OFFICE( 19)/11 
19-0628 
 
 
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/19 -10 Issued on:  5 February 2019  
 
Title:  Dispute Settlement Lawyer  Application Deadline (CET):  5 March 2019  
 
Grade:  7 
 Division:  Appellate Body Secretariat  
 
Contract Type:  Fixed -term 
 
Starting Salary:  CHF 88,890  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 hea lth 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 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 Dispute Settlement Lawyer in 
the Appellate Body Secretariat.   
 
The Appellate Body Secretariat is responsible for delivering advice and assistance to the 
Appellate Body in connection with all aspects of appeals of panel reports. The Appellate 
Body Secret ariat also often advises and supports arbitrators in proceedings to determine 
the reasonable period of time, and, occasionally, provides advice and/or information to 
the Director -General, other WTO Divisions, and WTO Members, as appropriate . 
 
 
General Func tions  
 
1. Under the supervision of senior lawyers, deliver substantive legal advice and assistance to 
Appellate Body Members.  
 
2. Under the supervision of senior lawyers, conduct research on complex substantive legal and 
technical as well as procedural issues arising in the context of appellate proceedings and arbitrations. 
Prepare written analyses of these and related issues as requ ired.  
 
3. Report, upon request and as appropriate, to Appellate Body Members, and the Director of the 
Appellate Body Secretariat, on the activities of relevant WTO bodies (especially the Dispute 
Settlement Body) including through the preparation of analys is and papers for internal meetings.  
 
4. Deliver technical assistance and training on the substance and implementation of WTO 
agreements and dispute settlement practices and procedures; make presentations in academic 
conferences and other settings. Contrib ute to the development of training materials, internal 
research materials, and WTO publications.  
OFFICE(19)/11  
 
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REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS  
 
Education:  
 
An advanced university degree in law, including studies in international trade law and public 
international law. Studies in international economics would be an advantage, as would a licence or 
eligibility to be licensed to practice law in at least one municipal jurisdiction.  
 
Knowledge and Skills:  
 
Knowledge of international trade law, the WTO agreements, and WTO jur isprudence. Familiarity with 
international legal and economic principles and issues, and with adjudicative processes and practice, 
in particular those of the WTO, is desirable.  
 
Excellent research, drafting and analytical skills and the ability to pay clo se attention to detail. The 
ability to present thoughts in a logical, succinct, and coherent manner, both orally and in written 
form. The ability to familiarize oneself quickly and work with voluminous documentary records, and 
to extract therefrom and anal yse information that is often of technical, complex, and/or economic 
nature; and the ability to produce legal research and contribute to a coherent team product under 
high time pressure.  
 
Ability to work independently as well as cooperate with others in a diverse international setting as a 
member of a team that works under severe time pressure and resource constraints and must 
produce a coherent group product; to persuade others through sound argumentation and advice 
while remaining flexible and open to dif ferent points of view and evolving approaches; to meet strict 
deadlines within a dynamic work environment; 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 representatives of Members.   
 
Highly developed tact and discretion and the ability to adhere rigorously to set rules of conduct 
ensuring confidentiality, impartiality and an absence of conflicts of interest.  
 
Work Exp erience:  
 
At least three years relevant practical work experience as a lawyer, preferably including government, 
academic or private sector experience in national or international trade -related litigation. Experience 
with international or national judicial or adjudicative bodies would be an asset.  
 
Languages:  
 
Excellent English, including a demonstrated ability to write accurately, concisely, clearly and within 
tight deadlines. Knowledge of French and/or Spanish is desirable.  
 
English language is required at a level corresponding or equivalent to a minimum of C1 according to 
the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)) . Shortlisted candidates will 
be assessed on their language skills as part of the selection process and may be  asked to p rovide 
proof of their language skills under a recognized framework  (e.g. CEFR, IELTS, UN Language 
Proficiency Exam, etc.).  
 
 
Additional Information:  
 
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 12 months, and may subsequently 
be called upon as and when the need arises for additional resources.  OFFICE(19)/11  
 
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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 o nline application  form.  
To apply, please visit the WTO's E -Recruitment website at: https://erecruitment.wto.org . 
The system provides instructions fo r 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 AP PLICATIONS RECEIVED AFTER THE  
CLOSING DATE WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED  
 
The WTO is a non -smoking environment.