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20-4374 
 
 
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/F/20-35 Issued on:   24 June 2020     
 
Title:  Paralegal      Application Deadline:   22 July 2020       
 
Grade:  5 
 Division:  Rules  
 
Contract Type:  Fixed -term     
 
Starting Salary:  CHF 71,925  net per annum  
(approximate)  Duration:  Two years with the possibility for 
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.  
Additiona l information on the compensation package is provided on the 
WTO website:  
https://www.wto.org/english/thewto_e/vacan_e/compensation_e.htm  
 
 
The Secretariat of the WTO is seeking to fill the position of Paralegal  in the Rules Division .  
 
The Rules Division is responsible for all aspects of WTO work, legal and technical, in the areas of 
trade remedies (anti -dumping, countervailing and safeguard measures), subsidies, Trade -Related 
Investment Measures (TRIMS), civil aircraft, and state trading enterprises. The Division facilitates 
and actively assists in negotiations, consultations, and monitoring of implementation, and provides 
implementation assi stance, counselling and expert advice to WTO Members, in each of these areas. 
The Rules Division also provides full support to panels for disputes in these areas, which collectively 
account for roughly one -half of all WTO disputes.    
 
General Functions  
 
The main role of the paralegal is to assist with dispute settlement activities. In particular, under the 
supervision of more senior staff, the incumbent will:  
 
1. Support dispute settlement panel proceedings, including by: organizing information from 
submis sions and exhibits; drafting summaries of facts and data; preparing communications; 
compiling information in various formats, including spreadsheets, charts, and tables; preparing 
summary records of internal meetings with panelists , technical editing of do cuments prepared by 
more senior stafffor style, grammar and formatting, and verifying quotations, legal references and 
footnote citations; and attending various meetings and hearings and taking notes.  
 
2. Prepare routine dispute settlement documents follow ing established precedents and 
guidelines; assist all dispute settlement professional and support staff in the Division in ensuring 
that dispute settlement documents conform to the Legal Affairs and Rules Divisions' Editorial Guide 
and the WTO Formatting G uide. Provide technical assistance to the Division on drafting and data 
management softwares.  
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  3. Support more senior staff and the Director in the panel composition process, including: 
drafting communications to the parties, preparing speaking notes and mi nutes for meetings, 
updating different status lists and candidates lists, updating and improving the information of the 
panellists candidates' database for both the Rules and the Legal Affairs Divisions, and preparing 
drafts for DG memos and panel composit ion documents.  
 
4. Collaborate closely with counterpart dispute settlement staff in the Legal Affairs Division, 
including the DS Registrar, paralegals and others, inter alia in respect of the maintenance and 
operation of the e -filing system and digital reg istry.  
 
5. Develop and maintain good knowledge of the WTO Understanding on Rules and Procedures 
Governing the Settlement of Disputes (DSU), the Rules of Conduct for the DSU, the relevant Working 
Procedures, Editorial  and Formatting Guide s, as well as  other sources and tools used in WTO dispute 
settlement.   
 
6. Undertake other tasks as may be assigned in support of the Division's dispute settlement 
activities.  
 
 
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS  
 
Education:  
 
Completion of secondary school or equivalent technical or commercial school; specialized training or 
proven expertise developed through relevant experience working as a paralegal, registrar, or 
functional equivalent, managing information and preferably legal information, is required.  Further 
educatio n or certification in paralegal or related studies will be an advantag e. 
 
Knowledge and Skills:  
 
Technical Knowledge and Skills:  
 
General knowledge of the WTO; basic knowledge of WTO dispute settlement procedures.  
 
Excellent knowledge of standard office so ftware applications (including Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, 
Excel, and Adobe Acrobat). Knowledge of database applications, editing software, case management 
software and/or electronic filing will be an asset.  
 
Ability to summarise often complex and volumino us information and compile and present facts and 
data in usable formats; very good English drafting and editing skills; ability to draft routine 
documents in English following established precedents and guidelines.  
 
Behavioural Skills:  
 
Excellent organizat ional skills and ability to pay close attention to detail; working under pressure, 
ability to manage time efficiently and prioritize and manage multiple assignments subject to strict 
deadlines;  ability to exercise initiative and judgement within establish ed guidelines.  
 
Tact and discretion and the ability to adhere rigorously to requirements of confidentiality; ability to 
work independently according to established guidelines and instructions and as part of dispute 
settlement teams on multiple cases.  
 
Ability to relate to and build relationships with colleagues; communicate and understand clear factual 
information; persuade others to a point of view using facts; face and cope with conflict situations 
with colleagues; work as a member of a team, relating to  others, while working independently to 
achieve his/her objectives.  
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  Work Experience:  
 
At least five years' relevant experience, including experience working as a paralegal, registrar, or 
functional equivalent, managing information (and preferably legal information), working with and 
editing legal documents,  involved in litigation activities in a law firm, government or corporate legal 
office, or nation al or international judicial institution or quasi -judicial agency.  
 
Languages:  
 
Excellent English, including very good drafting skills  (at a level corresponding or equivalent to a 
minimum of C1 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) ). 
Knowledge of French or Spanish would be an asset. Shortlisted candidates will be asked to provide 
proof of their language skills under a recognized framework  (e.g. CEFR, IELTS, etc.)  unless the 
language in question is their  mother tongue. The language skills of shortlisted candidates who are 
unable to provide proof of their language proficiency will be assessed as part of the selection process.  
 
Additional Information:  
 
The position may be offered at a lower grade if the sel ected 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 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 months, and may subsequently 
be called upon as and when the need arises for additional resources.  
 
______________________________________________________________________  
APPLICANTS MAY BE REQUIRED TO S IT A WRITTEN EXAMINATION  
______________________________________________________________________  
APPLICANTS WILL BE CONTACTED DIRECTLY IF SELECTED FOR AN INTERVIEW  
______________________________________________________________________  
Please note that all candidates 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 on line as soon as possible after the vacancy has  
been posted and well before the closing date – Geneva (Switzerland) time –  
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.