OFFICE (19)/2 
19-0237 
 
 
 
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/19-2 Issued on:  17 January 2019  
 
Title:  Secretary  Application Deadline (CET ): 14 February  2019 
 
Grade:  5 
 Division:  Trade Policies Review Division  
(347) 
Contract Type:  Fixed -term 
 
Starting Salary:  CHF 70,666 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 a position of Secretary  in the Trade Policies 
Review  Division .  
 
General Functions  
 
Under the general supervision of the Chief of the Trade Monitoring Section , the incumbent will 
undertake the following functions:  
 
1. Provide administrative support to the work of the Trade M onitoring Section , more specifically 
the series of trade monitoring reports , including maintaining a clear overview of the timelines and 
procedures for producing trade monitoring reports, and coordinating the Section's contacts with 
delegations in the context of the D irector -General 's request for information and subsequent 
verification of measures . 
 
2. Be responsible for formatting and finalizing the trade monitoring reports .  
 
3. Assist in searching for relevant trade -related measures related to the work of the Section . 
 
4. Reach out to in -house contributors to the reports to ensure compliance with various 
administrative matters . 
 
5. Coordinate and organize all aspects with respect  to the servicing  of official  meetings.  
 
6. Take on secretarial tasks related to reports produced by the Division as designated by the 
Director.  
 
 
OFFICE( 19)/2 
 
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  REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS  
 
Education:  
 
Completed secondary school and/or equivalent technical or commercial sch ool. 
 
Knowledge and Skills:  
 
Technical knowledge and Skills  
 
Excellent secretarial skills.  
Ability to pay attention to detail, proofread, often voluminous, documents with the highest level of 
accuracy.  
Very good knowledge of MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint.  
Familiarity with  administrative procedures  in international organizations would be considered an 
asset . 
 
Behavioural Skills:  
 
The following interpersonal capabilities are required: ability to communicate effectively; ability to 
build and maintain relationships with colleagues and work as a member of a team, while working 
independently to achieve his/her objectives; ability to multi -task, including demonstrated ability to 
prioritize, work under pressure, and meet deadlines; and ability to exercise tact and discretion.  
 
Work Experience:  
 
At least five years of administrative and secretarial experience, preferably in international 
organizations.  
 
Languages:  
 
Excellent knowledge of Engli sh, both spoken and in writing , including the ability to draft 
correspondence and documentation  (at a level corresponding or equivalent to a minimum of C1 
according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) ). A good 
knowledge of ei ther French or Spanish would be considered an advantage.  
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 
langu age 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 selection 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( 19)/2 
 
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  ______________________________________________________________________  
APPLICANTS MAY BE REQUIRED TO SIT A WRITTEN EXAMI NATION  
______________________________________________________________________  
APPLICANTS WILL BE CONTACTED DIRECTLY IF SELECTED FOR AN INTERVIEW  
______________________________________________________________________  
Please note that all candidates must com plete 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 B E ACCEPTED  
 
The WTO is a non -smoking environment.