OFFICE(09)/67 
09-6201 
 
 
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. 
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Vacancy Notice No.:   EXT/F/09-27  Issued on:   3 December 2009  
Title:   Secretary  Application deadline:   8 January 2010  
Grade:   3 
Contract type:   Fixed-term  Division:   Intellectual Property 
(604)  
Starting Salary:   CHF 62,800 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 attractive compensation package including 
an annual net salary (subject to mandatory deductions for pensi on 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 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 the position of Secretary to work in the area of 
government procurement and competition policy in the Intellectual Property Division.  Serving staff members interested in the posi tion are also invited to apply. 
  
General Functions  
 
Under the overall supervision of the team leader  for government procurement and competition policy, 
the incumbent will carry out the following main functions: 
 
1. Primary responsibility for providing secretarial support services to the divisional unit that 
handles government procurement and (to the exte nt that work arises) competition policy. 
 2. Assistance with the handling of modifications and rectifications to government procurement 
schedules, including maintenance of relevant division al databases and the public  Loose-Leaf database 
on the WTO website (which constitutes the official legal record). 
 3. Providing general administrative assistance services, under the supervision of the Division's 
Administrative Assistant. OFFICE(09)/67 
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  4. Main provider of secretarial services to the t eam leader for government procurement and 
competition policy, assist in providing secretarial services to the Director and assisting, when 
necessary, with the Division's work in the area of intellectual property. 
 Regarding the third function menti oned above, under the supervision of  the Administrative Assistant, 
the incumbent is required to perform a range of tasks as follows: 
 - Assisting the Administrative Assistant in tasks such as making travel arrangements, keeping 
records of leave and other absences, arrangements for new staff members/interns.  
- Assisting in the organization and distribution to  staff members of incoming tasks and helping 
keep track of follow-up, including maintenance of list of outstanding tasks;  to ensure proper 
distribution of other documents/information within the Division.  - Assisting in the planning, preparation, c onvening and servicing of formal and informal 
meetings of primarily the Committee on Governme nt Procurement, but also (when necessary) the 
Council for Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS).  - Providing secretarial support to the division's professionals in the arrangement of technical 
cooperation activities, especially in the areas of government procurement and competition policy. 
 
- Receiving telephone calls and vi sitors; handling routine enquiries or referring them to 
appropriate persons;  helping to maintain the Director's diary and scheduling appointments. 
 - Organizing and maintaining the Division's files and records (particularly in the areas of 
government procurement and competition policy), incl uding liaising with the Central Repository Unit. 
 
- Other administrative and secretarial duties as required. 
  
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS 
 
Education:  
 
Completion of secondary school and secretarial or commercial school equivalent;  specialized training 
in the secretarial field or proven secretarial expertise.  Knowledge:  
 
Understanding of administrative and secretarial pro cesses.  Excellent knowledge of applicable word 
processing and other software packages and secretar ial support techniques.  Capability to acquire 
specialized knowledge of procedures for maintain ing the WTO government procurement schedules.  
Strong sense of responsibility and organization;  readiness to seek guidance and accept detailed 
supervision as understanding is gained of specific ad ministrative procedures for which the position is 
responsible.  Ability to cooperate with other colleagues in a diverse international setting. 
 
Work Experience: 
 At least two years of relevant experience and a proven record in a specialized secretarial role. 
 OFFICE(09)/67 
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  Languages:  
 
Excellent knowledge of English.  Good knowledge of French is also required and fluency would be an 
advantage.  Knowledge in the third worki ng language (Spanish) is also desirable. 
 Additional Information: 
 
The post may be offered at a lower grade if the selected candidate does not fully meet all of the 
required qualifications.  
Only applications from nationals of WTO Members will be accepted. 
 
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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 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.