OFFICE(15)/112 
15-6863 
 
 
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/F/15-62 Issued on:  22 December 2015 
 
Title:  Buyer Application Deadline (CET):  21 January 
2016 
 
Grade:  5 
 Division:  Administration and General 
Services 
(274) Contract Type:  Fixed-term 
 
Starting Salary:  CHF 72,251 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 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 Buyer in Procurement Service 
of the Administration and General Services Division. 
  
General Functions  
 Reporting to the Head of Procurement Service and working closely with other members of the 
Procurement Service and on the basis of the Fi nancial Rules, the Procurement Policy, and the 
manual of procedures and other rules applicable to WTO procurement, the incumbent will 
undertake the following responsibilities:  
1. Advise requesting units on procurement methodology and process planning. 
 2. Perform routine procurement tasks:  check requests from different WTO Divisions;  confirm 
budgetary estimates;  source suppliers;  call for and receive bids/proposals;  conduct comparative 
analysis of and decide on products/services in accordance with criteria relating to quality, price and the length of time required to deliver goods or complete services contracts. 
 
3. Manage suppliers:  update the supplier database on a regular basis; monitor the market 
with a view to identifying new suppliers; evaluate supplier performance.  
4. Prepare purchase orders:  using Oracle, prepare purchase orders taking into account 
relevant budgetary codes and cost centres; follow up orders placed with suppliers and ensure that contract deadlines are met. 
 
5. Invitations to bid/requests for proposals:  participate in the preparation of local and international invitations to bid/requests for proposals while ensuring that the financial regulations OFFICE(15)/112 
 
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  are applied.  Such invitations to bid/requests for proposals cover a wide variety of fields relating to 
the routine activities of the Secretariat, many of which involve the procurement of IT equipment 
and services, and activities under the WTO single si te project;  participate in the preparation of 
submissions to the Contracts Committee;  participate in the preparation/negotiation of contracts and framework agreements. 
 
6. Perform tasks relating to the recycling or disposal of obsolete WTO equipment. 
 
7. Help with updating statistics data relevant to the work of the team. 
  REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS 
 
Education:  
Completion of secondary school and/or equivalent technical or commercial studies in procurement. 
A recognized professional training and/or cert ification in the area of procurement (CIPS or 
equivalent). Higher-level studies with specialization in a discipline related to procurement would be 
an advantage. 
 Knowledge and Skills:  
Proficiency in MS Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint; proficiency in Oracle I-Procurement or 
another procurement system. Excellent drafting skills.   
 
Knowledge and good understanding of the (WTO) Fina ncial Rules and Regulations, in particular to 
the regulations focusing on the administration of procurement procedures. 
Working knowledge of the Pu blic Procurement cycle. 
Specific knowledge of the procurement of IT equipment and services.    Confidentiality skills to ensure that information is accessible only to those authorised to have 
access. 
 The following interpersonal capabilities are required: relate to and build relationships with 
colleagues; communicate information in a clear way and understand information; persuade others 
to a point of view using facts; present technical facts to knowledgeable specialised audiences; and work as a member of a group, relating to others, while working independently to achieve his/her 
objectives. 
 Ability to work under pressure and respect deadlines.  
Work Experience: 
 At least five years of relevant work experience in an international organization, government or in 
the private sector, two of which working within a procurement function. Previous experience in 
market research and supplier management.  
Languages: 
 Excellent knowledge of English and French , both oral and written, is required. 
 
Additional Information: 
 The position may be offered at a lower grade if the selected candidate does not fully meet all the 
required qualifications. 
 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 re cruitment process may also involve the use of 
various forms of testing, assessment cent res, interviews and reference checks. 
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  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 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 INTERVIEW 
______________________________________________________________________ 
Please note that all candidates must complete an online 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.