OFFICE(16)/23 
16-1319 
 
 
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/16-16 Issued on:   8 March 2016 
 
Title:   Head of Press Section Application Deadline (CET):   5 April 2016  
 
Grade:   10 
 Division:   Information and External 
Relations 
(15) Contract Type:   Fixed-term 
 Starting Salary:   CHF 161,395 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 _package_e.pdf . 
 
 
The Secretariat of the WTO is seeking to fill the position of Head of Press Section in the 
Information and External Relations Division.   
 
 
General Functions  
 The incumbent will undertake the following functions:  
 
1. Lead and manage the Press Section; ensure  clear roles and responsibilities, performance 
assessment and career development of staff; mentor and coach them.   
 
2. Contribute to the work of the Director, for example by assisting with media preparations for 
Ministerial meetings, informing the Director of developments, contributing to the development of 
the WTO's media strategy, or liaising with the DG's office in the absence of the Director. 
 3. Ensure the development and dissemination of communications material (press releases, speeches, information bulletins, World Trade News, website stories, etc.) on WTO activities to 
Parliamentarians, civil society, the media, other target groups and internally to the WTO. 
 4. Follow closely the work of specific WTO Committees and Councils and provide press briefings 
on specific WTO issues related to those WTO bodies.  
 5. Ensure senior management is kept current  of emerging new stories of interest and 
relevance.  
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6. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with journalists and provide training for them on WTO and trade-related issues.  Assist in organizing and conducting WTO-sponsored 
workshops for journalists. 
 7. Give presentations to the public groups visiting the WTO.  
 
8. Maintain and develop his/her knowledge of WTO issues and keep up to date with developments involving civil society and Parliamentarians, while ensuring that those in other 
sections are appraised of media developments. 
  REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS 
 
Education:  
Advanced university degree level in journalism, public relations or another relevant field, or a 
university degree with proven professional expertise equivalent to an advanced university degree.   
Knowledge and Skills: 
 The applicant must possess excellent knowledge of WTO, trade and macroeconomic issues. The 
applicant must also be a strong communicator with excellent speaking, writing and journalistic 
skills. The applicant must be well versed in the use of relevant communications tools, including 
social media, websites and audio/visual. The applicant must have the capacity to speak with clarity and authority.  
 
The applicant must have the following interpersonal capabilities: to initiate and build relationships with a variety of people both inside and outside the organization; to communicate complex 
abstract ideas to an audience of informed people and understand ideas when communicated by 
others; to persuade others to a particular point of view which may challenge others' values and beliefs; to make presentations on a variety of subjects to a wide variety of audiences; to cope with and resolve conflicts through interpreting provided guidelines on how to resolve them; to supervise 
a group of people in their day-to-day work; and to work in a team where supporting and gaining 
the support of others is important to achieving his/her objectives.  
Work Experience: 
 Minimum ten years' experience in journalism, public relations or as a press officer in a government 
or another international organization. Experience managing teams and projects is important.    
 Languages:  
Excellent speaking and writing skills in English are essential, as is a good working level of French. 
Knowledge of Spanish and/or other languages spoken  by WTO Member countries  is an advantage.  
 
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 re cruitment process may also involve the use of 
various forms of testing, assessment cent res, 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(16)/23 
 
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______________________________________________________________________ 
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 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.