OFFICE(09)/36 
09-2359 
 
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. 
__________________________________________________________________________________ 
 Vacancy Notice No.: EXT/F/09-14    Issued on:   13 May 2009 
 Title:      Economic/Legal Affairs Officer  Application deadline: 11 June 2009  
 
Grade:   7      Division:   Development 
(194) 
Contract type:  Fixed-term    
 
Starting Salary: CHF 94,400 net per annum  Duration:   Two years with the  
(approximate)    possibility of extension 
 
Other  
  In accordance with WTO Staff Regulations and Staff Rules and WTO Pension Plan 
Conditions:  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 vacation.  Benefits for internationally recruited 
staff may include travel and removal e xpenses 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 Economic/Legal Affairs Officer in 
the Development Division.  Serving staff members in terested in this position are also invited to 
apply. 
 
 
General Functions  
 
Under the general direction of the Director of th e Division and under the direct supervision of the 
Head of the LDC Unit, the incumben t's duties will include the following: 
 1. All work relating to the servicing of the meetings of the WTO African Group, including making arrangements for meetings, drafting and circulating agendas, disseminating relevant 
documentation, and assisting the Chair of the Gr oup on any issues related to the African Group. 
 
2. Assist in preparing documents, background pape rs, briefs and reports relating to trade in 
Africa, as well as monitoring the different events/in itiatives being taken with respect to trade policy 
and development in Africa.  3. Monitor and prepare periodic briefs on the African Group's positions in the WTO 
negotiations. 
 OFFICE(09)/36 
Page 2  
 
4. Liaise with the concerned officials of the African Union, African Development Bank and the UNECA and other international and regional organizations, as well as w ith think-tanks and other civil 
society organizations working in/on Africa.  5. Provide assistance to other colleagues in th e LDC Unit on all issues relating to the WTO's 
Work Programme for LDCs. 
 6. Jointly carry out work related to WTO's role  in the enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF), 
ensuring links with aid for trade.  
7. Undertake technical assistance missions to Afri can countries, as well as lecture at trade policy 
courses.  8. Perform any other tasks that may be required by the Division.  
 
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS 
 
Education:  
 
Applicants must have an advanced university de gree in economics or law or a related discipline. 
 
Knowledge:  
 
Applicants should have a thorou gh understanding of issues of importance to the African countries and 
have worked with or in Africa, in addition to a good knowledge of WTO legal instruments and 
agreements.  Applicants should have proven writin g skills and should be able to demonstrate some research work 
that they may have done on issues related to trade and development in Africa. 
 
Applicants should have a thorough knowledge of the WTO negotiations  especially the position of the 
African countries.  
Work Experience: 
 
A minimum of three years of relevant professional experience.  
 
Languages:  
 
Excellent knowledge of English and a working knowledge of French . 
 
Additional Information: 
 
The position may be offered at a lower grade if the selected candidate does not fully meet the required 
qualifications-  
Only applications from nationals of WTO Members will be accepted. 
 OFFICE(09)/36 
Page 3 
 
 
 __________________________________________________________________________________  
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.