OFFICE(12)/29 
12-3610 
 
 
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/F/12-10 Issued On:   6 July 2012 
 
Title:   Dispute Settlement Lawyer Application Deadline (CET):  16 August 2012 
 
Grade:   9 
 Division:   Appellate Body Secretariat 
(9012, 9013) 
Contract Type:   Fixed-term 
 
Starting Salary:   CHF 136,100 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 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 two Dispute Settlement Lawyer positions in the 
Appellate Body Secretariat.  Serving staff members interested in the position are also invited to 
apply. 
 
 General Functions  
 
1. Deliver substantive legal advice and assistance to adjudicators and other lawyers and serve as 
team leader in less complex disputes or co-lead in complex disputes.  
2. Conduct or direct research on complex legal issues, prepare or guide the preparation of 
analyses of difficult legal issues in the context of disputes, and prepare or direct the preparation of legal opinions on complex and/or novel issues.   3. Deliver advice and assistance to Appellate Body Members, and occasionally to the Director-
General, other WTO Divisions, and WTO Memb ers as appropriate, on some occasions under the 
supervision of more senior lawyers.  OFFICE(12)/29 
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  4. Deliver technical assistance and training on the WTO agreements and dispute settlement 
practices and procedures and make presentations in academic conferences and other settings.  
Contribute to the development of training material.   REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS 
 
Education: 
 
Advanced university degree in law including studies in  international trade law and public international 
law.  Studies in economics is an advantage;  licence or  eligibility to be licensed to practice law in at 
least one municipal jurisdiction is an advantage.  
Knowledge and Skills: 
 Thorough knowledge and appreciati on of international, legal and economic principles and issues, 
adjudicative process and practice, including relating to WTO jurisprudence.  Excellent legal, analytical and problem-solving skills ;  legal drafting skills of a very high standard;  
presentation of thoughts in a logical, succinct, artic ulate and persuasive manner, both orally and in 
written form. 
 
Ability to conduct advanced legal research as well as analyze and synthesize often highly technical 
and complex information of a legal, factual a nd/or economic nature while working under tight 
deadlines;  to effectively supervise a dispute settle ment team working under tight deadlines, manage 
aspects of the dispute settlement process including time management as well as prioritization of tasks 
of a team;  and to revise drafts to refl ect various views in a coherent manner. 
 The following interpersonal capabilities are required: to act as a co-operative and effective member of 
a  team that works under severe time pressure and resource constraints and that must produce a coherent group product; to effectively direct or co -direct the work of a team and guide team members 
in carrying out assignments by providing constructive feedback and advice;  to develop and maintain 
relationships and forge consensus with colleagues, adjudicators and others both inside and outside the 
WTO, including representatives of Members;  to pe rsuade through sound argu mentation and advice;  
to adhere to and ensure adherence by team members and adjudicators to set rules of conduct, ensuring 
confidentiality, impartiality and an absence of conflicts  of interest;  and to apply tact and discretion. 
 Work Experience: 
 
At least eight years' relevant working experience as a lawyer, preferably with a mixture of private/public/academic sector work.  Experi ence in supervising others in teams.  
 
Languages: 
 
Excellent command of written and spoken English;  a good working knowledge of either French or 
Spanish is an advantage.  
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.  OFFICE(12)/29 
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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 on line as soon as possible after the vacancy has 
been posted and well before the closing date - Cent ral European Time (CET) - 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.