OFFICE( 17)/50 
17-3212 
 
 
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/F/17-35 Issued on:  15 June 2017 
 
Title:  Secretary /Assistant  Application Deadline (CET):  13 July 2017 
 
Grade:  4 
 Division:  Institute for Training and 
Technical Cooperation  
(256) 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 Pens ion 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, health 
insuranc e 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 inform ation 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 Secretary /Assistant  to work 
50% in the Trade Negotiations Skill s Unit (TNS) and 50% the Logistics Unit of the 
Institute for Training and Technical Cooperation . The TNS Unit is responsible for 
organizing courses on trade negotiating skills . The Logistics Unit provides logistical 
backstop for WTO technical assistance ac tivities.  
 
 
General Functions  
 
The Secretary is expected to assist in the work of the two Units, following through the process of 
preparing for upcoming T echnical Assistance (TA)  activities, including anticipating documents 
required, following up with exte rnal parties involved in the process, and closely monitoring the 
processes leading to the implementation of activities and reporting thereof. Under the supervision 
of the Head of the TNS Unit and the Head of the Log istics Unit , the incumbent is expected to :  
 
1. Prepare drafts of internal communication  material  of various types (e.g. memoranda, 
invitation letters for review by Head of Unit or TA Specialist) addressed to other WTO divisions.  
 
2. Complete various online requisition forms for the  organization of activities, shipment of 
documents and publications, and reports.   
 
3. With training and guidance from the supervisor, assist in preparing the TA activity material 
by creating Excel spreadsheets from existing data and undertaking certain calculations. Assist TA 
activity participants on question s relating to the Excel spreadsheet material . OFFICE( 17)/50 
 
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  4. Assist in the coordination of TA activities, including: liaising with 
consultants/facilitators/trainers during the organization  of activities, with regard to the  travel 
itineraries and service contracts;  provid ing communication  material  and documents and seek other 
information as necessary ; assisting in the selection of participants of activities organized by the 
TNS Unit;  ensure the booking of meeting rooms and requi red equipment (e.g. for video -
conferences) through collaboration with Conferences and Visitors Service ; identif ying and 
dispatch ing CD ROMS, working documents, publications sets prior to the TA activities.  
 
5. Follow through on logistical preparations for TA events, including on  preparing and following 
through on  invitations and reminders, flight reservations  and travel arrangements  payments, etc. 
and in coordination with the relevant partners such as the Travel Agency, Finance Section, the 
bank and other s takeholders involved in the event.   
 
6. Proofread documents and communications emanating from the assigned areas of work.  
 
 
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS  
 
Education:  
 
Completion of secondary e ducation . Secretarial qualifications  desirable . 
 
Knowledge and Skills:  
 
Excellent speaking and writing skills  including a bility to draft correspondence in English ; excellent 
secretarial and word processing skills; ability to format documents according to  established  
organizational guidelines ; abilty to work with relevant IT software  (e.g. Excel, Formstack, etc.).  
 
Excellent organizational skills;  accuracy  with attention to detail ; ability to work under pressure and 
strict deadlines; and tact and discretion.   
 
The following interpersonal capabilities are required: ability to  relate to and build relationships with 
colleagues; ability to communicate and understand clear factual information; ability to persuade 
others to a point of view using facts; ability to face and cope with conflict situations with 
colleagues; and ability t o work as a member of a team, relating to others, while working 
independently to achieve his/her objectives.  
 
Work Experience:  
 
Three to four  years' relevant  experience.  
 
Languages:  
 
Excellent speaking, reading and writing skills in English and French are required. 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 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 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 Please type number here. 
months, and may subsequently be called upon as a nd when the need arises for additional 
resources.  OFFICE( 17)/50 
 
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  ______________________________________________________________________  
APPLICANTS MAY BE REQUIRED TO SIT A WRITTEN EXAMINATION  
______________________________________________________________________  
APPLICAN TS 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 websi te 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 Europea n 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.