OFFICE(13)/34 
13-4383 
 
 
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/13-19 Issued on:   15 August 2013 
 
Title:   Administrative Assistant Application Deadline (CET):   12 September 
2013 
 
Grade:   6 
 Division:   Trade Policies Review 
Contract Type:   Fixed-term 
 
Starting Salary:   CHF 78,730 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 Administrative Assistant in the 
Trade Policies Review Division.  Serving staf f members interested in the position are 
also invited to apply. 
 
 General Functions  
 
Under the supervision of the Director, the incumbent will have primary responsibility for providing 
administrative assistance to the Division. Key responsibilities will include:  
1. Develop and implement office procedures to ensure the efficient and effective running of the 
Division, address administrative challenges, ensu re WTO administrative procedures are correctly 
applied in the division and adapt procedur es to meet changing needs as required. 
 
2. Ensure the provision of overall office manage ment and administrative/secretarial assistance 
to the Director of the division and carry out other administrative duties as may be assigned by Director. 
 
3. Provide administrative support to divisional staff (e.g., travel, leave, and other administrative activities). 
 
4. Provide administrative support to bodies or ac tivities relating to the work of the division. 
This may include organizing meetings and conferences; drafting correspondence; responding to 
queries from delegates, Ministries or other orga nizations; and formatting, editing and proofreading 
documentation.  OFFICE(13)/34 
 
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5. Coordinate and supervise the work of secret aries, train and coach them; contribute to or 
undertake the evaluation of their performance. Participate in the recruitment of these staff. 
 
6. Maintain staff records and deal with basic personnel issues in consultation with managers and HR specialists. 
 
7. Administer and monitor the allocated divisi onal budget, support the Director in budget 
planning and administration, and track and report on financial commitments. 
 
8. Maintain skills up-to-date and remain abreast of new office procedures and software.   
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS 
 Education: 
 
Completed secondary education, supplemented by secretarial training.    
Knowledge and Skills: 
 Advanced secretarial qualifications including word processing skills, proficiency in MS suite of applications (or equivalent) at advanced level. 
 
Understanding of and expertise in administrative procedures, including staff rules and regulations;  familiarity with the working procedures and the substantive work of the division would be an 
advantage. 
 Experience of office management as well as good organizational skills. 
 
Excellent multi-tasking and communication skills as well as the ability to work effectively in a multicultural environment.   
Ability to work under pressure and under strict deadlines as well as apply tact and discretion. 
 Work Experience: 
 
Minimum 8 years' relevant experience, preferably in an international organization or a government ministry environment. 
 
Languages:  Excellent command of at least one WTO language (English, French or Spanish) and good working 
knowledge of one of the other two. Skills in the third language would be an asset. 
 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. 
_____________________________________________________________________ 
APPLICANTS MAY 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. OFFICE(13)/34 
 
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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. 
 
Offline applications should be sent to: 
 
Director, Human Resources Division 
WTO Centre William Rappard 154, rue de Lausanne 
CH-1211 Geneva 21 
Switzerland 
 
PLEASE NOTE THAT APPLICATIONS RECEIVED AFTER THE 
CLOSING DATE WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED 
 
The WTO is a non-smoking environment.