OFFICE(12)/33 
12-4275 
 
 
The recruitment policy of the WTO is to seek to attract and retain staff members 
offering the highest standards of comp etence, 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/12-12 Issued On:   1 August 2012 
 
Title:   Legal Affairs Specialist Application Deadline (CET):   29 August 
2012  
Grade:   8 
 Division:   Council and Trade Negotiations 
Committee 
(26) Contract Type:   Fixed-term 
 
Starting Salary:   CHF 114,500 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 a ttractive 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 po sition of Legal Affairs Specialist in the Council 
and Trade Negotiations Committee Division.  Serv ing staff members interested in the position 
are also invited to apply. 
  
General Functions  
 
Under the guidance of the Director of the Division, the incumbent will be responsible for the following accountabilities: 
 
1. Provide advice to the Director-General and/or the Director of the Division in managing relations with the Host country, including the app lication and review of the Headquarters Agreement 
and the Infrastructure Agreement.  
2. At the request of the Director, assist with th e organization of meetings of the General Council, 
the Trade Negotiations Committee, the Dispute Se ttlement Body and the Ministerial Conference, 
verifying that the meetings of these bodies take place in conformity with the legal requirements of the 
WTO Agreements and Decisions.  OFFICE(12)/33 
Page 2  
 
  3. Provide legal advice on draft decisions by  the General Council, the Trade Negotiations 
Committee and the Ministerial Conference, in coordination with other Divisions.  4. Build relationships with the Members’ dele gations to establish trus t and open and objective 
communication. 
 
5. Provide the Director with analysis of and propo sals on issues in the context of the work of the 
Division.  6. Deliver technical assistance activities on subjects relevant to the Division, at the request of the 
Director. 
 7. Continually and proactively build his/her e xpertise and use this to support relations with 
Members.   
 
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS 
 
Education: 
 
Advanced university degree in in ternational law or equivalent. 
 
Knowledge and Skills: 
 
Sound knowledge of International Administrative Law.    
Excellent analytical and legal drafting skills;  excel lent communication skills with the ability to argue 
clearly and logically in written and oral form;  ne gotiation skills;  interpersonal skills with the ability 
to work well in a multicultural team;  organizationa l skills with the ability to work under pressure and 
to respect deadlines.  
Work Experience: 
 
A minimum of five years' relevant experience in the area of law including as a lawyer, gained in an 
academia, a legal department of an intergovernment al organization or a national public or private 
entity or equivalent.    
Experience in and knowledge of Swiss law.  Experience in advising authorities.  
 
Languages: 
 
Excellent command of English and French, both oral and written.  Knowledge of  Spanish would be an 
asset.  
 
Additional Information: 
 
The position may be offered at a lower grade if th e selected candidate does not fully meet all the 
required qualifications. 
 
Only applications from nationals of WTO Members will be accepted.   OFFICE(12)/33 
 Page 3 
 
 
  __________________________________________________________________________________ 
APPLICANTS MAY BE REQUIRED TO SIT A WRITTEN EXAMINATION 
__________________________________________________________________________________ 
APPLICANTS WILL BE CONTACTED DIRECTLY IF SELECTED FOR AN INTERVIEW 
__________________________________________________________________________________ 
Online applications are strongly encour aged 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 on line as soon as possible after the vacancy has 
been posted and well before the closing date - Cent ral 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.