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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/13-03 Issued on:   13 March 2013 
 
Title:   Dispute Settlement Lawyer Application Deadline (CET):   10 April 2013 
 
Grade:   8 
 Division:   Appellate Body Secretariat 
 
Contract Type:   Fixed-term 
 Starting Salary:   CHF 113,585 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 the position of Dispute Settlement Lawyer in 
the Appellate Body Secretariat.  Serving st aff members interested in the position are 
also invited to apply.  
 
General Functions  
 1. Deliver substantive technical and legal advice  and assistance to Appellate Body Members, 
initially under the supervision of more senior lawyers, and may from time to time supervise others 
in less complex disputes.  
2. Conduct or direct research on complex substantive technical and legal issues arising in the 
context of appellate proceedings and arbitrations on the reasonable period of time for implementation.  Prepare or guide the preparation of written analyses of these and related issues 
as required.  
 3. Provide information, upon request and as a ppropriate, to Appellate Body Members and the 
Director of the Appellate Body Secretariat, on the activities of WTO bodies, in particular, the 
Dispute Settlement Body. 
 4. Deliver technical assistance and training on the substance and implementation of WTO 
agreements and dispute settlement practices and pr ocedures and make presentations in academic 
conferences and other settings. Contribute to th e development of training material, internal 
research materials, and the WTO Appellate Body Repertory of Reports and Awards.  
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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. The ability to work independently as well as cooperate with others in a diverse international 
setting. The ability to persuade others through sound argumentation and advice while remaining flexible and open to different points of view an d evolving approaches. The ability to meet strict 
deadlines within a dynamic work environment. The ability to supervise others under tight 
deadlines, manage aspects of the dispute settlement process including time management as well as prioritization of tasks, and to revise drafts to  reflect various views in a coherent manner. Highly 
developed tact and discretion and the ability to adhere rigorously to, and to ensure the adherence 
of team members to, set rules of conduct ensuring confidentiality, impartiality and an absence of conflicts of interest.  
Work Experience: 
 A minimum of five 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 or quasi-judicial agencies would be an asset. Experience in supervising others or leading teams would be an advantage.  
 
Languages:  Excellent English, including a demonstrated ability to write accurately, concisely, clearly and within 
tight deadlines. Good knowledge of French and/or Spanish is highly 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.