OFFICE(16)/29 
16-1535 
 
 
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/L/16-20 Issued on:  16 March 2016 
 
Title:  Regional Desk Assistant Application Deadline (CET):  13 April 2016  
 
Grade:  5 
 Division:  Institute for Training and 
Technical Cooperation 
(L024) Contract Type:  Fixd-term 
 Starting Salary:  CHF 72,251 net per annum 
(approximate)  Duration:  One year with the possibility of 
extension subject to performance, continued 
need for the functions and availability of funds. 
 
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_p ackage_e.pdf.  
 
 
The Secretariat of the WTO is seeking to fill a position of Regional Desk Assistant in the 
Institute for Training and Technical Cooper ation to assist in technical cooperation 
related work pursuant to the Doha Development Agenda. 
  General Functions  
 
Working under the Head of the Regional Desk for As ia & Pacific and the Head of the Regional Desk 
for English-speaking Africa, and under the general supervision of the Administrative Assistant, the 
Regional Desk Assistant will assist in planning and organizing technical assistance (TA) activities in 
the two Regions, both at the regional and national  level, in liaison with the other WTO divisions, 
Geneva-based delegates, capital-based officials and regional partners. More specifically, the 
incumbent will undertake the following responsibilities: 
 1. Maintain and update the Trade-Related Techni cal Assistance (TRTA) database; export data 
for monitoring and statistics purposes. 
 
2. Provide a wide range of secretarial support, which may include handling and drafting of correspondence, e-mail management, screening and responding to telephone calls, creating and 
maintaining filing systems.  
 3. Under the supervision of the Heads of Desk, inform stakeholders on TRTA procedures, and 
assist in scheduling planned activities; assist in the preparation of e-Activity Requests and related 
documents (i.e. programme, letters of invitation, and letter of agreement with partner); initiate and process contracts for the hiring of external cons ultants/experts for the delivery of TA activities.  OFFICE(16)/29 
 
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  4. Assist in the preparation of documents/training manuals and publications, which may include 
formatting, editing, proof-reading; coordinate and monitor document reproduction in liaison with 
the Documents Production Unit; gather and arrange information for the preparation of country 
briefs and other TA-related papers; draft country briefs; and create presentation slides and charts where required. 
 
5. Carry out administrative tasks as assigned by  the Administrative Assistant; provide back-up 
support in the absence of the Administrative Assistant.   
 
6. May train and mentor new secretarial staff.   7. Maintain skills up-to-date and remain abreast of new office procedures and software. 
 
 REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS 
 
Education:  
In addition to completed secondary education, a secretarial qualification is required; a relevant 
post-secondary qualification is an asset.  Knowledge and Skills: 
 
Knowledge and understanding of the work of the WTO.  
Advanced secretarial skills; office management an d strong organizational skills; word processing 
skills and proficiency in MS suite of applications (or equivalent) at advanced level.  
Ability to work under minimum supervision; ability  to work under pressure and strict deadlines; 
multi-tasking skills; flexibility / adaptability in fast changing environment; tact and discretion.  The following interpersonal capabilities are required : capacity to perform different changing tasks; 
relate to and build relationships with colleagues; communicate information in a clear way and 
understand information; persuade others to a poin t of view using facts;  face and cope with 
c onfl ic t s itua tions  w ith c o l le ag ue s ; and  work as  a me mb e r of a g roup , re lating  to othe rs , wh ile  
working independently to achieve his/her objectives. 
 Work Experience: 
 
Minimum 5 years' secretarial experience, preferably in an international organization or a government ministry environment.  
Languages: 
 Excellent speaking and writing skills in English and French; skills in Spanish would be an asset. 
 
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. 
 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. OFFICE(16)/29 
 
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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 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.