OFFICE(16)/44 
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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. 
______________________________________________________________________ 
 
Vacancy Notice No.:  EXT/F/16-31 Issued on:  27 April 2016 
 
Title:  Director Application Deadline (CET):  8 June 2016 
 
Grade:  11 
 Division:  Legal Affairs 
(39) 
Contract Type:  Fixed-term 
 
Starting Salary:  CHF 189,737 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 th e position of Director in the Legal Affairs 
Division. 
 
General Functions  
 
Reporting to a Deputy Director-General (DDG), th e incumbent will lead the Legal Affairs Division, 
which is primarily responsible for assisting dispute settlement panels and arbitrators in resolving trade disputes between WTO Members. The Division is also responsible for providing legal advice 
on WTO agreements and other issues of international law and the law of international institutions 
as they may arise to the Director-General (DG) and the WTO Secretariat, to the Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) and other WTO bodies and, as appropriate, to WTO Members. The Division 
also serves as Secretary to the DSB in Special Session, prepares reference material on WTO law, 
and carries out technical assistance and outreach activities. 
 
Specific responsibilities of the incumbent will include: 
 
1. Provide legal advice to the DG, WTO Divi sions, the DSB and other bodies, and, as 
appropriate, WTO Members.   
 
2. Oversee the work of the Division generally. Pl an and organize the work of the Division by 
assigning dispute settelement lawyers and others (e.g. paralegals, Dispute Settlement (DS) 
Registrar, Legal Editor, secretaries) to: (i) assist and support dispute settlement panels and 
arbitrators,  the DSB in Special Session, and, as appropriate committees and negotiating groups; (ii) prepare legal opinions for and in support of the DG, DDGs, WTO Divisions, the Dispute 
Settlement Body (DSB) and other bodies as appropriate; (iii) assist the DG in carrying out his/her 
depository functions with respect to instruments negotiated by Members; (iv) carry out functions of the Dispute Settlement Registry, the Digita l Dispute Settlement Registry,  and the WTO 
Depository Assistant; (v) design programs for and carry out technical assistance; (vi)  prepare and 
update reference materials on WTO law and practice; and (vii) carry out outreach activities. OFFICE(16)/44 
 
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3. Lead the Division and motivate the staff, providing legal and other guidance to staff in 
carrying out their duties, setting objectives requir ed, reviewing output (e.g. legal and other work) 
and performance of the staff, supporting the develo pment of the knowledge and skills of staff, and 
ensuring appropriate staff training plans are in place and executed. 
 
4. Build relationships with adjudicators an d the Members in order to serve the WTO as 
appropriate, be it in dispute settlement, committee work, negotiations, or otherwise, while 
maintaining neutrality and observing the rules of conduct. 
 5. Oversee the participation of the Division in the organization's extensive technical assistance 
and training programmes, with a particular focus on WTO dispute settlement; such oversight 
extends to the preparation of teaching and training materials to this end, including for e-training, 
and to the preparation of reference materials on WTO law and practice.  
6. Collaborate with other legal division Director s as appropriate to ensure that high quality 
legal advice and support are provided to the DG and WTO divisions, panels and arbitrators, WTO Members, WTO bodies, committees and negotiating groups, and to ensure that effective dispute 
settlement is provided to Members. 
 7. Assist the WTO Membership in drafting and giving legal effect to instruments and 
agreements they may negotiate and conclude within the legal framework of the WTO. 
 
8. Represent the DG and the WTO Secretariat in various public and academic functions in Geneva and abroad that address WTO dispute settl ement matters and legal issues of relevance to 
the WTO. 
 9. Undertake other tasks that may be assigned by the DG, including sitting on Secretariat 
committees and bodies. 
  REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS 
 
Education:  
Advanced university degree in law, including studies in public international law and international 
trade law. Should be licensed or be eligible to be licensed to practice law in at least one municipal jurisdiction. 
 
Knowledge and Skills:  The Director of Legal Affairs Division must have the skills to guide, empower and motivate a team 
of approximately 40 staff members to excel in thei r jobs. He/she must be able to build a team 
culture that consistently delivers high-quality results.  
The successful candidate must demonstrate an expert level of knowledge in international trade 
law, public international law, and international dispute settlement mechanisms. He/she must have an excellent knowledge of economic and legal issues relating to the WTO. He/she must also 
possess an expert level of drafting skills in Engl ish. Knowledge of and practical experience with 
other dispute resolution mechanisms, at the national or international level, would be an asset.  Significant management and organizational skills (planning and organizing work, managing people 
and performance, managing resources) are essential  
 Proven ability to interact and work with others in a diverse international setting in a harmonious 
and effective way is a must.   
 The successful candidate must have good presentation and communication skills as well as a high 
level of political awareness and sensitivity. 
 High ethical standards and the ability to ensure  adherence by others to established rules of 
conduct are also required. 
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  Work Experience: 
 
At least fifteen years as a legal practitioner in either the public or private sectors, including 
considerable practical experience in trade law and trade litigation. Extensive management experience with broad supervisory responsibiliti es in a legal environment is required, as is 
extensive practical experience with dispute settlement mechanisms. 
 Languages: 
 
Fluent knowledge of English is essential, including a demonstrated ability to write accurately, concisely and quickly, and to review and edit effectively the work of other lawyers.  A good knowledge of French and/or Spanish would also be an important asset. 
 
Additional Information:  
Only applications from nationals of WTO Members will be accepted. 
 The WTO may use various communication technologies such as video or teleconference for the 
assessment and evaluation of candidates. The re cruitment process may also involve the use of 
various forms of testing, assessment cent res, interviews and reference checks. 
______________________________________________________________________ 
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 online 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. 
 
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.