OFFICE(17 )/77 
17-4401 
 
 
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.  
______________________________________________________________________  
 
Vacancy Notice No.:  EXT/L/17 -57 Issued on:  25 August  2017 
 
Title:  Technical Assistance Officer  Application Deadline (CET):  22 September  2017 
 
Grade:  7 
 Division:  Intellectual  Property, Government 
Procurement and Competition  
(L005) Contract Type:  Fixed -term 
 
Starting Salary:  CHF 89,939  net per annum  
(approximate)  Duration:  One year. The contract may be  
renewed subject to the fully satisfactory  
performance of the incumbent an d the 
continued 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 (sub ject 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 remova l 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 to fill a position of Technical Assistance  
Officer in the Intellectual Property, Government Procurement and Competition Divis ion, 
to assist in technical cooperation related work pursuant to the Doha Development 
Agenda . 
  
 
General Functions  
 
Under the supervision of the Director and other senior professional staff, the incumbent will 
contribute to and undertake coordination and d elivery of technical assistance activities in the area 
of Trade -Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) .  These activities address  legal, 
economic and policy issues concerning intellectual property within the international trade system 
and in domestic legal systems, with a particular focus on LDC needs and priorities, and deal with 
the intellectual property dimension of related areas, including public health, green technology, 
innovation policy and development, competition policy, digital tr ade and value added trade.  
 
More specifically, the incumbent will carry out the following functions:  
 
1. Play a central role in planning , coordinating and delivering technical assistance on all aspects 
related to TRIPS and intellectual property policy , and contribute as required to technical co -
operation among other issues covered by the Division , including on trade and health.  
 
2. Ensure the provision of expert technical and policy advice to Members, acceding 
governments, other Divisions, senior managemen t and other intergovernmental organizations OFFICE(17 )/77 
 
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  principally regarding the TRIPS Agreement and related legal and policy issues as well as other 
areas covered by the Division.  
 
3. Contribute to the servicing of the TRIPS Council on issues related to technical co -operation 
and provide related input to Ministerial conferences and other Secretariat -wide processes.   
 
4. Contribute to the planning and delivery of key outreach activities , focused on the needs of 
developing country Members ; ensure effective relationshi ps, liaison  and coordination of technical 
assistance  with other relevant international and regional organizations, non -governmental 
organizations, academia and professional organisations,  in the areas under the Division's 
responsibility ; and ensure Web -based information and documentation related to technical 
assistance and TRIPS issues are useful and up to date . 
 
5. Conduct research and analysis and prepare inputs on selected Trade Policy Review reports 
on intellectual property and other matters covered by  the Division.  
 
6. Participate in and contribute to other activities of the Division.  
 
 
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS  
 
Education:  
 
Advanced university degree or equivalent in law, economics, international relations or a related 
field, including some coverage of intellectual property and international trade law.  
 
Knowledge and Skills:  
 
Familiarity with the legal, economic and policy dimensions of intellectual property and its 
relationship with international trade and development; and a proven ability to write and  speak 
publicly including on technical subjects for a non -technical audience.  
Knowledge of the legal principles of the intellectual property system and the multilateral trade law 
system, in particular the TRIPS Agreement, and understanding of its applicat ion at the domestic 
level.  
 
Highly developed technical and analytical skills . 
Excellent drafting skills (e.g. drafting accurate, concise and clear reports and other technical 
documents dealing with complex issues requiring little, if any revisions) . 
Plann ing and o rganizational skills . 
Presentation skills . 
Expert policy -oriented research skills . 
Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications such as Word, PowerPoint, Excel, etc.  
 
The following interpersonal capabilities are required:  the ability to persuade o thers to a point of 
view using facts; to present technical facts to knowledgeable specialised audience; to face and 
cope with conflict situations with colleagues; to work as a member of a team, relating to others, 
while working independently to achieve his /her objectives; to relate to and build relationships with 
colleagues; and capacity for tact and effective oral communication in a multicultural and 
international setting.  
 
 
Work Experience:  
 
Minimum three  years' relevant professional experience, includin g extensive experience in planning, 
coordinating, delivering and assessing technical cooperation activities addressing trade and 
development, including activities dealing with aspects of intellectual property, and experience with 
coordination of technical assistance with multilateral or regional organizations.  OFFICE(17 )/77 
 
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  Languages:  
 
Excellent command of English, both oral and written, including the ability to deliver a technical 
assistance event, is essential. A good command of French is also required – ability to d eliver a 
technical assistance event in French will be considered an advantage. Knowledge of 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 q ualifications.  
 
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 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.  
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 a nd 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.