OFFICE(09)/37 
09-2375 
 
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. 
__________________________________________________________________________________ 
 Vacancy Notice No.: EXT/F/09-13    Issued on:   14 May 2009 
 Title:      Applications Support Assistant   Application deadline:  12 June 2009  
 
Grade:  5     D i v i s i o n :   Informatics 
(612) 
Contract type:  Fixed-term    
 
Starting Salary: CHF 75,000 net per annum  Duration:   Two years with the  
(approximate)    possibility of extension 
 
Other  
  In accordance with WTO Staff Regulations and Staff Rules and WTO Pension Plan 
Conditions:  Regulations.  
 The World Trade Organization offers an attractive 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 vacation.  Benefits for internationally recruited 
staff may include travel and removal e xpenses 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 th e position of Applications Support Assistant in 
the Informatics Division.  Serving staff members in terested in this position are also invited to 
apply. 
 
 
General Functions  
 
Under the general guidance and s upervision of the Office Technologies and Training Officer, the 
incumbent will be assigned the following duties: 
 1. Provide expert assistance and advice to WTO users across all Divisions, for use of the standard WTO software, using troubleshooting skil ls, remote access tools or moving to the users 
workplace.  Analyse and resolve complex issues re lating to the usage of the Organization's Office 
technology software, hardware and the preparation of WTO official documentation, publications and 
Web material.  Recover corrupted  data and operate the CDROM,  DVD and Scanner machines and 
specialized software.  2. Provide custom-tailored training on the Organi zation's standard office software and working 
methodology to new WTO users (one-to-one courses) in at least two of the Organization's official 
languages. 
 OFFICE(09)/37 
Page 2  
 
3. Assist in the analysis, installation and ev aluation of new software and hardware products 
(PCs, printers, scanners, etc.) and provide recommendations. 
 4. Help with the prepare and updating of appr opriate technical documentation for users on 
Standard WTO applications. 
 
5. Contact and consult technical support groups, user groups and forums (through direct contact, 
the Internet, BBSs, etc.) to solve problems, repor t or investigate bugs, browse the FAQs, download 
files, white papers and conduct research on special projects.  
6. Act as backup of the HelpDesk operator:  Respond to requests for support calls on the 
telephone and email and record them in the Help Desk  Application.  Determine level of priority and 
criticality before dispatching to the appropriate gro ups.  Perform the tasks of librarian to the three 
complete collection of software, s upport and development CD ROM library. 
 
7. Participate in the preparation of Training  material (for courses material and electronic 
guidelines and documentation for the Intranet, etc.).   Also participate in some automation work. 
Consult with technical groups to solve problems, do wnload system files, patches, utilities and obtain 
knowledge articles for problem solving.  
 
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS 
 
Education:  
 
A completed secondary education and/or specializ ed technical qualification in informatics. 
 Proficient in Level 2 support of PC operating sy stems, word processing, spreadsheet, database, 
graphical packages (e.g. Windows XP and Vista, MS Office Suite 2007, Adobe Suites, etc.), Internet 
technologies and other applications, tools and utilities. 
 
Knowledge:  
 
The person must have:  (i)  Proven experience in PC  software troubleshooting, one-to-one instruction, 
customization and testing;  (ii)  good organizational skills, availability and motivation;  (iii)  ability to 
work under pressure, with little supervision, to undert ake research in solving pr oblems and to work as 
part of a team;  (iv)  professional and tactful contacts with WTO PC users and external persons.  
Particularly, strong knowledge of the interaction of operating systems and application software in the 
areas of file management, data recovery.  
Work Experience: 
 
At least five years of relevant practical experience. 
 
Languages:  
 
Excellent knowledge of English or French (draf ting, spelling skills) and good knowledge of the other 
language. 
 
Additional Information:  
The position may be offered at a lower grade if the selected candidate does not fully meet the required 
qualifications.  OFFICE(09)/37 
Page 3 
 
 
Only applications from nationals of WTO Members will be accepted.   __________________________________________________________________________________ 
 
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 .