OFFICE(11)/20 
11-1648 
 
 
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/11-14 Issued On:   1 April 2011 
 
Title:   Editorial Assistant Application Deadline:   29 April 2011 
 
Grade:   6 
 
Contract Type:   Fixed-term 
 Division:   Information and External Relations
(265) 
Starting Salary:   CHF 88,000 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 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 the position of Editorial Assistant in the 
Information and External Relations Division.  Se rving staff members interested in the position 
are also invited to apply. 
 
 General Functions  
 
The main role of the Editorial Assistant is to assi st the Editorial Manager in developing the editorial 
content of WTO publications and in improving the presentation of our publishing output.  He/she will 
be required to work closely with colleagues across the WTO as well as with external design agencies, 
printers and co-publishing partners.  The incumb ent will be carry out the following functions: 
 1. Coordinating the preparation of the WTO A nnual Report.  This includes liaising with WTO 
contributors, conducting research, acting as the main c ontact point with the external editor and design 
agency, sourcing photos, reviewing proofs and ensuring that the project remains on schedule. 
 
2. Coordinating the preparation of the WTO's flagship publication, the World Trade Report.  This includes developing writing guidelines, draf ting a production timetable, liaising with the 
Economic Research and Statistics Division, acting as th e main contact point with the external design 
agency, conducting picture research, proof read ing the text and reviewing page layouts. OFFICE(11)/20 
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3. Assisting in the development of new publi cations, such as a Teaching Kit for Students;  
assisting with the editing and prepar ation of other WTO publications. 
 4. Overseeing the production of co-publications  with commercial partners, such as Cambridge 
University Press.  This includes preparing manuscr ipts in line with co-publisher requirements, 
responding to editorial queries, liaising with the relevant WTO divisions, reviewing proofs, 
consolidating corrections and prov iding final approval for print. 
 5. Liaising with freelance editors regarding othe r projects where external assistance is required; 
liaising with internal and external printers to en sure that publications are printed on time and to the 
necessary standard.  6. Overseeing responses to reproduction/copyright requests.  
7. Reviewing and rewriting, when required, WTO entries in external publications, such as The 
Statesman's Yearbook.  8. Overseeing the preparation of French and Spanish versions of WTO publications.  This 
includes liaising with in-house translators, proposin g design solutions, ensuring compatibility with the 
English version and providing final approval for print. 
 
 
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS 
 
Education: 
 
In addition to a first university degree, theoreti cal knowledge and/or pr oven professional expertise 
equivalent to an advanced university degree level, with specialisation in English, modern languages, 
publishing or a relevant area of studies is required.  
Knowledge: 
 
Advanced knowledge of editorial and production pro cesses within the publishing industry;  advanced 
drafting and editorial skills, with the ability to adapt to  the needs of the particular publication or target 
audience;  good understanding of the work of the WTO and trade issues in general.  
Ability to efficiently plan and manage multiple pr ojects according to sched ule;  adaptability and 
flexibility in responding to changing requiremen ts;  creativity in proposing new solutions.  
 
Work Experience: 
 
At least two years’ experience in publishing and editorial work is required.  
 
Languages: 
 
An excellent knowledge of English (mother tongue level) and a very good knowledge of French are 
required.  Proficiency in Spanish would be an asset. 
 
Additional Information: 
 
Only applications from nationals of WTO Members will be accepted.   OFFICE(11)/20 
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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.