OFFICE(18 )/43 
18-2818 
 
 
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 -25 Issued on:  8 May 2018  
 
Title:  Head, Language Services Branch  Application Deadline (CET):  5 June 2018  
 
Grade:  10 
 Division:  Languages, Documentation and 
Information Management  
(486) Contract Type:  Fixed -term 
 
Starting Salary:  CHF CHF 157,859  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 a position of Head, Language Services 
Branch of the Language, Documentation and Information Management Division. The 
selected candidate will be expected to take up the job as of 1 August 2018. . 
 
 
General Functions  
 
Under the supervision of the Director of the Languages, Documentation and Information 
Management Division, the incumbent will have primary responsibility for supervising and managing 
the day -to-day operations of the Branch. The incumbent will al so act as Chief of the English 
Translation Section. Key accountabilities will include:  
 
1. Working with the Heads of Section, managing, monitoring and evaluating the ongoing 
performance of the Language Services Branch and the quality of its outputs and ser vices; 
identifying and initiating actions for improvement and innovation, and advising the Director on any 
appropriate improvements; ensuring that the Branch produces high -quality results within the limits 
of the resources available by making the best use of its human and technological assets and by 
monitoring and implementing efficiency targets; promoting the sharing of best practices across 
sections and the Organization;  
 
2.  Applying industry best practices, especially in the area of technology, and, whe re 
appropriate, liaising with counterparts in other organizations. Proactively exploring ways of 
leveraging and implementing technological advances to streamline and optimize the productivity of 
the sections;  
 
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  3. Defining priorities, formulating and develo ping guidelines and instructions governing 
translation, revision and terminology work; supporting the authoritative linguistic determinations 
made by the relevant heads of  section;  
  
4. Optimising the management of the Language Services Branch by obtainin g efficiency gains 
in the translation and translation support areas, including by formulating and approving detailed 
work programmes, forecasts of planned workload and capacity, and statistics on real output;  
 
5. Supervising the implementation of translati on outsourcing policy;  
 
6. Coordinating with Directors of other Divisions on all matters relating to translation, and 
representing the Organization at high -level meetings relating to translation policy;  
 
7. Managing the staff and budgetary resources allocated to the Language Services Branch and 
to the English Translation Section;  
 
8. Supervising the day -to-day operations of the English Translation Section, including the 
recruitment of temporary staff as required and the maintenance of a roster of temp orary in -house 
and external translators;  
 
9. Monitoring the quality of the Section's work; translating and/or revising particularly urgent 
or sensitive documents where necessary;  
 
10. Collecting and analyzing statistical data and/or undertaking any other a dministrative 
activities that may be necessary.  
 
 
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS  
 
Education:  
 
An advanced university degree, preferably in languages, translation, law, economics, or science 
and technology. Alternatively a basic university degree in the afore -mentioned disciplines 
combined with professional experience equivalent to an advanced university degree could be 
considered.  
 
Knowledge and Skills:  
 
Technical Knowledge and Skills:  
 
• In-depth knowledge of the translation business, including translation suppo rt activities;    
 
• Strong analytical skills;  
 
• Excellent drafting skills in English and an ability to draft in French or Spanish;  
 
• Proven experience in the use of computer -assisted translation and terminology software.  
 
Behavioural Skills  
 
The following interpersonal capabilities are required: ability to initiate and build relationships with 
a variety of people both inside and outside the Organization; to persuade others to a point of view 
using facts; to communicate and understand clear factual  information; to supervise a group of 
people in their day -to-day work; to cope with and resolve conflicts in conformity with the relevant 
guidelines; and to work in a team where supporting and gaining the support of others is important 
to achieving her/his  objectives.  
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  Work Experience:  
 
Minimum ten (10) years’ professional experience, of which at least eight (8) have been gained in 
international organizations.  
 
The professional experience must include a minimum of eight (8) years, preferably ten (10) years  
or more, of accredited experience as a translator or reviser, and a minimum of five (5) years' 
managerial experience is required.  
 
Languages:  
 
A perfect command of English, both oral and written, is required, together with a thorough 
knowledge of French a nd Spanish.  
 
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 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.  
______________________________________________________________________  
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 a n online 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.