OFFICE(09)/39 
09-2498 
 
 
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/09-18   Issued on:   25 May 2009 
 Title:    Tariff and Customs Assistant Application deadline:  23 June 2009  
 
Grade:   5     Division:  Market Access Division 
(360) 
Contract type:   Fixed-term 
 
Starting Salary: CHF 75,000
 net per annum  Duration:  Two years with the possibility  
 (approximate)   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 Tariffs and Customs Issues 
Assistant in the Market Access Division.  Servin g staff members interested in this position are 
also invited to apply.  
 
General Functions  
 Working in the Market Access Division, under th e direct supervision of the Secretary of the 
Committee on Market Access, the incumbent will work in the area of tariffs and customs issues.  The 
regular duties will include:  1. Providing information on tariff classifica tion and customs valuation and other customs 
matters to delegations, colleagues, and other intergovernmental organizations;  responding to ad hoc 
requests from both within and outside the Secretariat for information on these issues.  2. Monitoring tariff information which is notifie d either to the Market Access Division, to the 
Trade Policy Review Division, Accessions Divi sion or to the Economic Research and Statistics 
Division. 
 
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3. Maintaining databases by inputting notificati ons made by Members on their Article XXVIII 
renegotiations as well as on Quantitative Restricti ons; prepare background documents compiling QR 
notifications made pursuant to the Decision (G/L/59).  4. Keeping track of copies of tariffs, in electroni c form and on paper stored in the tariff library 
of the Division, which are at the disposal of WTO Members, university researchers and private sector;  
monitoring Members websites' addresses of the va rious Government sources of national tariffs; 
indexing archived national tariffs and main taining the Market Access Database index. 
 5. Responding to requests from the business co mmunity, NGOs, academics and other groupings 
for information on customs issues. 
 
 
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS 
 
Education:  
 
Completed secondary education and/or equivalent  technical or commercial school. Specialized 
training or proven expertise in trade, tariffs or customs issues. 
 
Work Experience: 
 
At least five years of relevant experience with work ing knowledge of trade, tariffs or customs issues. 
Excellent computer skills including  ability to manage databases. 
 Languages:  
 
An excellent knowledge of Eng lish with demonstrated ability to write accurately, concisely and 
quickly.  Proficiency in either French or Span ish;  good knowledge of the other would be 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.   __________________________________________________________________________________ 
 
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. 
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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.