OFFICE(19)/ 6 
19-0480 
 
 
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/PP/19 -6 Issued on:  29 January 2019  
 
Title:  Project  Officer  Application Deadline  (CET):  26 February 2019  
 
Grade:  6  
 Division:  Trade and Environment  
 
Contract Type:  Project post  
 
Starting Salary:  CHF 82,962  net per annum  
(approximate)  Duration:  Two years , with possibility of 
extension for one additional year  maximum . 
 
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 contri butions 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, insta llation grant, education grant, rental subsidy, and 
home leave.  Additional information on the compensation package is provided on 
the WTO  website:  
https://www.wto.org/english/t hewto_e/vacan_e/compensation_e.htm . 
 
 
The Secretariat of the WTO is seeking to fill a Project  Officer  position  in the Trade and 
Environment Division. The Trade and Environment Division  services  the Agreement on 
Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), as well as all matters concerning the relationship 
between trade and environment.  This vacancy relates to the work of the Division under 
the TBT Agreement and the servicing of its corresponding Committee , including the 
provision of related expertise and technical assistance.  
 
ALL APPLICANTS MUST SUBMIT A COVER LETTER THAT ELABORATES THEIR EXPERIENCE 
WITH PROJECTS INVOLVING ON -LINE TOOLS, DATABASES AND SURVEYS. APPLICATIONS 
WITH NO COVER LETTER WILL NOT B E CONSIDERED.  
 
 
General Functions  
 
For the implementation of the WTO TBT Agreement , the Secretariat has developed a number of 
online transparency tools that are aimed at facilitating – and making more effective - Members' 
implementation of the Agreement. This includes ePing  (http://www.epingalert.org ) – an alert 
mechanism for TBT and S anitary and Phytosanitary (S PS) notifications based on ongoing cooperation 
with the International Trade Centre  (ITC)  and the United Nations Department of Economic and Social 
Affairs ( UNDESA ).. The incumbent  will review  ePing as well as other on -line tools currently used , 
such as the TBT Information Management System (TBT IMS), with the aim of enhancing and 
improving the service provide d by the WTO. The incumbent is expected to combine expertise  of 
working with databases, information technology, on -line tools and applications  with good knowledge 
of the TBT and SPS Agreement s. Supervised  by senior staff in the Division, functions will  include the 
following:  
 
1. Design and conduct a survey of ePing users; the purpose of the survey will be to better 
understand how individual subscribers as well as  enquiry points  currently use ePing and 
notifications ; how the system facilitates domestic coordination and participation in  WTO work; 
what needs to  be improved ; and what type of technical capacity gaps need to be filled .  
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2. Analyse the results of the survey and prepare a review report with recommendations for 
enhancements , including improvements  to content on the platform .  
 
3. Assist in preparing c onsult ations  and discuss ions of the results of the review report with partners , 
including organization of follow -up discussions with potential donors .  
 
4. Develop new online training materials , including video tutorials, revamping  the current TBT 
eLearning  modules on transparency in a way that addresses the needs of the diverse group of 
public and private stakeholders .  
 
5. Play a central role in planning, coordinating and delivering technical ass istance activities on 
transparency provisions  and tools, including the ePing  platform .  
 
6. Conduct  key outreach activities with other international and regional organizations , non-
governmental organizations and private sector associations , on transparency provisions and 
tools. 
 
7. Ensure that the ePing platform is operating effectively and contribute to making adjustments 
and enhancements to the Division’s inter -linked on-line transparency tools in close collaboration 
with other relevant Divisi ons.  
 
 
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS  
 
Education:  
Advanced university degree in economics, international relations or another  relevant field, preferably 
with a focus on trade, complemented with practical experience working with on -line tools, databases 
and surveys , is required . Alternatively an advanced university degree in business  administration , 
information management  or another relevant field  complemented with knowledge and/or experience 
in the area of international trade .   
 
Knowledge and Skills:  
 
Technical Knowledge and Skills required:  
 
• Knowledge and understanding of trade and development issues, including challenges face d 
by developing countries .  
 
• General understanding of the functioning of the WTO . 
 
• Good knowledge of the TBT and SPS Agreements , particularly the transparency provisions .  
 
• Experience in developing questionnaires, conducting surveys and follow -up interviews.  
 
• Good analytical skills, including ability to analyse data and survey results .  
 
• Demonstrated ability to work with databases, PowerPoint, Excel and similar software , as well 
as experi ence of working with on -line tools and applications.  
 
• High level of drafting skills (e.g. webcontent, reports, guides and other promotional 
material ).   
 
Behavioural Skills required:  
 
• Good organizational skills, including time management and prioritization  skills; ability to 
work swiftly and accurately and meet strict deadlines. Flexibility and adaptability.   
 
• Attention to detail and thoroughness in dealing with data and information management 
systems  
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  • Ability to understand and communicate technical inform ation in a clear way ; Ability to 
present technical facts to a variety of audiences from the public and private sectors.  
 
• Ability to work as a member of a team, relating to others, while working independently to 
achieve his/her objectives.  
 
• Ability to initiate and build relationships with a variety of people both inside and outside the 
organization.  
 
• Political sensitivity and awareness; tact and diplomacy.  
 
• Ability to adhere rigorously to rules of conduct ensuring confidentiality, impartiality and an 
absence of conflicts of interest.  
 
Work Experience:  
 
A minimum of two years of professional experience in government, private sector, academia and/or 
international organisations , with experience of working with projects involving on-line tools , 
databases  and surveys . 
 
Languages:  
 
Excellent command of English, both oral and written, including the ability to deliver presentations , 
is essential  (at a level corresponding or equivalent to a minimum of C1 according to the Common 
European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) ). A good command of either  French or 
Spanish  would be an asset . 
 
Shortlisted candidates will be  assessed on their language skills as part of the selection process and 
may be  asked to provide proof of their language skills under a recog nized framework  (e.g. CEFR, 
IELTS, etc.) . 
 
 
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 mont hs, 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  
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Please note that all can didates 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.