OFFICE(15)/40 
15-2363 
 
 
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/15-19 Issued on:  1 May 2015 
 
Title:  Dispute Settlement Lawyer Application Deadline (CET):  1 June 2015 
 
Grade:  7 
 Division:  Appellate Body Secretariat  
Contract Type:  Fixed-term 
 Starting Salary:  CHF 90,429 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 
often 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. Under the supervision of senior lawyers, deliv er substantive legal advice and assistance to 
Appellate Body Members.  
2. Under the supervision of senior lawyers, conduct research on complex substantive legal and 
technical as well as procedural issues arising in the context of appellate proceedings and arbitrations. Prepare written analyses of these and related issues as required.   
3. Report, upon request and as appropriate, to  Appellate Body Members, and the Director of 
the Appellate Body Secretariat, on the activities of relevant WTO bodies (especially the Dispute Settlement Body) including through the preparation of analysis and papers for internal meetings. 
 
4. Deliver technical assistance and training on the substance and implementation of WTO agreements and dispute settlement practices and procedures; make presentations in academic 
conferences and other settings. Contribute to the development of training materials, internal 
research materials, and WTO publications.   OFFICE(15)/40 
 
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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:  Knowledge of international trade law, the WTO agreements, and WTO jurisprudence. Familiarity 
with international legal and economic principles and issues, and with adjudicative processes and 
practice, in particular those of the WTO, is desirable.   
Excellent research, drafting and analytical skills an d the ability to pay close attention to detail. The 
ability to present thoughts in a logical, succinct, and coherent manner, both orally and in written form. The ability to familiarize oneself quickly an d work with voluminous documentary records, and 
to extract therefrom and analyse information that is often of technical, complex, and/or economic 
nature; and the ability to produce legal research and contribute to a coherent team product under high time pressure.  
Ability to work independently as well as cooperate with others in a diverse international setting as 
a member of a team that works under severe time pressure and resource constraints and must produce a coherent group product; to persuade others through sound argumentation and advice 
while remaining flexible and open to different po ints of view and evolving approaches; to meet 
strict deadlines within a dynamic work environment; to develop and maintain collegial, respectful and professional relationships with colleagues and adjudicators and, as appropriate, with others 
both inside and outside the WTO, including representatives of Members.   
 Highly developed tact and discretion and the ability to adhere rigorously to set rules of conduct ensuring confidentiality, impartiality and an absence of conflicts of interest.  
 
Work Experience:  
At least three 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 with international or national judicial or adjudicative bodies would be an 
asset.  
 Languages:  
Excellent English, including a demonstrated ability to write accurately, concisely, clearly and within 
tight deadlines. Knowledge of French and/or Spanish is desirable.   
Additional Information: 
 Unsuccessful candidates whose performance in the selection process nevertheless shows them to 
be suitable for a Dispute Settlement Lawyer position may be kept on a roster for up to 18 months, 
and may subsequently be called upon as and wh en the need arises for additional dispute 
settlement lawyers.   
Only applications from nationals of WTO Members will be accepted. 
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_____________________________________________________________________ 
APPLICANTS WILL BE REQUIRED TO SIT A WRITTEN EXAMINATION 
____________________________________________________________________ 
APPLICANTS WILL BE CONTACTED DIRECTLY IF SELECTED FOR AN INTERVIEW 
_____________________________________________________________________ 
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 
 
The WTO is a non-smoking environment.