OFFICE(1 7)/25 
17-1437 
 
 
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 div ersity.  
______________________________________________________________________  
 
Vacancy Notice No.:  EXT/F/17-16 Issued on:  13 March 2017   
 
Title:  Systems and Operations Engineer  Application Deadline (CET):  10 April 2017 
 
Grade:  7   
 Division:  Information  Technology Solutions  
(409) 
Contract Type:  Fixed -term 
 
Starting Salary:  CHF 89,518  net per annum  
(approximate)  Duration:  Two years with the possibility of 
extension  subject to satisfactory performance 
and continued need of the position  
 
Other 
Condition s: 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 a nd 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 g rant, 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 to fill a pos ition of Systems and Operations 
Engineer in the  Systems and Operations Section of the Information Technology  
Soluti ons Divis ion. 
 
 
General Functions  
 
WTO's data centre is located on its premises and consists of 60 physical servers and around 100 
virtual se rvers. Enterprise storage solutions are based on NAS and DAS. The Systems and 
Operations Section is responsible for support and operations of this environment and is handling 
all 2nd level support with occasional evening and weekend work within agreed main tenance 
windows. The Section is responsible for 800 desktop and 300 virtual desktop related tasks of 
imaging, application packaging and deployment including update of these client environments.  
 
Reporting to the Chief, Systems and Operation Section, the Sy stems and Operations Engineer will 
undertake the following responsibilities:  
 
1. Service owner of the two critical infrastructure services: Server Virtualisation, Server 
Operating Systems (Microsoft Windows and Linux Redhat).  
 
2. Coordinate implementations  of services; guarantee availability and capacity; create 
documentation and standard operating procedures for this service(s) including disaster recovery 
procedures. The incumbent should also serve as backup service owner of other infrastructure 
services ( e.g. Data Centre server hardware, Enterprise Storage solution, Enterprise Backup 
solution, VDI).  
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  3. Assist in the day -to-day operations of the infrastructure involving monitoring, pro -active 
maintenance, problem   solving, providing 2nd level support by r esponding to incident and change 
requests, coordinating 3rd level support within existing support contracts as well as assisting in the 
optimisation of existing services. The incumbent, after a short integration period will be required to 
work independentl y and assume the assigned responsibilities. This will require regular interaction 
with IT Service Desk and other sections within the ITSD.  
 
4. Assist the other System and Operation Engineers and Project Managers within the Section 
on specific tasks assigne d related to Infrastructure projects.   
 
5. Assist in the execution of security response actions. This occasionally requires work outside 
office hours.   
 
6. Perform any other task within the Section to contribute to the work plan of the Section.  
 
 
REQUIRE D QUALIFICATIONS  
 
Education:  
 
An advanced  university degree with specialization in IT Systems and Operations or basic university 
degree in Computer Science, Mathematics, Engineering or related field combined with work 
experience equivalent to an advanced u niversity degree.  
 
Knowledge and Skills:  
 
Excellent knowledge and experience  at the level of an enterprise environment of similar size as 
described under General Functions, ideally with a recognised certification on : 
- VmWare vShpere 5 and 6, ideally on a hyperconverged solution.  
 
At least basic knowledge in two of the following areas at the level of an enterprise environment of 
similar size as described under General Functions, ideally with a recognised certification in the 
following:  
- Microsoft Active D irectory: DNS, DHCP, domain management, OU and GPO management, 
security permissions management.  
- Server OS: Microsoft Windows Server (all versions from 2008 – 2012R2) and Linux Redhat.  
- Server hardware management (Intel based servers) and server operatio nal management 
solutions.  
 
Good working knowledge of the following:  
- LAN/WAN and Internet technologies  as well as TCP/IP protocol  
- Windows7 and Windows10  
- ITIL processes especially Incident, Change and Problem Management  
 
Working knowledge of the follow ing will be considered an advantage:  
- Citrix XenDesktop  
- NAGIOS server operational management  
- Linux Redhat in Enterprise environments  
 
The incumbent must have the a bility to prioritize and execute tasks in a demanding situation and 
make sound decisions . He/she must be capable of  working under stress and in an autono mous  
manner .   
 
The following interpersonal capabilities are required: ability to present technical facts to 
knowledgeable specialised audiences; to persuade others to a point of view using f act; to establish 
and maintain good working  relationships with colleagues; to communicate information in a clear 
way; to make technical presentations ; to work as a member of a team  while   working 
independently to achieve his/her objectives.   OFFICE(1 7)/25 
 
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Work Experi ence:  
 
At least three  years ' experience  pertinent to the functions  and the size  of Operations described in 
"Knowledge and Skills".  
 
Languages:  
 
Excellent  knowledge of English, including an ability to write accurately and concisely 
(documentation, procedure s, processes) and make presentations  if requested .  A good k nowledge 
of French  will be considered as an advantage.  
 
Additional Information:  
 
The position may be offered at a lower grade if the selected candidate does not fully meet all the 
required qualifi cations.  
 
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 recruitment process may also involve the us e 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 18 month s, and may 
subsequently be called upon as and when the need arises for additional resources.  
______________________________________________________________________  
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 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 wel l 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.