OFFICE(16)/63 
16-3861 
 
 
 
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/16-50 Issued on:  18 July 2016 
 
Title:  Office Assistant Application Deadline (CET):  15 August 2016 
 
Grade:  4 
 Division:  Office of the Director-General 
(251) 
Contract Type:  Fixed-term 
 
Starting Salary:  CHF 65,035 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, 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 compen sation package is provided on the 
WTO website: 
http://www.wto.org/english/thewto _e/vacan_e/comp_p ackage_e.pdf.  
 
 
The Secretariat of the WTO is seeking to fill a p osition of Office 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. Manage and record all incoming and outgoing correspondence, the majority of which will be 
in English. Review and draft correspondence and relevant documentation as assigned. Manage 
incoming and outgoing faxes through Outlook.  
2. Provide a range of secretarial support to the Office of the Director-General (DGO) and 
undertake any other tasks as assigned. Manage agendas of some of the DGO Advisors and maintain a filing system in conformity with the centralised Registry system.  
3. Respond to and screen telephone calls as appropriate and coordinate conference calls.  
 4. Provide back-up assistance in organizing travel arrangements for DG/DGO trips (e.g. 
transport, accommodation, and protocol services). 
 5. Keep skills up-to-date, in particular correspondence formatting and other document 
production requirements and keeping abreast of new office software including willingness to work 
on new applications as they are developed.  OFFICE(16)/63 
 
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  6. Carry out other assignments and ad-hoc tasks as may be required. 
 
 
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS  
Education: 
 Completed secondary education; secretarial or administrative qualifications would be desirable.  
 
Knowledge and Skills:  Secretarial skills; word processing skills, proficienc y in MS suite of applications (or equivalent). 
Ability to draft correspondence in English; ability to format documents according to organizational 
guidelines. Excellent organizational skills;  accuracy, detail-focused; 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 to work as a member of a team, relating to others, while working independently to achieve his/her objectives. 
 
The job requires a willingness to be flexible in working hours depending on work demands and schedules. 
 
Work Experience:  
Three to four years' secretarial/administrative experience. 
 Languages:  
Excellent speaking, reading and writing skills in English and working level of 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 re cruitment process may also involve the use of 
various forms of testing, assessment cent res, 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. 
______________________________________________________________________ 
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 online 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. 
 OFFICE(16)/63 
 
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  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 APPLICATIONS RECEIVED AFTER THE 
CLOSING DATE WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED 
 
The WTO is a non-smoking environment.