OFFICE(17 )/53 
17-3588 
 
 
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/L/17-38 Issued on:  4 July 2017      
 
Title:  Economic Affairs Officer  Application Deadline (CET):  1 August  2017      
 
Grade:  8 
 Division:  Agriculture a nd Commodities  
(LS05) 
Contract Type:  Fixed -term 
 
Starting Salary:  CHF 112,969 net per annum  
(approximate)  Duration:  Two years. The contact may be 
renewed subject to fully satisfactory  
performance of the incumbent and the 
continued availability  of funds.     
 
The Secretariat of the WTO is seeking to fill a position of Economic Affairs Officer in the 
Agriculture and Commodities Division to assist in technical cooperation and capacity 
building work, in particular with regard to the administration of the Sta ndards and Trade 
Development Facility (STDF , http://www.standardsfacility.org/ ). 
 
 
General Functions  
 
Under the overall guidance of the Director of the Agriculture and Commodities Division and the 
supervisi on of the Secretary of the STDF, the incumbent will be required to:  
 
1. Guide the development of and review applications for STDF projects and project preparation 
grants (PPGs), prepare contracts for the implementation of  projects and PPGs approved, and 
provide oversight of project and PPG implementation and evaluation , as required , including 
reporting and financial oversight.  
 
2. Lead STDF work related to the coordination of technical cooperation activities in the SPS 
area. In carrying out this function, t he incumbent will be expected to cooperate closely with the 
other STDF founding partners (F ood and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 
World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) , World Health Organization (WHO)  and World Bank), 
inter-governmental organizations, donors, beneficiaries and other relevant Aid -for-Trade 
mechanisms, including the Enhanced Integrated Framework. Specific tasks will be related to 
organizing events at global and regional level, on specific thematic topics relevant t o the STDF.  
 
3. Provide assistance on communications and outreach activities, including preparation of 
project results stories, briefing notes and other materials documenting experiences and good 
practice in SPS capacity building, and u pdate content and re levant sections of the STDF website  in 
this regard . 
 
4. Prepare reports, memos and briefing materials on the STDF for senior management, STDF 
partners, donors and beneficiaries.  
 
5. Participate in national, regional and multilateral workshops, seminars or symposia with 
particular focus on the difficulties fac ed by  developing countries in the implementation of the 
Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS Agreement).  
 
6. Where germane to implementation of the STDF, assist in th e servicing of meetings of the 
WTO SPS Committee.  
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REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS  
 
Education:  
 
An advanced university degree in economics, law, business administration , 
agriculture/veterinary/food science  or other relevant field, or a basic university degree and  proven 
professional knowledge and expertise  equivalent to an advanced university degree in the 
aforementioned domain(s) . 
 
Knowledge and Skills:  
 
Excellent knowledge and understanding of the problems faced by developing countries in the 
implementation of t he SPS Agreement and in meeting the SPS requirements of importing 
countries.  
Good understanding of the functioning of the WTO . 
Excellent analytical and writing skills, including ability to produce information materials and 
products for different audiences .  
Good organizational skills.  
Ability to communicate information in a clear way and to understand information.  
Ability to present technical facts to knowledgeable specialised audiences . 
Ability to work independently, under tight deadlines, and to coopera te with others in a diverse 
multicultural environment . 
Ability to initiate and build relationships with a variety of people both inside and outside the 
organization.  
Ability to exercise tact and discretion and to maintain confidentiality.  
 
Work Experience:  
 
A minimum of five years relevant experience in the administration and management of SPS -
related technical cooperation projects in developing countries.   
 
Languages:  
 
Excellent knowledge of English  and either French or Spanish , including the ability to dr aft 
accurately, concisely and rapidly and to make effective presentations. Working knowledge of a 
third WTO language (French or Spanish), including the ability to make effective presentations, is 
considered a  strong asset . 
 
Additional Information:  
 
The pos ition 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 tel econference 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 proc ess 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 o nline application  form.  OFFICE(17 )/53 
 
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  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.