OFFICE( 16)/91 
16-5602 
 
 
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/1 6-72 Issued on:  17 October  2016 
 
Title:  Dispute Settlement Lawyer  Application Deadline (CET):  14 November  
2016 
 
Grade:  7 
 Division:  Appellate Body Secretariat   
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 
Regul ations.  
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, sepa ration gr ant, 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 c ompensation 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 Appellate Body Secretariat .  
 
The Appellate  Body Secretariat is responsible for delivering 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 t he 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  
 
1. Under the supervision of senior lawyers, deliver substantive legal adv ice and assistance to 
Appellate Body Members . 
 
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 appellate proceedings and 
arbitrations . Prepare wr itten analyses of these and related issues as required.  
 
3. Report, upon request and as appropriate, to Appellate Body Members, and the Director of 
the Appellate Body Secretariat, on the activities of relevant WTO bodies (especially the Dispute 
Settlement  Body) including through the preparation of analysis and papers for internal meetings . 
 
4. Deliver technical assistance and training on the substance and implementation of WTO 
agreements and dispute settlement practices and procedures; make presentations i n academic 
conferences and other settings. Contribute to the development of training material s, internal 
research materials, and WTO publications .  OFFICE( 16)/91 
 
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REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS  
 
Education:  
 
An advanced university degree in law, including studies in internatio nal trade law  and public 
international law . Studies in international economics would be an advantage, as would a licence or 
eligibility to be licensed to practice law in at least one municipal jurisdiction.  
 
Knowledge and Skills:  
 
Knowledge of internationa l trade law , the WTO agreements, and WTO jurisprudence. F amiliarity 
with international legal and economic principles and issues , and with  adjudicative processes and 
practice, in particular those of the WTO, 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 documentar y records, and 
to extract therefrom and analyse information that is  often of technical , complex , and/or economic 
nature ; and the ability to produce legal research and contribute to a coherent team product under 
high time pressure . 
 
Ability to work independ ently as well as cooperate with others in a diverse international setting  as 
a member of a team that works under severe time pressure and resource constraints and must 
produce a coherent group product; to persuade others through sound argumentation and adv ice 
while remaining flexible and open to different points of view and evolving approaches; to meet 
strict deadlines within a dynamic work environment ; to develop and maintain  collegial , respectful  
and professional  relationships with colleagues  and adjudica tors and , as appropriate, with  others 
both inside and outside the WTO, inclu ding representatives of Members .   
 
Highly developed tact and discretion and the ability to adhere rigorously to set rules of conduct 
ensuring confidentiality, impartiality and an absence of conflicts of interest.   
 
Work Experience:  
 
At least  three years relevant practical work experience as a lawyer , preferably including 
government , academic  or private sector experience in national or international trade -related 
litigation.  Experie nce with international or national judicial or adjudicative bodies would be an 
asset.  
 
Languages:  
 
Excellent English, including a demonstrated ability to write accurately, concisely, clearly and within 
tight deadlines. Knowledge of French and/or Spanish i s 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 p rocess 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 nevertheless shows them to 
be suitable for a similar position may be kept on a roster for up to 1 8 months, and may 
subsequently be called upon as and when the need arises for additional resources.  OFFICE( 16)/91 
 
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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 v acancy 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.