OFFICE(1 8)/21 
18-1638 
 
 
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/1 8-15 Issued on:  20 March  2018 
 
Title:  Economic Affairs Officer  Application Deadline (CET):   17 April 2018 
 
Grade:  6 
 Division:  Market Access Division  
(78) 
Contract Type:  Fixed -term 
 
Starting Salary:  CHF 83,941  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 insura nce), 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 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 a position of Economic Affairs Officer in the 
Market Access Division . This is an entry level professional position.  
 
The Market Access Division handles matters related to WTO schedules of concessions 
and their modification, tariff negotiations, the Informa tion Technology Agreement (ITA) , 
quantitative restrictions, rules of origin, customs valuation, pre -shipment inspection, 
import licensing procedures , and trade facilitation. The Division services seven WTO 
bodies  dealing with these issues , including  the Co uncil for Trade in Goods (CTG)  which 
oversees the work of all subsidiary WTO bodies handling trade in goods , and it provides 
related expertise and technical assistance.  
 
 
General Functions  
 
Under the supervision of the Director and senior staff of the Div ision, the incumbent will provide 
research and analytical support to the substantive work of the Market Access Division. Specific 
duties will include:  
 
1. Conduct ing research and analysis of economic and trade -related issues concerning subjects 
covered by the Division , as well as assisting in the preparation of technical reports , as appropriate.  
 
2. Assist ing, as required, Secretaries of various Committees/Council ser viced by the Division.  
 
3. Prepar ing briefing notes , reports  and papers , as required  by WTO's senior management , as 
well as for delegations on areas of work covered by the Division.  
 
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  4. Prepar ing and deliver ing technical assistance activities  on subjects  covered by the Division, 
as well as  develop ing training materials required for such activities.  
 
5. Contribut ing to the Division's outreach activities; ensur ing effective relationships and liasing 
with Members, relevant international regional organization s, non -governmental organization, in 
the areas unde r the Division's responsibility.  
 
6. Contributing  to keeping the Division abreast of relevant developments in policy and 
knowledge.  
 
7. Participat ing in and contribut ing to other activities of the Division, as  necessary . 
 
 
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS  
 
Education:  
 
Advanced university degree in Economics , preferably with specialization in international trade  is 
required. A basic university degree in economics  combined with rele vant professional experience 
and proven expertise equivalent to an advanced university degree may also be considered.  
 
Knowledge and Skills:  
 
Technical Knowledge and Skills required:  
 
 Good knowledge of WTO legal instruments and agreements , particularly as they relate to 
the subjects covered by the Division.  
 
 Good analytical skills , including sound policy -oriented research skills .  
 
 A demonstrated ability to work with word -processing, PowerPoint, Excel and similar 
software . Capacity to process and analyse data, as well as experience in the use of a 
statistical program (e.g. R, SAS, SPSS, etc.), will be considered an asset.  
 
 A high level of drafting skills (e.g. correspondence, reports, records of meetings, 
background papers etc)  
 
 Ability to present technic al facts to a variety of audiences, inclu ding knowledgeable 
specialised one s.  
 
Behavioural Skills required:  
 
 Good organizational skills , including t ime manag ement and prioritization skills; ability to 
work swiftly and accurately  and meet strict deadlines . Flexibility and adaptability.    
 
 Political sensitivity and awareness; tact and diplomacy.  
 
 Ability to understand and communicate information in a clear way .  
 
 Ability to work as a member of a team, relating to others, while working independently to 
achiev e his/her objectives . 
 
 Ability to initiate and build relationships with a variety of people both inside and outside 
the organization.  
 
 Ability to adhere rigorously to rules of conduct ensuring confidentiality, impartiality and an 
absence of conflicts of in terest . 
 
Work Experience:  
 
A minimum of two years of professional experience in the area of trade in academia, 
Governmental Institutions and/or International Organisations.  
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Languages:  
 
Excellent knowledge of English and good proficiency in French is required, including the ability to 
draft accurately, concisely and rapidly , as well as to make  presentations  on technical issues .  A 
very good knowledge of Spanish , including being able to draft technical reports and deliver 
technical assistance , would be an asset.  
 
 
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 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 12 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 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.