OFFICE( 18)/15 
18-1250 
 
 
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/18-10 Issued on:  28 February 2018  
 
Title:  Director  Application Deadline (CET):  28 March 2018  
 
Grade:  11 
 Division:  Rules  
(83) 
Contract Type:  Fixed -term 
 
Starting Salary:  CHF 187,769  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:  
http://www.wto.org/english/thewto_e/vacan_e/comp_package_e.pdf . 
 
 
The Secretariat of the WTO is seeking to fill the position of Director of the Rules Division . 
 
 
General Functions  
 
The incumbent will lead the Rules Division, which is responsible for all matters in the areas of 
subsidies, contingent trade remedies (anti -dumping, countervailing measures and safeguards), 
trade -related investment measures, state trad ing enterprises and trade in civil aircraft including 
negotiations, dispute settlement, implementation and surveillance and technical assistance. 
Specific responsibilities will include:  
 
1. Leading the Division, including defining the strategic objectives of the Division; setting the 
objectives for, and motivating, a multidisciplinary staff of lawyers, economists, trade specialists 
and support staff to meet those objectives; providing guidanc e to staff in carrying out their duties; 
reviewing the output and performance of the staff; and supporting the development of the 
knowledge and skills of staff, and ensuring appropriate staff training plans are in place and 
executed;  
 
2. Contributing to t he goals, objectives and management of the WTO as a senior manager in 
the organization.  
 
3. Overseeing the work of the Division in respect of the operation of Committees responsible 
for implementation and surveillance of the Agreements within the Division' s competence;  
 
4. Overseeing the work of staff of the Division involved in dispute settlement, and ensuring the 
efficient management of procedural and organizational aspects of the panel process;  
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5. Managing the conduct of negotiations in the Rules area, including through advice to the 
Chairman of the Rules Negotiating Group and to the Senior Management, support to delegations 
and to WTO Secretariat senior management;  
 
6. Building relationships with the Members in order to serve the WTO as appropriate, be it in 
committee work, negotiations, dispute settlement, or otherwise, while maintaining neutrality and 
observing the rules of conduct;  
 
7. Overseeing the participation of the Division in the organization's extensive technical 
assistance and training programmes with regard to all matters under the Division's purview; such 
oversight extends to the preparation of teaching and training materials to this end, including for 
practical hands -on training of investigators and further development of e -learning t raining tools;  
 
8. Working closely with the Director of the Legal Affairs Division in ensuring consistency in 
procedures and legal advice given to dispute settlement panels on horizontal/systemic matters;  
 
9. Coordinating the Division's work with that of other Divisions, including providing substantive 
contributions to the work of other Divisions;  
 
10. Liaising with relevant international organisations, NGOs, and private sector entities, 
including speaking engagements; and  
 
11. Representing the WTO Secreta riat in various public and academic functions in Geneva and 
abroad that address issues falling within the purview of the Rules Division.  
 
 
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS  
 
Education:  
 
An advanced university degree in disciplines relevant to the job functions liste d above.   
 
Knowledge and Skills:  
 
Technical Knowledge and Skills:  
 
The successful candidate must demonstrate an expert level of knowledge of the WTO system and 
of legal and economic issues in the areas within the Division's competence, in international tr ade 
law, and the WTO dispute settlement system. He/she must have an excellent knowledge of  the 
goals and objectives of the WTO, including on relevant economic and legal issues. He/she must 
also possess an expert level of drafting skills in English.  
 
Mana gement Skills:  
 
The Director of the Rules Division must have the skills to guide, empower and motivate a 
multidisciplinary team of approximately 35 staff members to excel in their jobs. He/she must be 
able to build a team culture that consistently delivers  high-quality results. Excellent demonstrated 
management and organizational skills (planning and organizing work, managing people and 
performance, managing resources) are essential.  
 
In addition, the following capabilities are required: ability to interac t and work with others in a 
diverse international setting in a harmonious and effective way; good presentation and 
communication skills; high level of political awareness and sensitivity; intellectual flexibility 
including openness to other's views and abi lity to find solutions; and good political judgement.  
High ethical standards and the ability to ensure adherence by others to established rules of 
conduct are also required.  
 
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  Work Experience:  
 
At least fifteen years relevant experience including extensive  management experience with broad 
supervisory responsibilities, in either the public or private sectors, is required. Significant 
experience with trade remedy investigations will be an asset, as would experience in managing 
multilateral negotiations.  
 
Lang uages:  
 
Fluent knowledge of English is essential, including a demonstrated ability to write accurately, 
concisely and quickly. A good knowledge of French and/or Spanish would also be an advantage.  
 
Additional Information:  
 
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 c entres, interviews and reference checks.  
______________________________________________________________________  
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 AFTER THE  
CLOSING DATE WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED  
 
The WTO is a non -smoking environment.