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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/13-02 Issued on:  12 March 2013 
 
Title:  Dispute Settlement Lawyer Application Deadline (CET):  9 April 2013 
 
Grade:  7 
 Division:  Appellate Body Secretariat, Legal 
Affairs, Rules 
(45, 421, 9007, 9013) 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.  
 
 Due to the increasing number of cases in th e Legal Affairs Division, Rules Division and 
Appellate Body Secretariat, the Secretariat of the WTO is seeking to fill four positions of 
Dispute Settlement Lawyer in these Divisions. Serving staff members interested in the position are also invited to apply. 
 
 General Functions  
 
1. Under the supervision of more senior lawyers, deliver substantive technical and legal advice 
and assistance to Appellate Body Members/panelists.  
2. Under the supervision of more senior lawy ers, conduct research on complex substantive 
technical and legal issues arising in the context of appellate/panel proceedings and arbitrations. Prepare written analyses of these and related issues as required.  
 
3. Report, upon request and as appropriate, to Appellate Body Members or panelists, and to the Director of the relevant Division, on the acti vities of WTO bodies, in particular, the Dispute 
Settlement Body. 
 
4. In the Rules and Legal Affairs Divisions, the successful candidate may deliver substantive 
technical, policy, as well as legal advice and assistance to chairpersons of WTO bodies and 
negotiations groups, other WTO Divisions, the Di rector-General and WTO Members as appropriate, 
generally under the supervision of more senior colleagues.   OFFICE(13)/6 
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5. 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.    
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 be 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. 
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; to work independently as well as cooperate with others in a diverse international setting; to 
persuade others through sound argumentation and advice while remaining flexible and open to 
different points of view and evolving approaches; to meet strict deadlines within a dynamic work 
environment. Highly developed tact and discretion an d the ability to adhere rigorously to set rules 
of conduct ensuring confidentiality, impartiality and an absence of conflicts of interest. 
 
Work Experience:  
A minimum of three years of relevant practical experience in the area of international trade law, 
preferably with a mixture of private/public/academic sector work. Experience in national or international trade-related litigation and/or within judicial institutions, quasi-judicial agencies or 
trade remedies authorities of Members would be an asset. 
 Languages:  
Excellent English, including a demonstrated ability to write accurately, concisely, clearly and within 
tight deadlines. Good knowledge of French and/or Spanish is desirable.  
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. 
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. 
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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.