05-3638 OFFICE(05)/66 
         16 August 2005 
 
 
WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION  
 
WTO  
 
Geneva  
 
Vacancy Notice No. 545   
 
 
 The Secretariat of the WTO is seeking to fill the position of Director of the Agriculture and 
Commodities Division. Applications from men and women are equally welcome.  Serving staff 
members interested in this position are also invited to apply.  TITLE AND GRADE: Director – Grade 11  
STARTING SALARY: Approximately Swiss francs 181,500 net p.a. 
 OTHER CONDITIONS: In accordance with WTO Regulations and Staff Rules and WTO 
Pension Plan Regulations.  
  A package of expatriate benefits is available to staff recruited 
internationally. 
 
TYPE OF APPOINTMENT: Fixed-term for two years, with possibility of extension.  GENERAL FUNCTIONS: The incumbent will lead the Agriculture and Commodities 
Division which is responsible for a ll matters relating to agriculture, 
trade in fish and fish products, forestry products, tropical products 
and other natural-resource based products, as well as sanitary and 
phytosanitary measures. Specific responsibilities will include: 
 
    a) leading and supervising the work of the agriculture team of the 
Secretariat, establishing and ensuring the effective 
implementation of the work progr amme of the Division, setting 
priorities and quality control;  
     b) substantive contributions to  all areas of the Division's work, 
including Secretariat papers, notes and other documents 
designed to facilitate the impl ementation of the Agreements on 
Agriculture and on the Appl ication of Sanitary and 
Phytosanitary Measures, as well as, the ongoing negotiations 
on agriculture;  
    
c) technical and policy advice  as well as other support to 
Chairpersons (Committee on Agri culture, regular meetings; 
Committee on Agriculture, Special Session; Sub-Committee on Cotton; Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures), 
delegations to the WTO, and senior WTO management;  
 
d) assisting and providing expertis e to dispute settlement panels 
and overseeing the work of sta ff of the Division involved in 
dispute settlement; 
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e) overseeing and contributing to the Division's technical 
assistance and cooperati on activities with re gard to all matters 
under the Division's purview; 
 f) coordinating the Division's work  with that of other Divisions, 
including substantive contributions to the work of other 
Divisions; 
 g) liaison with relevant international organisations, NGOs, the 
farm community, agro-industrie s and other private sector 
entities, including speaking engagements. 
 
REQUIRED  An advanced university de gree in Economics, Agricultural  
QUALIFICATIONS:  Econo mics or Law with a good grasp of  economics.  Fifteen years of 
relevant experience, including substantial work experience in an international environment.  Excellent knowledge of the WTO 
system as it relates to agriculture. Specific expertise with respect to 
trade and trade policies in the area of agriculture. Intellectual flexibility and good technical and pol itical judgement. Proven ability 
to manage effectively the work of a multicultural team.  Ability to work independently as well as to cooperate with others in a diverse 
international setting.  
 
LANGUAGES:  Excellent know ledge of English, including an ability to write 
accurately, precisely and quickly. Good working knowledge of French and Spanish would be  a distinct advantage.  
 
APPLICATIONS:
1 Please use the online application form which may be downloaded 
from the WTO website – www.wto.org  - under "vacancies".  If 
you are unable to download the application form, please send an e-mail or fax to the Human Resources Division requesting the form.  A completed form may also be submitted to the following address: 
 Director 
Human Resources Division 
WTO Centre William Rappard 154, rue de Lausanne 1211 Geneva 21 
Switzerland 
 E-mail:  humanresources@wto.org
           Fax::  +41-22-739 5772 
 Please do not send your application via multiple routes.  It is not 
necessary to follow your app lication up with copies of 
qualifications, previous employment contracts, entire publications, etc. 
 Candidates must  indicate clearly in section 15 of the application 
form the Vacancy Notice No. 545. 
 Applications will not be acknowledged.  Only applicants 
possessing the required qualifications will be taken into 
                                                           
1 Only applications from nationals of WTO Members will be accepted. 
64 
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consideration.  Only the successfu l candidate will be notified of 
the outcome of the competition. 
 Candidates are kindly requested to refrain from enquiring about 
progress of their application. 
CLOSING DATE OF THIS 
VACANCY NOTICE: 30 September 2005 
No applications will be considered after this date.