OFFICE(15)/60 
15-3612 
 
 
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/15-36 Issued on:  14 July 2015 
 
Title:  Dispute Settlement Lawyer Application Deadline (CET):  11 August 2015 
 
Grade:  9 
 Divisions:  Appellate Body Secretariat 
 
Contract Type:  Fixed-term 
 Starting Salary:  CHF 134,940 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 position of Dispute Settlement Lawyer in 
the Appellate Body Secretariat. 
 The Appellate Body Secretariat is responsible for de livering advice and assistance to the Appellate 
Body in connection with all aspects of appeals of panel reports. The Appellate Body Secretariat also 
advises and supports arbitrators in proceedings to determine the reasonable period of time, and, occasionally, provides advice and/or information to the Director-General, other WTO Divisions, and WTO Members, as appropriate. 
 
 General Functions  
 
1. Deliver substantive legal advice and assistance to Appellate Body Members and other lawyers and serve as team leader in less complex disputes or as co-leader in complex disputes. 
 
2. Conduct or direct research on complex and/or novel legal issues and direct the preparation of legal opinions on legal issues by more junior lawyers in the context of appeals. Deliver legal advice and assistance to adjudicators ensuring consistency with WTO law and jurisprudence while 
taking into account systemic implications. 
 3. Assist Appellate Body Members generally to stay abreast of dispute settlement and other 
WTO activities, including through the preparation of analysis and materials for internal meetings 
and reporting on the activities of relevant WTO bodies.  
4. Deliver technical assistance and training on the the WTO Agreements within the Appellate 
Body Secretariat's areas of responsibility. Contri bute to the development of training materials, 
internal research materials, and WTO publications. OFFICE(15)/60 
 
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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:  
Thorough knowledge and appreciation of international trade law and public international law, 
including legal and economic principles and issu es, and of adjudicative processes and practice, 
particularly those of the WTO. Very good knowle dge of the WTO Agreements and familiarity with 
WTO jurisprudence. Detailed knowledge of Appellate Body jurisprudence and appeal process is 
expected as well as advanced skills in producing drafts and supervising legal research under very high time pressure while ensuring coherence in jurisprudence. 
 
Excellent legal, analytical and problem-solving skills and the ability to pay close attention to detail; legal drafting skills of a very high standard and the ability to draft texts reflecting various views in a coherent manner; ability to present thoughts in a logical, succinct, articulate and persuasive 
manner, both orally and in written form. 
 Highly developed tact and discretion and the ability to adhere rigorously to and ensure adherence 
by team members and Appellate Body Members to set rules of conduct ensuring confidentiality, 
impartiality and an absence of conflicts of interest.  
Ability to conduct advanced legal research as well  as analyze and synthesize often highly technical 
and complex information of a legal, factual and/or economic nature while working under tight deadlines; to provide constructive feedback on ot hers' work product and draft texts; to persuade 
others through sound argumentation and advice while remaining flexible and open to different 
points of view and evolving approaches. 
 Ability to work independently as well as cooperate with others in a diverse international setting as 
a leader or member of a team that works under se vere time pressure and resource constraints and 
must produce a coherent group product; to effectively direct or co-direct the work of a dispute settlement team and guide team members in carry ing out assignments by providing direction, 
advice, supervision, and constructive feedback, an d managing all aspects of the process including 
time allocation and prioritization of tasks; and forge consensus with colleagues and among Appellate Body Members. To develop and maintain professional working relationships, when necessary and as appropriate, with others both inside and outside the WTO, including 
representatives of Members. 
 Work Experience: 
 
At least eight years' relevant practical work experience as a lawyer, preferably including government, academic or private sector experien ce in national or international trade-related 
litigation. Experience working with others in teams to produce a coherent group product, and 
experience leading teams. Work experience with in ternational or national courts or adjudicative 
bodies would be an asset.  
Languages: 
 Excellent command of written and spoken English including a demonstrated ability to write 
accurately, concisely, clearly and within tight de adlines. Additional knowledge of French and/or 
Spanish is desirable.  OFFICE(15)/60 
 
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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. 
______________________________________________________________________ 
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.