08-0331 OFFICE(08)/2 
22 January 2008 
 
WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION 
 
WTO  
 
Geneva  
 
Vacancy Notice No. 627  
 
 The Secretariat of the WTO is seeking to f ill the position of Head of WTO Reference Centre 
Programme in the Institute for Training and Technical Co-operation. Serving staf f members interested in 
this position are also invited to apply. The WTO is an Equal Opportunities Employer. 
 TITLE AND GRADE: Head of WTO Reference Centre Programme, Grade 8
1 
 
STARTING SALARY: Approximately Swiss francs 114,557 net p.a. 
 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 pens ion contributions and health 
insurance), dependency benefits, pension plan, health insurance 
scheme, separation grant and 30 da ys annual vacation. Benefits 
for internationally recruited st aff also include travel and 
removal expenses on appointment and separation, installation grant, education grant, rental subsidy and home leave. 
 TYPE OF APPOINTMENT: Fixed-term contract fo r two years, with possibility of extension. 
 
GENERAL FUNCTIONS: Under the supervision of the supervisor, the incumbent will 
perform the following duties: 
(a) Oversee the WTO Reference Centres as coordinator – 
plan, organize and coordinate the programme for the 
Reference Centres; 
 (b) In consultation with the supervisor, establish & upgrade 
WTO Reference Centres acco rding to the Technical 
Assistance and Training Plan; 
 
(c) Implement and deliver Technical Assistance activities to 
beneficiary WTO Members regarding WTO Reference Centres including the use of new technological facilities, overview of WTO agreements and WTO system as a whole – this implies frequent missions to WTO Member 
countries; 
 (d) Implement TRTA(Trade Related Technical Assistance) 
activities and programmes as necessary; 
                                                     
 
1 The post may be offered at a lower grade if the selected candidate does not fully meet all of the 
required qualifications. OFFICE(08)/2 
Page 2  
 
(e) Manage and improve the s ubstance and structure of 
WTO CD-ROMS and DVD Library facilities; 
 (f) Maintain contact and ensure follow-up with the WTO 
Reference Centres worldwide;  
 
(g) Any other tasks as required. 
 
REQUIRED  QUALIFICATIONS: Advanced university degree in Economics or Law, as well as a 
minimum of five years' relevant  practical experience required. 
Proven professional expertise, in particular in managing a sizable technical assistance programme, is an advantage.  
  User knowledge of statistical  methods, IT, WTO website and 
databases as well as a good command of WTO agreements and, 
policies is necessary. In-depth knowledge of WTO rules and procedures is an asset.  
 
Excellent organizational skills are necessary in order to manage a substantive programme that requires contact with 150 
Reference Centres around the globe. 
  LANGUAGES: Excellent knowledge of English or French, and a good 
knowledge of the other, sufficient to analyze complex written 
materials, and to lecture or make oral presentations, are 
required. 
 
APPLICATIONS:
2 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 application up with copies of qualifications, previous employment contracts, entire publications etc. 
                                                     
 
2 Only applications from nationals  of WTO Members will be accepted. 
107 OFFICE(08)/2 
Page 3 
 
 
  Candidates must  indicate clearly in section 15 of the 
application form the Vacancy Notice No. 627. 
  Applications will not be acknowledged.  Only applicants 
possessing the required qualifica tions will be taken into 
consideration.  Only the successf ul 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:  19 February 2008 
 
  No applications will be considered after this date. 
 The WTO is a non smoking environment.