OFFICE( 16)/82 
16-4844 
 
 
 
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.  
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Vacancy Notice No.:  EXT/F/16-60 Issued on:  16 September  2016 
 
Title:  Director  Application Deadline (CET):  31 October  2016 
 
Grade:  11 
 Division:  Agriculture and Commodities  
(64) 
Contract Type:  Fixed -term 
 
Starting Salary:  CHF 186,891  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 compensa tion 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 to fill the position of  Director in the Agriculture 
and Commodities Division . The successful candidate is expected to take up the position 
as of  1 April  2017.  
 
General Functions  
 
This is a senior post which carries a high level of responsibility in managerial, political and 
technica l terms. Reporting to a Deputy Director -General , the appointee will lead the Agriculture 
and Commodities  Division , which  handles all matters related to  the WTO Agreements on 
Agriculture and on Sanitary and Phytosanitary measures.  It services the relevant W TO committees 
as well as provid ing support to Members in the implementation of  WTO rules and commitments in 
these areas and contributing to dispute s ettlement processes.  It also manages the WTO's working 
relations with other international organizations and  stakeholders in its areas of competence.  The 
Division supports the ongoing WTO negotiations on agriculture  and provides advice as appropriate. 
The Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF) Secretariat is housed within the Agriculture 
and Commodities  Division.   
 
Specific responsibilities of the appointee will include:  
 
1. Lead and manage the overall work of the team in the Agriculture and Commodities  Division. 
Prioritize and plan the use of Divisional resources and budget to achieve the required Divis ional 
outputs and results. Provide guidance to staff in carrying out their work, setting out the 
performance objectives of the staff members and assess ing their performance .   
 
 
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2.      Oversee the work of the Division in respect of the implementation of  the relevant WTO 
Agreements; pr ovide advice and guidance to  Chairs and support to delegations as appropriate and 
in a effective manner.    
 
3.  Contribute to advancing negotiations  and facilitating agreement with appropriate analysis, 
advice and guidance.  Provide close direct support to the Chair of the agriculture negotiations.  
 
4.  Oversee the work of  the Division  in assisting the servicing of dispute settlement panels in 
areas of the Division's competence.  
 
5.     Maintain productive professional relatio nships with  WTO Members, understanding their 
particular interests and concerns and providing appropriate advice  and technical assistance .  
 
6. Oversee and contribute to the Division's technical cooperation and capacity -building 
activities with regard to al l matters under the Division's purview.   
 
7.    Co-ordinate the Division's work with that of other Divisions, including providing substantive 
contributions to their work  and to joint projects or task forces . 
 
8. Maintain the Division's relationships with other relevant international organizations , 
especially those mandated under ex isting agreements and decisions, and represent the WTO at 
high-level meetings.  More broadly, l ead the Division's outreach activities, maintaining a network of 
contacts with offic ials in g overnment, international organiz ations, research institutions, 
universities, NGOs and the private sector to enhance dialogue on issues of mutual interest in  
relevant areas.  
 
9. Represent the D irector -General  and the WTO Secretariat in various inte rgovernmental, 
public and academic events in Geneva and abroad that address matters related to agricultural 
trade and policy issues of relevance to the WTO.  
 
10.   Support the Director -General and  Senior Management by providing reports, briefings and 
other  information and advice as required.  
 
 
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS  
 
Education:  
 
An advanced university degree in international law, economics or other relevant field s. 
 
Knowledge and Skills : 
 
The Director  of the Agriculture and Commodities  Division  must have t he skills to lead  and motivate 
a team of around 30  staff members to excel in their jobs. He/she must be able to build and 
maintain a team culture that consistently delivers high -quality results.  
 
Demonstration of the Core Personal Skills applicable to all staff at the WTO Secretariat  (teamwork, 
communication,  problem -solving and decision -making, quality of results/delivery, anticipation and 
initiative,  flexibility/adaptability) is fundamental.  
 
The successful candidate must have a thorough understanding of the legal, economic and political 
issues relating  to trade in agriculture , the WTO legal framework and international and national 
trade -related  policy instruments.  He/she must have excellent analytical and drafting skills.  
 
He/she must have strong negotiat ing and diplomatic skills. A high level of political awareness and 
sensitivity is needed, together with the ability to communicate effectively inside and outside the 
WTO.  
 
Proven capacity to maintain relationship s and facilitate consensus both inside and o utside the 
WTO, including with representatives of WTO Members, is required.  
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  Work Experience:  
 
At least fifteen years’ experience in senior roles related to international trade and public policy 
areas in government or international organi zations.  
 
Senior -level experience in multilateral trade negotiations, preferably including agriculture.  
 
Leadership and management experience, including the ability to manage effectively the work of a 
multi-cultural team of professional and support staff . 
 
Languages:  
 
Excellent kn owledge of English, including the  ability to write accurately and quickly; working 
knowledge of French and/or Spanish would be an advantage.  
 
Additional Information:  
 
Only applications from nationals of WTO Members will be accepted.  
 
The WTO may us e 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.  
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APPLICANTS MAY BE REQUIRED TO SIT A WRITTEN EXAMINATION  
______________________________________________________________________  
APPLICANTS WILL BE CONTACTED DIRECTLY IF SELECTED FOR AN INTERVIE W 
______________________________________________________________________  
Please note that all candidates must complete an o nline 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.