OFFICE( 16)/81 
16-4843 
 
 
 
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 di versity.  
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Vacancy Notice No.:  EXT/F/16-61 Issued on:  16 September 2016 
 
Title:  Director  Application Deadline (CET):  31 October 2016 
 
Grade:  11 
 Division:  Trade in Services and Investm ent 
(49) 
Contract Type:  Fixed -term 
 
Starting Salary:  CHF 186,891  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 
Regulat ions. 
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, separa tion 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 com pensation 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 o f Director in the Trade in 
Services and Investment Division . The successful candidate is expected to take up the 
position as of 1 October 2017.  
 
General Functions  
 
This is a senior post which carries a high level of responsibility in managerial, political and 
technical terms. Reporting to a Deputy Director -General , the appointee will lead the Trade in 
Services and Investment  Division  which provides support and technical advice to WTO members 
on the implementation of the General Agreement on Trade in Service s (GATS) and on further 
negotiations mandated by the Agreement.  The work of the Division entails supporting the Council 
for Trade in Services (both in regular and special session) as well as other bo dies established 
under the GATS such as the Committee on Financial Services, the Committee on Specific 
Commitments, the Working Party on Domestic Regulation, and the Working Party on GATS Rules . 
 
Specific responsibilities of the appointee will include:  
 
1. Lead and manage the overall work of the team in the Trade in Services and Investment 
Division. Prioritize and plan the use of Divisional resources and budget to achieve the required 
Divisional outputs and results. Provide guidance to staff in carrying out their work, setting out the 
performance objectives of th e staff members and assess ing their performance .   
 
2.      Oversee the work of the Division in respect of the implementation of the relevant WTO 
Agreements; pr ovide advice and guidance to Chairs and support to delegations as appropriate and 
in a effective  manner.    
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  3.  Contribute to advancing negotiations  and facilitating agreement with appropriate analysis, 
advice and guidance.   
 
4.  Oversee the work of  the Division  in assisting the servicing of dispute settlement panels in 
areas of the Division's compet ence.  
 
5.     Maintain productive professional relationships with  WTO Members, understanding their 
particular interests and concerns and providing appropriate advice  and technical assistance .  
 
6. Oversee and contribute to the Division's technical cooperat ion and capacity -building 
activities with regard to all matters under the Division's purview.   
 
7.    Co-ordinate the Division's work with that of other Divisions, including providing substantive 
contributions to their work  and to joint projects or task f orces . 
 
8. Maintain the Division's relationships with other relevant international organizations  and 
represent the WTO at high -level meetings.  More broadly, l ead the Division's outreach activities, 
maintaining a network of contacts with officials in g overn ment, international organiz ations, 
research institutions, universities, NGOs and the private sector to enhance dialogue on issues of 
mutual interest in  relevant areas.  
 
9. Represent the D irector -General  and the WTO Secretariat in various intergovernmental,  
public and academic events in Geneva and abroad that address matters related to trade in services 
and investment issues of relevance to the WTO.  
 
10.   Support the Director -General and  Senior Management by providing reports, briefings and 
other informatio n and advice as required.  
 
 
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS  
 
Education:  
 
An advanced university degree in international law, economics or other relevant field s. 
 
Knowledge and Skills : 
 
The Director  of the Trade in Services and Investment  Division  must have the ski lls to lead  and 
motivate a team of approximately 20  staff members to excel in their jobs. He/she must be able to 
build and maintain a team culture that consistently delivers high -quality results.  
 
Demonstration of the Core Personal Skills applicable to all  staff at the WTO Secretariat  (teamwork, 
communication,  problem -solving and decision -making, quality of results/delivery, anticipation and 
initiative,  flexibility/adaptability) is fundamental.  
 
The successful candidate must have a thorough understanding of the legal, economic and political 
issues relating  to trade in services,  the WTO legal framework and international and national trade -
related  policy instruments.  An understanding of policy and regulatory frameworks governing 
various services sectors is als o necessary, as well as investment policy issues and the current 
international investment regime. He/she must have excellent analytical and drafting skills.  
 
He/she must have strong negotiating and diplomatic skills. A high level of political awareness and  
sensitivity is needed, together with the ability to communicate effectively inside and outside the 
WTO.  
 
Proven capacity to maintain relationship s and facilitate consensus both inside and outside the 
WTO, including with representatives of WTO Members, is required.  
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  Work Experience:  
 
At least fifteen years’ experience in senior roles related to international trade and public policy 
areas in government or international organi zations.  
 
Senior -level experience in multilateral trade negotiations, in particular  in the area of services and 
investment . 
 
Leadership and management experience, including the ability to manage effectively the work of a 
multi-cultural team of professional and support staff . 
 
Languages:  
 
Excellent kn owledge of English, including the  ability to write accurately and quickly; working 
knowledge of French and/or Spanish would be an advantage.  
 
Additional Information:  
 
Only applications from nationals of WTO Members will be accepted.  
 
The WTO may use various communication technologies such as v ideo 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.  
_____________________________________________________ _________________  
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://erecruitment.wto.org . 
The system provides i nstructions 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.  
 
PLEAS E NOTE THAT APPLICATIONS RECEIVED AFTER THE  
CLOSING DATE WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED  
 
The WTO is a non -smoking environment.