OFFICE(10)/43 
10-3415 
 
 
The recruitment policy of the WTO is to seek to attract and retain staff members 
offering the highest standards of comp etence, efficiency and integrity. 
As an Equal Opportunities Employer, the WTO gives full regard to merit and diversity. 
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Vacancy Notice No.:   EXT/L/10-22 Issued On:   25 June 2010 
 
Title:   Counsellor Application Deadline:   23 July 2010 
 
Grade:   9 
 
Contract Type:   Fixed-term 
 Division:   Agriculture and Commodities 
(L018) 
Starting Salary:   CHF 140,900 net per annum 
(approximate)  Duration:   One year (with  possibility of 
extension up to one year only) 
 
Other Conditions: In accordance with WTO Staff Regulations  and Staff Rules and WTO Pension Plan 
Regulations. The World Trade Organization offers an a ttractive 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. 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 th e position of Counsellor in the Agriculture and 
Commodities Division to assist in technical c ooperation and capacity-building work pursuant to 
the Doha Development Agenda, in particular with  regard to the negotiations on agriculture, the 
implementation of the Agreement on Agriculture,  and on the Agreement on the Application of 
Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS Agreemen t).  Serving staff members interested in 
the position are also invited to apply.  
 
General Functions  
 Under the supervision of the Director of the Ag riculture and Commodities Division, the incumbent 
will perform the following functions:  1. Design and participate in national, regional and multilateral workshops , seminars or symposia 
to provide accurate and comprehensive training, in pa rticular to officials in developing countries, with 
regard to domestic support to agriculture, ma rket access and export competition issues in the 
agriculture negotiations, preparation of national schedules of concessions. 
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  2. Design, provide training and participate in various workshops, semina rs or symposia, with 
regard to issues arising in the implementation of  the Agreement on Agriculture and the Agreement on 
the Application of Sanitary and Ph ytosanitary Measures (SPS Agreement). 
 2. Provide comprehensive and accurate techni cal and policy advice to Members, acceding 
countries, senior management, other Divisions, other in ternational organizations and the private sector 
with respect to the ongoing negotiations on agricultu re, as well as with respect to the implementation 
of existing commitments in the areas of market a ccess, export competition a nd domestic support, and 
under the SPS Agreement.   
3. Contribute to the agriculture negotiations by e ffectively assisting in all matters related to the 
preparations, conduct and follow-up of Special Sessi ons of the Committee on Agriculture and related 
technical and other consultations.  This includes providing concise and timely inputs for the further 
work on modalities and other negotiating matters, including preparing Chair and Secretariat documents, papers and other substa ntive inputs for the negotiations. 
 
4. Undertake any other tasks assigned by the Dir ector which may include supporting the work of 
the SPS Committee or serving as Secretary to a dispute settlement panel.   
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS 
 
Education: 
 
An advanced university degree in economics, law,  business administration or a related field, or 
equivalent proven professional knowledge and expertise. 
 
Knowledge: 
 
Excellent knowledge and understanding of the issues relating to agricultural trade, the trade 
negotiations, and the problems faced by develo ping countries in the implementation of the SPS 
Agreement.  Understanding of the functioning of the WTO.  Good organizational skills.  Ability to 
work as part of a team in a multicultural envir onment and to establish and maintain good working 
relations with government officials of different na tionalities.  Ability to write clearly, concisely and 
rapidly.  Good presentation skills.  
Work Experience: 
 
A minimum of eight years relevant experience relati ng to agricultural trade, WTO trade negotiations, 
and the implementation of the Agreement on Agricu lture and the SPS Agreement, preferably in an 
international organization or na tional government.  Experience in designing and delivering technical 
assistance events/activities is necessary.  Specific expe rience in international trade policy, especially 
as related to agriculture, is an asset.  Ability to  exercise tact and discretion and to maintain 
confidentiality. 
 
Languages: 
 
An excellent knowledge of English with a very go od knowledge of at least one of the other two 
official languages, sufficient to provide training and make effective presentations.  Drafting quickly 
and accurately, particularly in En glish, is an essential requirement. 
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  Additional Information: 
 
The position may be offered at a lower grade if th e selected candidate does not fully meet all the 
required qualifications.  
Only applications from nationals of WTO Members will be accepted. 
 
__________________________________________________________________________________ 
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 on line as soon as possible after the vacancy has 
been posted and well before the closing da te stated in the vacancy announcement. 
 
Offline 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.