OFFICE( 18)/99 
18-7729 
 
 
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.  
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Vacancy Notice No.:  EXT/F/18 -68 Issued on:  6 December 2018  
 
Title:  Head of Dispute Settlement/Managing 
Lead Lawyer  Application Deadline (CET):  18 January 2019  
 
Grade:  10 
 Division:  Rules  
(86) 
Contract Type:  Fixed -term 
 
Starting Salary:  CHF 157,859  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:  
https://www.wto.org/english/thewto_e/vacan_e/compensation_e.htm  
 
 
The Secretariat of the WTO is seeking to fill the position of Head of Dispute 
Settlement/Managing Lead Lawyer . 
 
 
General Functions  
 
The Rules Division provides support to panels for disputes in the areas of trade remedies, subsidies 
and state trading enterprises, which collectively account for roughly  half of all WTO disputes. Under 
the supervision of the Director of the Division, the Head of Dispute Settlement/Managing Lead 
Lawyer will be responsible for managing the team of approximately 15 lawyers plus support staff in 
all dispute settlement activit ies within the Rules Division, with a view to ensuring the provision of 
consistent, timely and high -quality advice to panels. The specific duties include but are not limited 
to:  
 
1. Plan and organize the work of the Division's dispute settlement team by a ssigning dispute 
settlement lawyers and other staff to assist and support dispute settlement panels.   
  
2. Lead and motivate the Division's dispute settlement staff, providing legal and substantive 
guidance and mentoring to staff in carrying out their dut ies, setting objectives required, reviewing 
output (e.g. legal and other work) and performance of the staff, supporting the development of the 
knowledge and skills of staff, and ensuring that appropriate staff training plans are in place and 
executed.  
 
3. Build and maintain relationships with adjudicators and the Members in order to serve the WTO 
as appropriate, while scrupulously maintaining neutrality and observing ethical obligations including 
the WTO's Dispute Settlement Rules of Conduct.  
 
4. Coordinate  closely with other Divisions of the Secretariat on issues relating to the WTO's 
dispute settlement functions.  
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5. Oversee the Division's functions in assisting the parties to disputes and, as required, the 
Director -General in the panel composition proce ss.    
 
6. Represent the WTO Secretariat in various public and academic activities in Geneva and abroad 
that address WTO dispute settlement matters and legal issues of relevance to the WTO.  
 
7. Undertake other tasks that may be assigned by the Division Director.  
 
 
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS  
 
Education:  
 
Advanced university degree in law, including studies in international trade law. Should be licensed 
or be eligible to be licensed to practice law i n at least one municipal jurisdiction.  
 
Knowledge and Skills:  
 
The Head of Dispute Settlement/Managing Lead Lawyer must have the skills and ability to guide, 
empower and motivate a team of approximately 15 lawyers, as well as support staff, to excel in 
their jobs. He/she must be able to build a team culture that consistently delivers high -quality results.  
 
The successful candidate must possess and demonstrate significant management and organizational 
skills and experience (planning and organizing work, mana ging people and performance, managing 
resources).  
 
The successful candidate must demonstrate an expert level of knowledge in international trade law 
and litigation. He/she must have an excellent knowledge of economic and legal issues relating to the 
WTO, and an in -depth theoretical and practical knowledge of trade remedies. He/she must also 
possess an expert level of drafting skills in English.  
 
Proven ability to interact and work with others in a diverse international setting in a harmonious and 
effective way is a must.   
 
The successful candidate must ha ve good presentation and communication skills as well as a high 
level of political awareness and sensitivity.  
 
Intellectual flexibility and the ability to find solutions are essential.  
 
High ethical standards and the ability to ensure adherence by others to established rules of conduct 
are also required.  
 
Work Experience:  
 
A minimum of 15 years relevant experience, including extensive management experience and 
proven success with broad supervisory responsibilities in a legal environment. Experience as a legal 
practitioner in either the public or private sectors, including considerable practical experience in 
trade law, trade litigation and dispute settlement mechanisms. Significant practical experience in 
the conduct of or participation in national trade remedies proceedings also is required.  
 
Languages:  
 
Fluent knowledge of English and an expert level of drafting skills in English is essential  (at a level 
corresponding or equivalent to C2 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for 
Languag es (CEFR)), including a demonstrated ability to write accurately, concisely and quickly, and 
to review and edit efficiently and effectively the written work of other lawyers.  A good knowledge 
of French and/or Spanish would be an asset.  
 
The English langua ge skills of all candidates being considered for short -listing will be assessed. To 
this end, candidates may be requested to provide language proficiency certification (e.g. CEFR, 
IELTS, etc.) and/or undergo remote testing or other assessment procedures.  
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  Additional Information:  
 
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 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.  
 
All applicants are encouraged to apply online as soon as possible afte r 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.