OFFICE( 18)/5 
18-0490 
 
 
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/18-2 Issued on:  18 January  2018 
 
Title:  Office/Travel Assistant  Application Deadline (CET):  15 February  2018 
 
Grade:  4 
 Division:  Office of the Director -General  
(480) 
Contract Type:  Fixed -term 
 
Starting Salary:  CHF 65,341  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:  
http://www.wto.org/english/thewto_e/vacan_e/comp_package_e.pdf . 
 
 
The Secretariat of the WTO is seeking to fill a position of Office/Travel Assistant in the 
Office of the Director -General . 
 
 
General Functions  
 
Under the supervision of the Office Coordinator, the incumbent will perform the following duties:  
 
1. Provide air and ground travel -related services to the Director -General and Advisors in the 
Office of the Director -General (e.g. research on flights, arrange ground transportation, 
accommodation, VIP services, and liaise with protocol officers).  In coordination with the in -house 
Travel Agency, propose the best available t ravel options and make reservations.  Liaise directly 
with airlines for reservations and/or cancellations. Carry out all the administrative processes 
relating to travel prior to , during,  and after trips (e.g. visa applications, preparation of travel -
relate d programmes and itineraries).  
 
2. In addition to travel -related services, provide secretarial support to the Office of the 
Director -General and undertake any other tasks as assigned.  
 
3. Respond to and screen telephone calls as appropriate.  
 
4. Back up  the Correspondence Assistant during his/her absence.  
 
  
OFFICE( 18)/5 
 
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REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS  
 
Education:  
 
Completed secondary education . Air and ground travel -related qualifications would be an 
advantage.  
 
Knowledge and Skills:  
 
Good understanding of air and ground travel services (including  flight routings, aeroplane set -ups, 
protocol services procedures, etc.).  Excellent understanding of generic travel policies.  
 
Excellent organisational skills; accuracy, detail focused; ability to  multitask and  work under 
pressur e and strict deadline s; and tact and discretion.  
 
Ability to draft correspondence according to established standards and to various degrees of 
formality.  
 
Proficiency in using internet -based travel information software and services (airline, hotel websites  
etc.).  
 
Word processing skills; proficiency in MS suite of applications (or equivalent).  
 
The following interpersonal capabilities are required: ability to relate to and build relationships with 
colleagues;  ability to communicate and understand clear fac tual information;  ability to persuade 
others to a point of view using facts; ability to face and cope with conflict situations with 
colleagues;  and ability to work as a member of a team, relating to others, while working 
independently to achieve his/her o bjectives.  
 
Work Experience:  
 
Minimum three to four years' experience in a travel -related service area . Experience in providing a 
wide range of secretarial/administrative support and in the organization, processing, classification 
and archiving of correspo ndence and documentation  would be an advantage . 
 
Languages:  
 
Excellent speaking, reading and writing skills in English  and a good working knowledge of  French 
(oral and written) are required. K nowledge of Spanish would be an asset.  
 
Additional Information:  
 
The job requires the incumbent to be available to work outside regular working hours when 
required and on short notice.  
 
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 fo rms 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( 18)/5 
 
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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 t he 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 cl osing 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.