OFFICE(14)/38 
14-4743 
 
 
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/L/14-13 Issued on:  15 August 2014 
 
Title:  Economic Affairs Officer Application Deadline (CET):  15 
September 2014 
 
Grade:   6 
 Division:   Agriculture and Commodities 
(LS06) 
Contract Type:   Fixed-term  
 
Starting Salary:   CHF 84,399 net per annum 
(approximate)  Duration:  One year 
 
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 Economic Affairs Officer in the 
Agriculture and Commodities Division to assist  in the management and administration of 
the Standards and Trade Development Facility (S TDF). This is a special contract position 
of limited duration. Serving staff members inte rested in the position are also invited to 
apply.   
General Functions  
 Under the supervision of the Secretary of the STDF and other senior officers of the Agriculture and 
Commodities Division, the incumbent will be required to undertake the following: 
 1. Collect relevant documentation related to Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) capacity 
building, assist with the preparation of short and technically accurate briefing notes and fact 
sheets on specific STDF projects and/or other th ematic topics covered by STDF's work, and update 
the STDF website as appropriate.  
2. Assist with the review of applications fo r STDF funding from developing countries, draft 
contracts with successful applicants, and assist with the monitoring of the implementation and evaluation of approved project and project prepar ation grants (including approval of reports and 
requests for payment). OFFICE(14)/38 
 
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3. Participate in relevant national, regional and/or international workshops, seminars and other 
events, including in particular events focused on the challenges facing developing countries in the 
implementation of the Agreement on the Applicatio n of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS 
Agreement), and make presentations as appropriate. 
 
4. Generally support the implementation of STDF's strategy and annual work plans, including support for the preparation and organization of ST DF meetings, drafting of reports, and accounting 
and financial tasks. 
 5. In carrying out the functions above, the incu mbent will be expected to cooperate closely 
with other partner organizations in the STDF, i.e. the Food and Agriculture Organization of the 
United Nations (FAO), the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), the World Health 
Organization (WHO) and the World Bank, as well as other relevant regional and international organizations. 
 
 REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS 
 
Education:  Advanced university degree or equivalent in econ omics, law, business administration, or a related 
field. 
 Knowledge and Skills: 
 
Knowledge and good understanding of the WTO system.   
Knowledge and understanding of the provisions of  the SPS Agreement and issues related to its 
implementation, particularly the challenges faced by developing countries.  Proven written skills which demonstrate the ability to analyse, assess and communicate clearly; 
ability to research and organize background material. Word processing skills, proficiency in MS 
suite of applications (or equivalent).   
Ability to support the implementation and management of technical cooperation projects. 
 The following interpersonal capabilities are required:  relate to and build relationships with 
colleagues;  communicate information in a clear way;  present technical facts to knowledgeable 
specialised audiences;   and work as a member of a team, relating to others, while working independently to achieve his/her objectives.  
Work Experience: 
 At least two years of practical experience in th e trade or development area. Experience in the 
preparation, implementation, management and/or evaluation of technical cooperation projects 
would be an asset.  
Languages: 
 Excellent speaking and writing skills in English. A good knowledge of at least one of the other WTO working languages (French or Spanish) would be an asset.  
 
Additional Information:  
Only applications from nationals of WTO Members will be accepted. OFFICE(14)/38 
 
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 _____________________________________________________________________ 
APPLICANTS MAY BE REQUIRED TO SIT A WRITTEN EXAMINATION 
____________________________________________________________________ 
APPLICANTS WILL BE CONTACTED DIRECTLY IF SELECTED FOR AN INTERVIEW 
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Online applications are strongly encouraged to enable the WTO to store 
your profile in a permanent database. 
 
Please visit the WTO' s E-Recruitment website at:  www.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 
 
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