OFFICE( 17)/109 
17-6689 
 
 
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.  
______________________________________________________________________  
 
Vacancy Notice No.:  EXT/F/17 -75  Issued on:   5 December  2017  
 
Title:  Head of Financial Operations  Application Deadline (CET):  5 January  2018 
 
Grade:  8   
 Division:  Administ ration & General Services  
(291)  
Contract Type:  Fixed -term 
 
Starting Salary:  CHF 112,969  net per 
annum (approximate)  
 Duration:  Two years with the possibility of 
extension  
Other 
Conditions:  In accordance with WTO Staff Regulations and Staff Rules and WT O 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 compensation 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 t o fill a position of Head of Financial Operations  in 
the Administration & General Services Division.  
 
 
General Functions  
 
Reporting to the Director of the Administration and General Services Division, and wi thin delegated 
authority, the Head of Financial O perations ensures that the financial operations and relevant 
systems are fit for purpose and that all financial transactions comply with the  WTO Financial 
Regulations and Financial R ules. He/she manages a team of 8 Finance Specialists. His/her 
responsibili ties include the following:  
1. Manage the team of s taff and organize the work  in the Finance Section; motivate, supervise, 
and coach the staff to maximize their  performance.  
 
2. Take charge of preparing financial statements of the WTO as well as financial  reports for 
senior management.  
 
3. Analyze, r eview  and approve  financial transactions  including official travel, payables and 
receivables, fixed assets, inventories and Trust Funds and ensures  that they are properly recorded 
in the financial system.  
 
4. Ensure the accurate and complete functioning of accounting, reporting and internal control 
systems , the accuracy of monthly and ad -hoc financial account and bank reconciliations,  as well as 
the maintenance of  all relevant records.  
5. Under the guidance of t he Director, AGSD, l ead business process reviews, finance -related IT 
system projects and other projects related to enhancing financial and accounting operations.  OFFICE(1 7)/109 
 
- 2 - 
 
 
   
6.   Contribute to the revision of financial and accounting  regulations, rules and  policies.  
 
7.   Act as l iaison person for internal and external auditors on financ e related  matters and 
follow up on  audit findings, observations and recommendations.   
 
8.  Liaise with the Head of Budget and Planning to prepar e interim and year-end financial 
perfor mance report s which are presented to the Committee on Budget, Finance and 
Administration . 
 
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS  
 
Education:  
 
Master 's degree in Accounting or a basic university degree combined with chartered  membership in 
accounting (e.g. ACCA, CPA, CIM A or equivalent qualifications)  is required . A specific d iploma in 
International Public sector Accounting Standard s (IPSAS)  from a recognized body (CIPFA, ACCA, 
ICAEW or equivalent) would be  an advantage . 
 
Knowledge and Skills:  
 
The jobholder must possess the following specific skills:  
 
Advanced accounting/financial management skills to produce or maintain complex management or 
accounting reports;  proven knowledge and track records in International Public Sector Accounting 
Standards (IPSAS);  people and perf ormance  management  skills.  
Familiarity with the Finance module in ERP software  (e.g. ORACLE, SAP);  experience with Oracle 
EBS will be considered an advantage.  
 
Advanced computing and office applications especially spread sheet and word processing 
applicati ons; advanced analytical skills to produce accurate and clear financial reporting;  
communication skills to transmit financial information to a broad audience that can include senior 
management and external stakeholders;  project management skills.  
 
Confiden tiality skills to ensure that information is accessible only to those authorized to have 
access.  
 
The following interpersonal capabilities are required: ability to relate to and build relationships with 
colleagues; ability to communicate complex abstract i deas to an audience of informed people and 
understand ideas when communicated by others; ability to persuade others to a point of view 
using facts; ability to present technical facts to knowledgeable specialised audiences; ability to 
work in a team where s upporting and gaining the support of others is important to achieving 
her/his objectives; and the ability to supervise a group of people in their day -to-day work.  
  
Work Experience:  
 
At least five years  of progressive work experience in relevant functions , of which at least three 
years  including people  management . Experience  working  in international or public sector 
organizations is desirable.  
 
Languages:  
 
Excellent knowledge of  English or French and good knowledge of the other language is required . In 
any case the ability to draft clearly and concisely in English  is essential .  
 
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 national s of WTO Members will be accepted.  
 OFFICE(1 7)/109 
 
- 3 - 
 
 
  The WTO may use various communication technologies such as video 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.  
 
Candidates not selected whose performance in the selection process 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  
______________________________________________________________________  
APPLIC ANTS WILL BE CONTACTED DIRECTLY IF SELECTED FOR AN INTERVIEW  
______________________________________________________________________  
Please note that all candidates must complete an online application form.  
To apply, please visit the WTO's E -Recruitment web site at: https://erecruitment.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.