OFFICE(1 8)/38 
18-2732 
 
 
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/L /18-42 Issued on:  30 August 2018  
 
Title:  Economic Affairs Officer  Application Deadline (CET):  27 September  2018 
 
Grade:  6 
 Division:  Agriculture and Commodities  
(L017)  
Contract Type:  Fixed-term 
 
Starting Salary:  CHF 83,548  net per annum  
(approximate)  Duration:  One year , with the possibility of 
extension based on performance, divisional needs 
and availability of funds.  
 
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 r emoval 
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 Economic Affairs Officer in the 
Agriculture and Commodities Division . 
 
 
General Functions  
 
Under the general supervision of the Director of the Agriculture and Commodities Division, the 
incumbent will assist with work relating to (i) the developement assitance aspects of cotton and 
(ii) the Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanit ary Measures (SPS Agreement). 
This includes on cotton: the servicing of  the Director -General's Consultative Framework Mechanism 
on Cotton  and all related tasks ; and on SPS:  assisting with the manag ement of  the in -house SPS 
database and notification submiss ion system  and with the servicing of the SPS Committee . The 
incumbent will also be expected to deliver training on Cotton and on the  SPS Agreement, and will 
carry out all listed tasks under the guidance and direct supervision of senior staff members. The 
tasks include , inter alia : 
 
1. Support the organization, running and follow up  of the biannual meetings of the Director -
General's Consultative Framework Mechanism on Cotton ; and prepare requested briefs, documents 
(including draft Ministerial texts), infogr aphics  and flyers.  
 
2. Liaise with relevant Members,  international donor organizations, bilateral donors , the private 
sector  and other key partners to prepare the mandated  updates of the Director -General's Evolving 
Table on Cotton Development Assistance a nd to advance cotton -related assistance and 
development projects . 
 
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  3. Assist with the management,  maintenance and improvement of the SPS Information 
Management System ( IMS) and Notification Submission System ( NSS), ensuring the information 
contained in the  SPS IMS is up -to-date, preparing data and analyses to include in docum ents and 
reports, and providing  training on the use of the SPS IMS and NSS . 
 
4. Assist in p repar ing training materials for and deliver technical assistance on : Cotton, use of 
the Cotton  Portal, the SPS Agreement , the SPS IMS and NSS,  as well as the relevant provisions of 
other WTO agreements. In carrying out these functions, the incumbent will be expected to 
cooperate with other divisions in the WTO as well as with inter -governmental org anizations active 
in these fields. 
 
5. Provide support, as requested, for the work of the SPS Committee , including the preparation 
of documents and reports. The incumbent will also be expected to assist with other work related to 
the SPS Committee, for example the preparation of documents for and the organization of informal 
meetings or thematic sessions.  
 
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS  
 
Education:  
 
An advanced  university degree in economics, agricultural economics, or a closely related topic, 
preferably with specialization in international trade , or a basic university degree combined with 
relevant professional expe rience and proven expertise equivalent to an advanced university 
degree .  
 
Knowledge and Skills:  
 
Technical skills:  
Good understanding  of the WTO and of issues of concern to developing country Members.   
General  understanding of the WTO's work on cotton , specifically on t he development assistance 
front, as well as  knowledge of the SPS Agreement .  
General  knowledge in the area s of agriculture , food safety , standards and regulations  would be an 
asset . 
Demonstrated ability to write accurately, concisely and clearly  in English  and in French . 
Ability to use word processing, PowerPoint , Excel  and similar software.  
 
Behavioural skills:  
Ability  to set priorities/work under pressure ; maturity and tact in dealing with delegations and 
development partners;  ability  to communicate complex information in a clear way  and present 
technical facts to a wide variety of audiences , in both English and French ; ability to  relate to and 
build relationships with colleagues , and work as part of a team in a multicultural environment , 
relating to others, while working independently to achieve his/her objectives .  
 
Work Experience:  
 
At least t wo years of relevant experience on trade -related policy , health , international trade or 
development  issues , preferably on  issues related to the d evelopment assistance aspects of cotton 
and the implementation of the SPS Agreement . Experience in preparing and undertaking technical 
assistance activities  would be an asset .  
 
Languages:  
 
Excellent English and French language skills. Knowledge of  Spanish would be considered an asset. 
 
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 cand idates. The recruitment process may also involve the use of 
various forms of testing, assessment centres, interviews and reference checks.  
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  Candidates not selected whose performance in the selection process nevertheless shows them to 
be suitable for a simi lar 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 WR ITTEN EXAMINATION  
______________________________________________________________________  
APPLICANTS WILL BE CONTACTED DIRECTLY IF SELECTED FOR AN INTERVIEW  
______________________________________________________________________  
Please note that all candidat es 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.