OFFICE(18 )/30 
18-2146 
 
 
 
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 -18 Issued on:  9 April 2018      
 
Title:  Communications  Officer  Application  Deadline (CET):  7 May 2018      
 
Grade:  6 
 Division:  Information and External 
Relations  
(498) Contract Type:  Fixed -term 
 
Starting Salary:  CHF 82,962  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 gran t, 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 the position of Communications Officer in 
the Information and External Relations Division.   
 
The Information and External Relations Division communicates information about the 
World Trade Organization to a variety of audiences. This is made available throu gh the 
WTO web site, an extensive publications programme and regular briefings aimed at 
specific audiences, such as journalists, non -governmental organizations (NGOs), 
parliamentarians and students.  
 
 
General Functions  
 
Under the overall guidance of the Di rector of the Division, t he incumbent will report to the Head of 
Press Section  and undertake the following responsibilities:  
 
1. Follow and provide public information on developments in the WTO, in general and in 
assigned beats. Provide timely, accurate, b alanced, relevant, factual and understandable 
information on these developments through various channels — the website, briefings by email, 
social media, and in -person for journalists and others who are interested — so that a diverse range 
of non -specialis t and specialist audiences can be kept abreast of what is happening in the WTO. 
The output includes news, press releases, background explanations, fact sheets and longer 
explanatory texts for the public website and for journalists, as well as social media postings.  
  
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  2. Act as a bridge between in -house specialists and the technicians working on WTO public 
information outlets, particularly the website but also publications: editing and organizing material 
for public access, including setting up or adapting web gateways and content pages fo r ease of use 
and understanding.   
 
3. Assist in  monitor ing media coverage, particularly Chinese -language media, and some 
academic analysis of issues relevant to the WTO, and keep up -to-date with developments related 
to the work of the Secretariat and the Information and External Relations Division.   
 
4. Manag e and oversee the WTO's Chinese -language social media outlets ( e.g. Weibo).  
 
5. Assist in o utreach  activities : introduc e the WTO to groups of visitors; organiz e and 
participat e in seminars, workshops and training events for journalists, NGOs (including civil society 
and business organization s), Parliamentarians and others.   
 
6. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with journalists, other groups among 
the general public, as well as with experts in the Secretariat and in delegations, so that 
communication is effective.  The incumbent in particular will be responsi ble for maintaining and 
developing effective working relations with Chinese -language journalists and other groups.  
 
7. Assist with  setting up press facilities for major events such as Ministerial Conferences.  
 
 
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS  
 
Education:  
 
Advance d university degree level in journalism , public relations  or another relevant field, or a 
university degree with proven professional expertise equivalent to an advanced university degree.  
 
Knowledge and Skills:  
 
Technical Knowledge and Skills:  
 
The applica nt must :  
- possess good knowledge of WTO, trade and macroeconomic issues;  
- be a strong communicator with excellent speaking, writing and journalistic skills;  
- be well versed in the use of relevant communications tools, including social me dia, websites a nd 
audio/visual; and  
- have the capacity to speak with clarity and authority.  
 
Behavioural skills:  
 
The applicant must have the following interpersonal capabilities:  
- to initiate and build relationships with a variety of people both inside and outside th e 
organization;  
- to communicate information in a clear way and to understand information ;  
- to persuade others to a point of view using facts ;  
- to make presentations on a variety of subjects to a wide variety of audiences; and 
- to work as a member of a team, relating to others, while working independently to  achieve 
his/her objectives . 
 
Work Experience:  
 
Minimum two years' experience in journalism, public relations or as a press officer in a government 
or another international organ ization.  
 
Languages:  
 
Excellent speaking and writing skills in English and Mandarin Chinese are essential. A good working 
level of French and /or Spanish is an advantage.  
 
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  Additional Information:  
 
Only applications from nationals of WTO Members will be acc epted.  
 
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 ref erence 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 fo r 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 o nline application  form.  
To apply, please visit the WTO's E -Recruitment website at: https://erecru itment.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.