OFFICE( 18)/106 
18-7986 
 
 
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/18-74 Issued on:   18 December 2018      
 
Title:  Procurement Officer  Application Deadline (CET):  14 January 2018       
 
Grade:  7 
 Division:  Administration and General Services 
Division  
(284)  Contract Type:   Fixed -Term 
 
Starting Salary:  CHF 88,890  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 compensation package is provided on the 
WTO website:  
https://www.wto.org/english/thewto_e/vacan_e/compensation_e.htm . 
 
 
The Secretariat of the WTO is seeking to fill the position of Procurement Officer in  the  
Procurement S ection of  the Administr ation and General Services Division . 
 
INTERESTED APPLICANTS MUST ADD A COVER LETTER WHEN APPLYING FOR THIS 
VACANCY THROUGH THE WTO E -RECRUITMENT SYSTEM. APPLICATIONS WITHOUT A 
COVER LETTER WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.   
 
 
General Functions  
 
Reporting to the Chief of the Procurement Section and working closely with other members of the 
Procurement Section and on the basis of  the WTO Financial Regulation s and Rules, the Procurement 
Policy, and the Manual of procurement procedures and other rules applicable to WTO procurement, 
the incumbent will, within limits of delegated procurement, undertake the following responsibilities:  
 
1. Plan, develop and manage the various procurement and contractual aspects of significant 
complexity in the worldwide procurement of diverse services and commodities (e.g  Audio -Visual  
Services, Building (Works & Maintenance),  Conference Services, Insuran ce Services, IT Equipment 
Products and Services and Consultancy Services;  Medical Services, Reproduction & Printing 
Services , Security Services, Training , etc.;) taking into account local economic and other conditions;  
 
2. Advise the Requesting Units and the recipient entities on the full range of procurement issues, 
providing support and guidance at all stages of the procurement process including procurement 
planning, definition of the procurement strategy, vendor performance management, contract 
manageme nt, and meeting objectives under tight deadlines;  
 
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  3. Prepare/oversee preparation and distribution of invitations to tender and manage/conduct all 
aspects of bid/proposal evaluation: identify method of solicitation, draft tendering documents, 
identify sour cing strategy, distribute tenders and manage all phases of the solicitation process, 
support the bids/proposals evaluations , assisting the evaluation panel while ensuring the solicitation 
process is fair, objective and transparent and that it follows the r elevant general principles, as set 
forth in WTO Financial Regulations and Rules and the Procurement Policy;  
 
4. Formulate strategies and design innovative solutions to resolve issues/conflicts for complex 
procurement projects; establish and maintain work p rogram and schedule for ongoing and new 
contracts;  
 
5. Conduct market research to keep abreast of market development in order to propose a large 
panel of potential suppliers to the requesting offices;  
 
6. Participate in and conduct site visits, bidder’s conferences; actively participate in contract 
negotiations for both financial and contractual terms; participate in meetings with supplier's 
representatives to coordinate the review of the performance evalua tion, assist the internal clients 
with the preparation of the relevant documentation;  
 
7. Process Purchase Orders using WTO ERP system; sign procurement orders up to the 
authorized limits, and in cases where the amount exceeds authorized limits prepare sub missions to 
the Contracts Committee for subsequent approval;  
 
8. Ensure adequate and reliable contract management including  drafting contracts, signature 
within delegated authority, monitor ing adherence to contractual agreements, recommend ing 
amendments and extensions of contracts, and advis ing concerned parties on their contractual rights 
and obligations;  
 
9. Supervise junior staff on request and as necessary , reviewing the daily work and providing 
guidance on the most complex procurement act ivities;  
 
10. Prepare a variety of procurement related documents, contracts, communications, guidelines 
and instructions;  
 
11. Perform other related duties as required.  
 
 
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS  
 
Education:  
 
A Master 's degree in disciplines related to Publ ic Procurement. A recognized completed professional 
training and/or certification in the area of procurement (CIPS 3 or equivalent)  is required . 
 
Knowledge and Skills:  
 
Technical Knowledge and Skills:  
 
Demonstrated knowledge of internationally recognized p rocurement standards and of all phases on 
international procurement techniques and operations used in contracting for a diverse range of goods 
and services . 
Knowledge of contract law and expertise in handling complex contract issues; experience in 
procurem ent dealing with complex contractual issues including performance management through 
Key Performance Indicators ; experience in public sector procurement.  
 
Excellent drafting skills in English and French including demonstrated ability to revise, draft compl ex 
documents in the two languages , formulate options and propose recommendations . 
Working knowledge of the Public Procurement cycle.  
Working knowledge of Project Management cycle.  
Confident user of the In -tend e -tendering system or an alternative e-tendering system.  
Confident user of Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) and the internet.  OFFICE( 18)/106 
 
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  Knowledge and good understanding of Financial Rules and Regulations  of International 
Organizations , in particular the Regulations focus ing on the administration of procurement 
procedures.   
Ability to provide technical guidance to new/junior staff.  
Negotiation skills.  
 
Behavioural Skills:  
 
Customer orientation  skills. 
Problem solving skills.  
Planning and o rganizational skills, including a bility to  prioritize , identify risks and allow for 
contingencies .  
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills . 
Ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and working relations in a multi -cultural, 
multi-ethnic environment with sensitivit y and respect for diversit y. 
A solid team player including ability to w ork collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational 
goals; to solicit input by genuinely valuing others' ideas and expertis e; to demonstrate the will to 
learn from others; to place team agenda before personal agenda; to support and act in accordance 
with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position.  
Confidentiality skills to ensure that information is accessible only to those authorised t o have access.  
 
Work Experience:  
 
A minimum of three years of progressively responsible experience in public  sector  procurement, 
contract management, administration or related area including two years of practical, relevant 
experience  in a public procurement function , in an international organization and /or government.  
Experience with large scale and complex procurement operation is desirable. Proven experience in 
at least three of the following procurem ent area is desirable: i.  General Goods (se curity equipment, 
conference equipment, printing equipment ), ii. General Services (insurance, consultancy, utilities), 
iii. iInformation & Technology ( IT equipment & software, web services), iv. Building (construction, 
maintenance), and v. market research and supplier management  (UNGM, business seminar).  
Experience working with ERP system in the area of purchasing.  
Experience working with an e -tendering system.  
 
Languages:  
 
Excellent command of English  and French , both oral and written , is required  (at a level corresponding 
or equivalent to a minimum of C1 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for 
Languages (CEFR) ). Shortlisted candidates will be asked to provide proof of their language skills 
under a recognized framework  (e.g. CEFR, IELTS, etc.)  unless the language in question is their 
mother tongue. The language skills of shortlisted candidates who are unable to provide proof of their 
language proficiency will be assessed as part of the selection process.  
 
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.  
 
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 selecti on 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.  OFFICE( 18)/106 
 
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  ________________________________________________ ______________________  
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 well before the closing date – Central European Time (CET) –  
stated in the vacancy announcement.  
 
PLEASE NOTE THAT APPLICATIONS RECEIVED A FTER THE  
CLOSING DATE WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED  
 
The WTO is a non -smoking environment.