OFFICE(05)/70 
         31 October 2005 
 
05-5051  
WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION 
 
WTO  
 
Geneva  
 
Vacancy Notice No. 551  
 
The Secretariat of the WTO is seeking to fill the position of Chief Statistician in the Ec onomic 
Research and Statistics Division.  The WTO is an Equal Opportunities Employer .  Serving staff 
members interested in this position are also invited to apply.  
TITLE AND GRADE: Chief Statistician – Grade 11 
STARTING SALARY: Approximately Swiss Francs 181,500 net p.a. 
OTHER CONDITIONS: In accordance with WTO Staff Regulations and Staff Rules and 
WTO Pension Plan Regulations. 
A package of expatriate benefits is available to staff recruited 
internationally. 
TYPE OF APPOINTMENT: Fixed-term contract for two years, with possibility of extension.  
GENERAL FUNCTIONS: Under the supervision of the Director of the Economic Research 
and Statistics Division, the incumbent will plan and implement the 
WTO statistical programme and manage the activities of the Statistics Group - a central statistical service for Members and the Secretariat.  The activities of the Statistics Group include:  
(a) the collection, processing and dissemination of trade, trade-
policy, and related statistical information for WTO Members and the Secretariat, WTO publications, and the WTO Website; 
 
(b) the development and operation of trade and trade policy 
statistical databases and analytical tools to support WTO Members and Secretariat, tariff negotiations and regular trade and policy work; 
 
(c) the provision of technical advice, support, and background 
information in the area of trad e and trade policy information 
to WTO Members, WTO Committees and negotiating groups;  
 
(d) the provision of technical assistance to support WTO 
Members in improving their capacity to compile and exploit trade policy information;
  
 (e) participation in statistical capacity-building activities on 
international trade in goods and services with other 
international organizations; 
 (f) the development and follow up of standard quality criteria 
across statistical programmes
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 In the area of international co-ope ration on statistical matters, the 
incumbent will: 
(a) represent the WTO at international statistical coordinating 
bodies and inter-agency task forces (e.g., the Task Force on Merchandise Trade Statistics,  chaired by WTO); 
  
(b) coordinate inter-agency work leading to the provision of 
market access indicators for the Millennium Development 
Goals;  
(c) improve availability, coverage , and coherence of trade and 
trade policy statistics compiled and collected at national and 
international level, through, in ter alia, collaboration and work 
sharing among international organizations. 
 
REQUIRED 
QUALIFICATIONS: An advanced university degree in the field of statistics, 
mathematics, economics or other re lated disciplines.   A minimum 
of fifteen years of experience in applied economic statistics at the national or international level. An in-depth knowledge of statistical 
concepts, definitions and classifications as defined in the System of 
National Accounts, the Balance of Payments Manual, and the 
Manual of Statistics on Internati onal Trade in Services. A  good 
background in economics, and a good knowledge and understanding of WTO, trade negotiations, and trade policy information. A demonstrated ability to manage and lead a team of 
international staff. 
The successful candidate will have excellent leadership, 
management and interpersonal sk ills.  She/he will be a dynamic 
individual with a clear vision of how to strengthen the WTO's statistical services, and effectivel y project the institution's role in 
this area to the outside world.  
LANGUAGES: Excellent knowledge of Eng lish, including the ability to write 
accurately, concisely and quickly , and to communicate in an 
articulate and persuasive manner.  A good knowledge of French or 
Spanish. OFFICE(05)/70 
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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 application up with copies of 
qualifications, previous employment contracts, entire publications, etc. 
 Candidates must  indicate clearly in section 15 of the application 
form the Vacancy Notice No. 551. 
 Applications will not be acknowledged.  Only applicants 
possessing the required qualifica tions will be taken into 
consideration.  Only the successful  candidate will be notified of the 
outcome of the competition. 
 Candidates are kindly requested to refrain from enquiring about the 
progress of their application. 
CLOSING DATE OF THIS 
VACANCY NOTICE: 19 December 2005 
No applications will be considered after this date. 
 
                                                           
 1 Only applications from nationals of WTO Members will be accepted. 
165