OFFICE(13)/38 
13-4672 
 
 
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/13-24 Issued on:   4 September 2013 
 
Title:   Dispute Settlement Registrar Application Deadline (CET):   2 October 
2013 
 
Grade:   6 
 Division:   Legal Affairs 
 
Contract Type:   Fixed-term 
 
Starting Salary:   CHF 78,730 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 a position of Dispute Settlement Registrar in 
the Legal Affairs Division.  Serving staff me mbers interested in the position are also 
invited to apply. 
 
 General Functions  
 
Under the supervision of the Director of the Di vision, the incumbent will undertake the following 
duties:  
1. Responsible for maintaining the WTO Dispute Settlement Registry and processing dispute 
settlement case information (excluding matters dealt with by the Appellate Body Secretariat), both in physical files and through electronic case management software (Digital Dispute Settlement 
Registry).  
 2. Maintain the official file of disputes from opening to final disposition in accordance with approved internal controls, procedures and rules.  Monitor and ensure the completion of required 
procedural steps, such as proper acceptance, tr ansmission, service and custody of filed documents 
and correspondence in on-going disputes, and ensuri ng conformity with applicable confidentiality 
procedures. If a dispute is appealed, ensure a proper transmission of the complete official record 
of panel proceedings to the Appellate Body. 
 3. Provide case management support to users, including Secretariat staff, panelists, arbitrators 
and Members in relation to filings and records of on-going and past disputes.  
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4. Liaise with archivists regarding proper storage of official files of dispute settlement proceedings.  
5. Fulfil various administrative functions for the Digital Dispute Settlement Registry software 
application to ensure the smooth and efficient oper ation of the Registry and of on-going disputes. 
Such tasks include managing user accounts, generation of statistical reports on dispute activity, 
developing user guides, and other functions in the WTO's electronic case management software 
application.  
6. Develop, recommend and implement, under the guidance of the Divisional focal point, new 
or improved procedures as necessary to ensure the efficient and effective maintenance of the WTO 
dispute settlement registry.  
7. Perform other duties as assigned by the Director, some of which may develop over time to 
include conducting basic research, preparing panel timetables, organizing submissions, exhibits and annexes for particular disputes, and preparing certifications, notifications, and 
communications relating to WTO legal instruments, accessions, and the depositary functions of the 
Director-General.  
 
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS  Education: 
 
Post-secondary training in clerical skills and/or document management skills or demonstrated superior ability in clerical and/or document management skills through experience;  specific post-
secondary training in paralegal, legal secretary or other specialized legal studies will be an asset. 
 Knowledge and Skills: 
 
Knowledge of the WTO in general and good know ledge of WTO dispute settlement procedures and 
rules of conduct will be an asset.   
Experience with the use of relevant document management software; knowledge of electronic case 
management and case filing applications will be an asset.  
Ability to apply a body of rules and procedures  that involve the routine use of specialized 
terminology and automated software, data entry, and report generation; expert document and file management skills, including ability to manage co nstant flow of documents from several disputes 
simultaneously.  
 Strong service orientation and interpersonal skills;  organizational skills and ability to manage multiple tasks efficiently according to strict deadlines and time constraints;  ability to take 
initiative and work with little supervision;  strong professional standards, ability to maintain high 
level of confidentiality with tact and discretion.  
Text processing skills and expertise in MS suite of applications, including proficiency in MS Excel. 
Ability to work as a member of a team; to work harmoniously with Secretariat Staff, panelists, arbitrators and Members in a multi-cultural environment; and to work under time pressure and still 
work effectively with colleagues. 
 Work Experience:  
At least eight years' relevant professional experience in case management and case filing tasks in 
a legal setting, in the private or public sector, or in an international organization.  
Languages: 
 Proficiency in English including the ability to communicate precisely and concisely orally and in 
writing in English; knowledge of other official languages of the WTO, especially Spanish, would be 
an asset;  OFFICE(13)/38 
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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. 
 
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.