08-5164             OFFICE(08)/64 
24 October 2008 
  
WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION  
 
WTO
 
 
Geneva  
 
Vacancy Notice No. 639  
 
 
 The Secretariat of the WTO is seeking to fill the position of Director of the Intellectual Property  Division.  Serving staff members interested in this position are also invited to apply.  The WTO is an 
Equal Opportunities Employer. 
 
TITLE AND GRADE: Director – Grade 11  STARTING SALARY: Approximately Swiss francs 193,700 net p.a. 
 
OTHER CONDITIONS: In accordance with WTO 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 pension contribut ions 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 subs idy and home leave. Additional 
information on the compensation package is provided on the WTO 
website . 
 TYPE OF APPOINTMENT: Fixed-term for two years, with possibility of extension.  
GENERAL FUNCTIONS: The incumbent will lead the Intellectual Property Division which is 
responsible for all matters relating to intellectual property, including the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights.  The Division is also responsible for work on government procurement, including the plurilateral Agreement on 
this subject, as well as for any activities on the general question of 
trade and competition policy.  Specific responsibilities include: 
 
    (a) leading and supervising the work of the team in the Intellectual 
Property Division of the Secretar iat, establishing and ensuring 
the effective implementation of  the work programme of the 
Division, setting priorities and ensuring quality control; 
     (b) overseeing the work of the Division in respect of the operation 
of bodies responsible for the im plementation and surveillance 
of the Agreements within the Division's competence; 
 
(c) assisting the conduct of negot iations in the areas of the 
Division's competence, including through advice to the Chairs OFFICE(08)/64 
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of the negotiating bodies and to senior management and 
support to delegations; 
 (d) overseeing and c ontributing to the Division's technical 
cooperation and capacity-building ac tivities with regard to all 
matters under the Di vision's purview; 
 (e) coordinating the Division's work  with that of other Divisions, 
including providing substantive contributions to the work of other Divisions; 
 
(f) overseeing the work of staff of the Division involved in 
assisting the servicing of dispute settlement panels and arbitrations in areas of the Division's competence; 
 
(g) liaison with relevant international organisations, NGOs, private 
sector entities, including speaking engagements. 
 
 REQUIRED  An advanced uni versity degree in law, ec onomics or other relevant 
QUALIFICATIONS  area and a minimum of fifteen years of relevant experience,  
including  substantial work experience in an international 
environment.  Excellent knowledge of the WTO system and of legal 
and economic issues in the areas w ithin the Division's competence 
as well as of multilateral negoti ating processes.  Intellectual 
flexibility, good technical and po litical judgement, and strong 
communication and diplomatic skills .  Proven ability to manage 
effectively the work of a multicultural team of staff in a diverse international setting. 
 LANGUAGES:  Excellent know ledge of English, including an ability to write 
accurately, precisely and quickly.   A good working knowledge of 
French and/or Spanish would be a distinct advantage. 
 
APPLICATIONS:
1 Please use the online application form which may be downloaded 
from the WTO website – www.wto.org  - under "vacancies".  If 
you are unable to download the application form, please send an e-
mail or fax to the Human Resources Division requesting the form.  
A completed form may also be submitted to the following address: 
 Director 
Human Resources Division WTO 
Centre William Rappard 
154, rue de Lausanne 1211 Geneva 21 Switzerland 
 E-mail:  humanresources@wto.org
           Fax::  +41-22-739 5772 
 Please do not send your application via multiple routes.  It is not 
necessary to follow your app lication up with copies of 
                                                           
1 Only applications from nationals  of WTO Members will be accepted. 
31 OFFICE(08)/64 
Page 3 
 
 
qualifications, previous employment contracts, entire publications, etc. 
 Candidates must  indicate clearly in section 15 of the application 
form the Vacancy Notice No. 639. 
 
 Applications will not be acknowledged.  Only applicants 
possessing the required qualifications will be taken into consideration.  Only the successfu l candidate will be notified of 
the outcome of the competition. 
 Candidates are kindly requested to refrain from enquiring about 
progress of their application. 
 
CLOSING DATE OF THIS VACANCY NOTICE: 21 November 2008 
No applications will be considered after this date. 
The WTO is non-smoking environment.