OFFICE(05)/15 
 10 February 2005 
 
 
05-0559 WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION 
 
WTO  
 
Geneva  
 
Vacancy Notice No. 539  
  The Secretariat of WTO is seeking to fill the pos ition of Chief, Finance and Accounts Section in the 
Administration and General Services Division.  Appl ications from men and women are equally welcome.  
Serving staff members interested in this position are also invited to apply. 
 
TITLE AND GRADE: Chief – Grade 10
1 
 STARTING SALARY: Approximately Swiss francs 152,900 net p.a. 
 
OTHER CONDITIONS: In accordance with WTO Staff 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 tw o years with possibility of extension. 
 GENERAL FUNCTIONS: Under the general direc tion of the Director of the Division, the 
incumbent is responsible for th e overall planning and supervision 
of the financial and accounting opera tions of the Organization.  In 
particular, the incumbent is responsible for: 
 
(a) managing the staff of the Finance and Accounts Section; 
 (b) supervising the provision of financial and accounting services, 
including the processing  of the payroll, and the maintenance 
of the related documents and records; 
 
(c) developing and implementing sound financial procedures and 
practices; 
 
(d) developing and maintaini ng computerized financial 
management systems with a view to optimizing the management information available from such systems; 
 
(e) providing authoritative advice to senior management and 
Members in respect of financial and accounting operations; 
 
(f) liaising with and responding to the external auditors on 
financial procedures and practices; 
 (g) opening and closing the WTO accounts annually and preparing 
the part of the document which reports on the final financial 
situation of the WTO; 
                                                     
 
1 The post may be offered at a lower grade if the select ed candidate does not fully meet all of the required 
qualifications.  OFFICE(05)/15 
Page 2  
 
(h) preparing documents for, and making presentations to, the 
Committee on Budget, Finance and Administration and other bodies; 
 (i) representing the WTO at external meetings dealing with 
financial and accounting matters. 
 REQUIRED A basic university degree or recognized professional qualification QUALIFICATIONS: in finance or accountancy  together with theoretical knowledge 
equivalent to that obtained at a dvanced university degree level in 
finance or accountancy.  A minimum of ten years' progressively 
responsible and varied manage ment experience.  A thorough 
understanding of accounting principles and practices and demonstrated proficiency in th e implementation and maintenance 
of computerized accounting systems.  A proven ability to formulate 
and implement state-of-the-art systems and procedures designed to 
ensure the most efficient and timely delivery of financial services.  A demonstrated ability to plan, organize and direct all the functions of the section, necessitating, inter alia,  strong management and 
communications skills.  
 
LANGUAGES: An excellent knowledge of E nglish and French.  Proficiency in 
Spanish would be a distinct advantage. 
 
APPLICATIONS:
2 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 application 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. 539. 
  Applications will not be ac knowledged.  Only applicants 
possessing the required qualifica tions will be taken into 
consideration.  Only the successful  candidate will be notified of the 
outcome of the competition. 
                                                      
2 Only applications from nationals  of WTO Members will be accepted. 
 
    OFFICE(05)/15 
   Page 3  
27   Candidates are kindly requested to refrain from enquiring about 
progress of their application. 
 CLOSING DATE OF THIS  7 April 2005 
VACANCY NOTICE:  No applications will be considered after this date.