OFFICE( 20)/75 
20-5720 
 
 
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/20 -49 Issued on:  24 August 2020  
 
Title:  Counsellor  Application Deadline:  21 September 2020  
 
Grade:  9 
 Division:  Agriculture and Commodities  
      
Contract Type:  Fixed -term 
 
Starting Salary:  CHF 135,005  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 insurance), dependency benefits, pension plan, hea lth 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:  
https://www.wto.org/english/thewto_e/vacan_e/compensation_e.htm  
 
 
The Secretariat of the WTO is seeking to fill a position of Counsellor in the Agriculture and 
Commodities Division . 
 
The Agriculture and Commodities Division  handles all matters related to trade in agriculture 
products. It assists WTO Members in the ongoing negotiations on agriculture  to improve the existing 
rules. It provides  support in the implementation of the existing WTO rules and commitments on 
agriculture, including by ensuring that the process for reviewing multilaterally these commitments 
by the Committee on Agriculture is conducted in an effective and efficient manner . The Division also 
provides support in the implementation of the Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and 
Phytosanitary Measures, including by servicing the SPS Committee. Other activities of the Division 
include support for the implementation of the Ministerial Decision on Measures Concerning the 
Possible Negative Effects of the Reform Programme on Least -Developed and Net Food -Importing 
Developing Countries; dealing with matters related to trade in fisheries and forestry products as well 
as natural re source -based products; providing services for dispute settlement in the area of 
agriculture and SPS; providing technical assistance in all areas under its purview; and cooperation 
with other international organizations and the private sector.  The Division also houses the Secretariat 
of the Standards and Trade Development Facility and provides support to the Working Group which 
oversees the work of the Secretariat in the provision of assistance to developing countries to 
strengthen their SPS regimes to facil itate their greater participation in international trade.  
 
General Functions  
 
Reporting to the Director of the Division, the incumbent will work in the Agriculture Section and be 
responsible for the following duties:  
 
1.  Assist with the servicing of the Committee on Agriculture by writing reports and other 
documents, as requested by Members. Assist with the agriculture negotiations by working closely 
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  with the leads on the various negotiating issues as well as on other agriculture -related tasks, 
including cotton; coordinate and deliver work related to specific topics and areas of the agriculture 
negotiations; and undertake work in any other area under the responsibility of the Division as 
assigned by the Director.  
 
2.  Assist with planning, organizing and s ervicing the meetings of the Division's negotiating 
bodies, including preparing papers on topical agriculture issues, briefs and speaking notes, memos 
and ensuring the timely issuance of minutes of the meetings.  
 
3. Undertake technical assistance activitie s on substantive issues related to the work of the 
Division.  
 
4. Provide technical advice in the relevant areas, including to the senior management.  
 
5. Lead and contribute to analysis and research activities of the Division and the preparation of 
reports.  
 
6. Help junior staff in developing their professional abilities.  
 
 
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS  
 
Education:  
 
Advanced university degree or equivalent in economics, law, international trade, international 
relations, or another relevant field.  
 
Knowledge and Skills:  
 
Technical knowledge and skills:  
 
In-depth knowledge of WTO Rules, including the economic and legal principles underlying the WTO 
Agreement on Agriculture and its implementation.  
Deep understanding of the different trade and development issues related to agriculture as well as 
of the ongoing agriculture negotiations; the incumbent would be expected to follow the work on 
trade and development issues in other intergovernmental organi zations and multilateral fora.  
Excellent drafting skills including ability to draft accurate, concise and clear reports and other 
technical documents.  
 
Behavioural skills:  
 
High level of maturity, tact and diplomatic skills, including the ability to under stand the varying 
interests and negotiating positions of Members.  
Strong communication and presentation skills, including ability to communicate effectively with 
delegations, including on sensitive issues.  
The following interpersonal capabilities are req uired: ability to work as a member of a team, relating 
to others, while working independently to achieve his/her objectives; to guide the work of others; 
and to initiate and build relationships with a variety of people both inside and outside the 
organisat ion.  
 
Work Experience:  
 
Minimum eight years of relevant experience is required. The experience should include considerable 
work on agriculture negotiating issues, including the publication of relevant articles and papers.  
 
Languages:  
 
Excellent level of English, both spoken and written, is required. Working knowledge of either French 
or Spanish would be considered an asset.  
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  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 involv e 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 24 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 – Geneva (Switzerland) time –  
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.