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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. 
__________________________________________________________________________________ 
 
Vacancy Notice No.:   EXT/F/11-10 Issued On:   10 March 2011 
 
Title:   Legal Affairs Officer Application Deadline:   7 April 2011 
 
Grade:   6 
 
Contract Type:   Fixed-term 
 Division:   Accessions 
(182) 
Starting Salary:   CHF 88,000 net per annum 
(approximate)  Duration:   One year, with the possibility to 
extend up to one additional 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 a po sition of Legal Affairs Officer in the Accessions 
Division.  Serving staff members interested in  the position are also invited to apply. 
 
 
General Functions  
 
Under the direct supervision of the Director of  the Division, the incumbent's duties will include: 
 1. Assisting with research and policy/legal an alysis of economic and trade-related issues 
concerning accessions. 
 
2. Assisting in the preparation of briefing not es and reports for WTO's Senior Management on 
accession-relevant issues and other tr ade-related subjects, as required. 
 3. Function as Secretary/Co-Secretary of  at least three Working Parties. 
 
4. Assist in the servicing of Working Party meetings, including the drafting of Chairperson's Notes, Working Party Reports, agendas, summary reports, preparation of Draft Protocols of Accessions and related Annexes (e.g . schedules and other documents). 
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  5. Helping Acceding Governments, in particular  the LDC Acceding Governments in developing 
their legislative and enforcement mechanisms to enable them to meet WTO requirements. 
 6. Strengthening the Division's capacity to pr ovide focused Technical Assistance to Acceding 
Governments in the accession process, e.g. the timely preparation of high quality documentation to be 
submitted to Working Parties. 
 7. Assisting in the organization and preparati on of Technical Assistance activities related to 
accessions, in close coordination with other Divisions.  
8. Maintaining the Divisional A ccessions Commitments Database. 
  
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS 
 
Education: 
 
A postgraduate degree in economic law and/or trade law and/or international relations is required. 
 
Knowledge: 
 Strong, proven writing skills, which demonstrate the ability to analyse, assess and communicate 
clearly;  the ability to work swiftly  and accurately under pressure of deadlines;  the strong ability to 
research and organize background material;  a sound understanding of legal and/or economic analysis 
and drafting;  the ability to review and preapre  briefs and reports on accession- and trade-related 
issues.  In addition, a good understanding of  the requirements of WTO accession and the 
commitments involved in WTO Agreements is requi red.  Good knowledge of WTO legal instruments 
and the Uruguay Round Multilateral and Plur ilateral Trade Agreements is essenial. 
 
Work Experience: 
 
A minimum of two years of track record of research and/or professional experience in the area of 
economic law, trade and accessions in academia, G overnmental Institutions and/or International 
Organisations.  
Languages: 
 Excellent knowledge of English is required, includ ing the ability to draft accurately, concisely and 
rapidly.  A good knowledge of at  least one of the other two WT O working languages (French and 
Spanish) would be an asset.   
Additional Information: 
 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 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.