OFFICE( 16)/86 
16-5089 
 
 
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 div ersity.  
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Vacancy Notice No.:   EXT/F/16 -63 Issued on:   26 September 2016  
 
Title:   Press  Officer  Application Deadline (CET):  24 October  2016 
 
Grade:   8 
 Division:   Information and Exter nal Relations  
(10) 
Contract Type:   Fixed -term 
 
Starting Salary:   CHF 112,441 net per annum  
 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 of Press  Officer in the 
Information and External Relations Division .   
 
 
General Functions  
 
Reporting to the Head of Press Section , the incumbent will undertake the following functions:  
 
1. Develop and disseminate communications material ( press releases, social media bulletins, 
speeches, background notes for journalists, internal diss emination of press reports, website 
stories, etc. ) on WTO activities in two official languages to journalists, Parliamentarians, civil 
society, the media and other target groups.  
 
2. Principle point of contact for Spanish speaking media. Must establish str ong network of 
journalist contacts in the Spanish speaking world.  
 
3. Monitor media coverage of issues in specific areas of WTO work. Cover closely the work of a 
number of  WTO Councils and Committees and provide media/NGOs with timely, accurate and 
balanc ed press briefings on topics arising from those WTO bodies. Responsible for handling 
complex and politically sensitive WTO issues. Participate in WTO -organized journalist seminars.  
 
4. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with journalists  and provide training 
for them on WTO and trade -related issues . 
 
5. Contribute to the preparation of Ministerial Conferences.  
 
6. Give presentations to the public groups visiting the WTO.  
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7. Maintain and develop his/her knowledge of WTO issues and keep up  to date with 
developments involving civil society and Parliamentarians.  
 
 
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS  
 
Education:  
 
Advanced university degree level in journalism , public relations  or another relevant  field, or a 
university degree with proven professional expe rtise equivalent to an advanced university degree.  
 
Knowledge and Skills:  
 
The applicant must possess excellent knowledge of WTO, trade and macroeconomic issues. The 
applicant must also be a strong communicator with excellent speaking, writing and journal istic 
skills. The applicant must be well versed in the use of relevant communications tools, including 
social media, websites and audio/visual. The applicant must have the capacity to speak with clarity 
and authority.  
The applicant must have the following  interpersonal capabilities: to initiate and build relationships 
with a variety of people both inside and outside the organization; to communicate complex 
abstract ideas to an audience of informed people and understand ideas when communicated by 
others; to  persuade others to a particular point of view which may challenge others' values and 
beliefs; to make presentations on a variety of subjects to a wide variety of audiences; to cope with 
and resolve conflicts through interpreting provided guidelines on how  to resolve them; and to work 
in a team where supporting and gaining the support of others is important to achieving his/her 
objectives.  
 
Work Experience:  
 
Minimum five years' experience in journalism, public relations or as a press officer in a government  
or another international organization.  
 
Languages:  
 
Excellent speaking and writing skills in Spanish and English are essential . Knowledge of French 
and/or other languages spoken by WTO Member countries is an advantage .  
 
Additional Information:  
 
The posit ion 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 telec onference 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 proces s 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 o nline 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.  OFFICE( 16)/86 
 
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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  
CLOSI NG DATE WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED  
 
The WTO is a non -smoking environment.