OFFICE(16)/10 
16-0985 
 
 
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/16-9 Issued on:  17 February 2016 
 
Title:  Dispute Settlement Lawyer Application Deadline (CET):  16 March 2016 
 
Grade:  7 
 Division:  Legal Affairs  
(2, 656) 
Contract Type:  Fixed-term 
 Starting Salary:  CHF 90,429 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 _package_e.pdf . 
 
The Secretariat of the WTO is seeking to f ill two positions of Dispute Settlement Lawyer 
in the Legal Affairs Division.  
 
The Legal Affairs Division is responsible for providing legal advice on the WTO agreements and other legal issues as they may arise, to the Director-General and the WTO Secretariat, to the 
Dispute Settlement Body and other WTO bodies, to dispute settlement panels and arbitral bodies, 
and, as appropriate, to WTO Members or the general public.   
General Functions  
 1. Under the supervision of senior lawyers, deliv er substantive legal advice and assistance to 
dispute settlement adjudicators. 
 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 dispute settlement proceedings. 
Prepare written analyses of these and related issues as required.   3. Under the supervision of senior staff, deliver legal advice and assistance to chairpersons of 
WTO bodies and negotiating groups, other WTO Divisions, the Director-General and WTO Members 
on matters within the Division's areas of responsibility.   
4. Under the supervision of senior staff, deliver technical assistance and training on matters 
within the respective Division's areas of responsi bility. Contribute to the development of training 
materials, internal research materials, and WTO publications.  
 
 OFFICE(16)/10 
 
- 2 - 
 
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 and familiarity with international legal and economic principles and issues; familiarity with adjudicative processes and practice, particularly those of the 
WTO. 
 Knowledge of the WTO Agreements and some famili arity with WTO jurisprudence is desirable.  
 
Excellent research, drafting and analytical skills an d the ability to pay close 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 an d work with voluminous documentary records, and 
to extract therefrom and analyse information that is often of a highly technical, complex, and/or economic nature; and the ability to produce legal research and contribute to a coherent team product under severe time pressure. 
 
Highly developed tact and discretion and the abili ty to adhere rigorously to rules of conduct 
ensuring confidentiality, impartiality and an absence of conflicts of interest.  
 
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 different po ints 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.   
 Work Experience: 
 
At least three years relevant practical work experience as a lawyer, preferably including 
government or private sector experience in national or international trade-related litigation and/or 
within international or national courts or adjudicative  bodies or quasi-judicial agencies of Members.   
 Languages:  
Excellent English, including a demonstrated ability to write accurately, concisely, clearly and within 
tight deadlines. Knowledge of French and/or Spanish is desirable.   
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 18 months, and may 
subsequently be called upon as and when the need arises for additional resources. OFFICE(16)/10 
 
- 3 - 
 
______________________________________________________________________ 
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. 
 
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.