organizations  and 
represent the WTO at high -level meetings.  More broadly, l ead the Division's outreach activities, 
maintaining a n etwork of contacts with officials in g overnment, international organiz ations, 
research institutions, universities, NGOs and the private sector to enhance dialogue on issues of 
mutual interest in  relevant areas.  
 
9. Represent the D irector -General  and the WT O Secretariat in various intergovernmental, 
public and academic events in Geneva and abroad that address matters related to the work of  the 
WTO.  
 
10.   Support the Director -General and  Senior Management by providing reports, briefings and 
other information  and advice as required.  
 
 
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS  
 
Education:  
 
An advanced university degree in international law, economics or other relevant field s. 
 
Knowledge and Skills : 
 
The Director  of the Accessions  Division  must have the skills to lead  and motivat e a team of 
approximately 10 staff members to excel in their jobs. He/she must be able to build and maintain 
a team culture that consistently delivers high -quality results.  
 
Demonstration of the Core Personal Skills applicable to all staff at the WTO Secre tariat  (teamwork, 
communication,  problem -solving and decision -making, quality of results/delivery, anticipation and 
initiative,  flexibility/adaptability) is fundamental.  
 
The successful candidate must have a thorough understanding of the legal, economic an d political 
issues relating  to the WTO accession processes , the WTO legal framework and international and 
national trade -related  policy instruments.  An understanding of  a broad range of  WTO rules such as  
agricultural policies, Sanitary and Phytosanitary Me asures , Technical Barriers to Trade, and T rade 
Related Investment Measure s is also necessary. He/she must have excellent analytical and 
drafting skills.  
 
He/she must have strong diplomatic and negotiating skills. A high level of political awareness and 
sensitivity is needed, together with the ability to communicate effectively inside and outside the 
WTO.   
 
Capacity to maintain relationship s and facilitate consensus is also required.  
 OFFICE( 17)/88 
 
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  Work Experience:  
 
At least fifteen years’ experience in senior roles rela ted to international trade and public policy 
areas in government or international organi zations.  
 
Senior -level experience in multilateral trade negotiations . Experience  in the area of accessions  
would be an advantage . 
 
Leadership and management experience,  including the ability to manage effectively the work of a 
multi-cultural team of professional and support staff . 
 
Languages:  
 
Excellent kn owledge of English, including the  ability to write accurately and quickly; working 
knowledge of French and/or Spanish  would be an advantage.  
 
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 rec ruitment process may also involve the use of 
various forms of testing, assessment centres, interviews and reference checks.  
______________________________________________________________________  
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 t o 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.