OFFICE(09)/58 
09-4964 
 
 
The recruitment policy of the WTO shall be to seek  to attract and retain staff members offering 
the highest standards of competen ce, efficiency and integrity. 
The fullest regard shall be given to th e merit, qualifications and experience. 
The WTO is an Equal Opportunities Employer. 
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Vacancy Notice No.:   EXT/F/09-21  Issued on:   12 October 2009  
Title:   Director  Application deadline:   1 December 2009  
Grade:   11 
Contract type:   Fixed-term  Division:   Legal Affairs 
(39) 
Starting Salary:   CHF 197,100 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 attractive compensation package including 
an annual net salary (subject to mandatory deductions for pensi on contributions and 
health insurance), dependency benefits, pension plan, health insurance scheme, 
separation grant and 30 days annual vacation.   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 the position of Director in the Legal Affairs 
Division.  Serving staff members interested in  the position are also invited to apply. 
 
 
General Functions  
 
The incumbent will head the Legal Affairs Division,  which is responsible for providing legal advice 
and related services to the Office of the Director-Gen eral and the WTO Secretariat as a whole; to the 
Dispute Settlement Body and, upon request, to ot her WTO bodies; to dispute settlement panels and 
arbitral bodies; to delegations to the WTO; and,  as appropriate, to the general public.  Specific 
responsibilities will include the following duties: 
 1. Managing the overall operation of the division, including assigning and reviewing the work of 
the approximately one dozen other permanent lawyers in the division and ensuring that the division's administrative practices conform with WTO rules and regulations.    
2. Providing advice on WTO law and practice to the Director-General and other divisions of the 
WTO Secretariat; to the Dispute Settlement Body and, as requested, to WT O committees and working 
groups; to dispute settlement panels and arbitral  bodies; to delegations to the WTO; and, as 
appropriate, to the public.  Also responsible for reviewing, as the need arises, the advice given by OFFICE(09)/58 
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  others in the organization on the law of the in ternational civil service and on privileges and 
immunities of the WTO Secretariat.   3. Overseeing participation of the division in the organization's extensive teaching and training 
programmes, with a particular focus on WTO disput e settlement; such oversight  also extends to the 
preparation of teaching and training materials to this end, including for e-training. 
 4. Overseeing the preparation and updating of re ference materials on WTO law and practice, 
including the WTO Analytical Index - WTO Law a nd Practice; WTO Status of Legal Instruments; 
WTO Dispute Settlement: One-Page Case Summaries; as well as the preparation of inputs on WTO 
legal developments for other WTO publications. 
 5. Assisting the WTO Membership in giving legal e ffect to any agreements they may negotiate 
and conclude within the legal framework of the WTO.  
6. Supervising the operation of the Dispute Settlement Registry. 
 7. Supervising the operation of the WTO Depository. 
 8. Overseeing the operation of the Division's extensive legal internship programme. 
 
9. Representing the DG and the WTO Secretariat in various public and academic functions in 
Geneva and abroad that address WTO dispute settleme nt matters and legal issues of relevance to the 
WTO.  10. Undertaking any other tasks that may be assigned by the Director General. 
 
 
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS 
 
Education:  
 In addition to a basic university degree, proven theoretical knowledge and/or professional expertise 
equivalent to an advanced university degree in la w, with extensive knowledg e of international trade 
law and solid knowledge of public inte rnational law.  Should be licensed or be eligible to be licensed 
to practice law in at least one municipal jurisdiction.   Knowledge:  
 
Excellent knowledge of economic and legal issues re lating to the WTO.  Knowledge of and practical 
experience with other dispute resolution mechanisms, at  national or international level, would also be 
an asset.  Work Experience: 
 
At least fifteen years as a legal practitioner in e ither the public or private sectors, including 
considerable practical experience in trade law.   Extensive management experience with broad 
supervisory responsibilities over a dozen or more pe ople is highly desirable, and a proven ability to 
interact and work with other highly qualified le gal professionals is a must.  Ability to work 
harmoniously with senior management and to cooper ate effectively with one's peers in a diverse 
international setting is important.   OFFICE(09)/58 
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  Languages:  
 
Fluent knowledge of English (including legal Englis h) is essential, including a demonstrated ability to 
write accurately, concisely and quickly, and to review and edit effectively the work of other lawyers.  
A good knowledge of French and/or Spanis h would also be an important asset. 
 
Additional Information: 
 
This position will be vacant as of 1 September 2010 further to the retirement of the incumbent. 
 
Only applications from nationals of WTO Members will be accepted. 
 
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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 online as soon as possible after the v acancy has been posted 
and well before the closing date stated in the vacancy announcement. 
 
Off-line 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.