OFFICE( 19)/4 
19-0351 
 
 
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/PP /19-3 Issued on:   22 January 2019   
 
Title:   Dispute Settlement Lawyer  Application Deadline (CET):   19 February 2019  
 
Grade:   8 
 Division:   Rules  
 
Contract Type:   Project post  
 
Starting Salary:   CHF 111,652  net per 
annum (approximate)  Duration:   Eighteen months  with the possibility of 
extension  of up to an additional eighteen months  
maximum  
 
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 expens es 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:  
https://www.wto.org/english/thewto_e/vacan_e/compensation_e.htm  
 
 
The Secretariat of the WTO is seeking to fill two position s of Dispute Settlement Lawyer  
in the Rules Division .   
 
The Rules Division is responsible for all aspects of WTO work, legal and technical, in the areas of 
trade remedies (anti -dumping, countervailing and safeguard measures), subsidies, trade-related  
investment measures, state trading enterprises , and civil aircraft . The Rules Division provides legal 
advice and other assistance to dispute settlement panels  and provides implementation assistance, 
counselling a nd expert advice to WTO Members  in each of these areas , and facilitates and supports 
negotiations . 
 
General Functions  
 
Reporting to the Director of the Division or a senior officer within the Division , each incumbent  will 
be expected to carry out the following functions  in the context of a particular, assigned WTO dispute : 
 
1. Deliver substantive legal ad vice and assistance to WTO dispute settlement panelists and 
arbitrators , possibly including guiding the work of others or serving as team leader  in the assigned 
dispute . 
 
2. Conduct or direct research on complex substantive legal and technical as well as p rocedural 
issues arising in the assigned dispute . Prepare or guide the preparation of written analyses of these 
issues as required.  
 
3. Deliver such additional legal advice and assistance as may be required.  
 
 
 
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REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS  
 
Education:  
 
An advanced university degree in law . Studies in international trade law and public international law 
would be an advantage, as would studies in international economics . A licence or eligibility to be 
licensed to practice law in at least one municipal jurisdi ction is desirable.  
 
Knowledge and Skills:  
 
Good k nowledge of international trade law , the WTO Agreements and WTO jurisprudence . Familiarity 
with international legal and economic principles and issues  and with adjudicative processes and 
practice, particula rly those of the WTO , will be an advantage . Good knowledge of the specific WTO 
Agreements within the Rules Division's areas of responsibility would be an advantage, as would 
knowledge of national practices in trade remedies investigations . 
 
Very good  research, drafting and analytical skills  and ability to pay close attention to detail . In 
particular, proven ability to : present thoughts in a logical, succinct, and coherent manner, both orally 
and in written form ; familiarize oneself quickly and work wit h voluminous documentary records, and 
to extract therefrom and analyse information that is often of a highly technical, complex, and/or 
economic nature; and produce legal research and contribute to a coherent team product under very 
high time pressure . 
 
Highly developed tact and discretion and the ability to adhere rigorously to established  rules of 
conduct ensuring confidentiality, impartiality and an absence of conflicts of interest . 
 
The ability to work independently as well as to cooperate with others i n a diverse international setting  
as a member of a team ; to present  sound and persuasive argumentation and advice while remaining 
flexible and open to different points of view and evolving approaches; to effectively manage time 
and prioritize tasks  so as t o meet strict deadlines within a dynamic work environment; and to develop 
and maintain collegial, respectful and professional relationships with colleagues and adjudicators 
and, as appropriate, with others both inside and outside the WTO, including represe ntatives of 
Members . 
 
Work Experience:  
 
A minimum of five years of relevant practical experience. Experience in  WTO, other inter national or 
national trade -related litigation , and/or within judicial institutions or quasi -judicial agencies would 
be an asset , as would practical experience related to trade remedies . Experience in guiding the work 
of others is desirable .  
 
Languages:  
 
Excellent English  (at a level corresponding or equivalent to C2 according to the Common European 
Framework of Reference for Lan guages (CEFR)) , including a demonstrated ability to write accurately, 
concisely, clearly and within tight deadlines. Good knowledge of French and/or Spanish is desirable.  
 
The English language skills of all candidates being considered for short -listing wil l be assessed. To 
this end, candidates may be requested to provide language proficiency certification (e.g. CEFR, 
IELTS, etc.) and/or undergo remote testing or other assessment procedures.  
 
 
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 recruitment process may also involve the use of 
various forms of testing, assessment centres, 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 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 applicati on 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.