08-3671         O F F I C E ( 0 8 ) / 5 0  
                1 August 2008 
   
WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION  
 
WTO
 
 
Geneva  
 
Vacancy Notice No. 638  
 
 
The Secretariat of the WTO is seeking to fill the pos ition of Economic Affairs Officer in the Agriculture 
and Commodities Division.  Serving staff members intere sted in this position are also invited to apply. 
The WTO is an Equal Opportunities Employer.  TITLE AND GRADE: Economic Affairs Officer – Grade 8
1 
 
STARTING SALARY: Approximately  Swiss francs 116,562 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 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 subsidy and home l eave. 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: Under the ov erall supervision of the Dire ctor of the Agriculture and 
Commodities Division and under the guidance and direct supervision 
of other senior staff members the incumbent will service the Committee on Agriculture both in its regular an d special sessions and carry out 
related tasks.  The tasks, which require a very good understanding of 
the WTO disciplines under the Agre ement on Agriculture including the 
issues within the scope of agricult ure negotiations of the Doha Round, 
include: 
 
(a) preparation, conduct and follow-up of meetings of the 
Committee on Agriculture in its review and monitoring of Member's implementation of co mmitments and disciplines: the 
tasks, inter alia , include drafting of agendas and other relevant 
                                                           
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)/50 
Page 2  
 
 
 documents, Chairperson's notes, summary reports and various 
studies and Secretariat notes; 
 
(b) advice and assistance to Me mber governments in their 
preparation and circulation of va rious agriculture notifications: 
this, inter alia , involves assisting them in understanding the rules 
under the Agreement on Agriculture , explanation of calculation 
methodologies for domestic suppo rt, safeguard measures and 
export subsidies etc.; 
 (c) technical support for the ongoing negotiations on agriculture: 
preparation, conduct and follow-up of formal and informal Special Sessions, drafting of analyt ical papers, and other tasks as 
required; advice and assistance to Members, after establishment 
of modalities, in th e preparation of schedules and supporting 
documents for new Doha round agriculture commitments; 
 (d) provision of technical assistance to Members in the context of 
the implementation of existing commitments, the ongoing 
negotiations on agriculture a nd new Doha round agriculture 
commitments after conclusion of negotiations, carrying out 
training courses, seminars a nd workshops on implementation 
and negotiations, etc.;  
 (e) contributing to and working with other relevant Di visions within 
the WTO (Accession Division, Tr ade Policy Review Division, 
Development Divisions etc.): for example in coordination with the Accession Division, advice  and technical assistance to 
acceding countries in the prepar ation of agriculture supporting 
documents and establishment of scheduled agriculture 
commitments; 
 (f) maintain contacts with other international organizations, non-
governmental organizations, Me mber governments including 
representation of the WTO at  meetings of those bodies 
(International Grains Council, Food Aid Convention, FAO etc.); 
 (g) responding to ad hoc  requests, from both within and outside the 
organization, for technical inform ation, studies and analysis on 
matters related to the WTO Agreement on Agriculture; and 
 
(h) provision of support to WTO dis pute resolution panels, including 
organizational tasks. 
 REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS: In addition to  a basic university degree, th eoretical knowledge and/or 
proven professional expertise equivalent to an advanced university 
degree in economics, agricultural economics, international law or another discipline which will enab le the incumbent to carry out 
effectively the tasks described abov e. A minimum of five years of 
experience, at the national or international level, in dealing with trade-related policy issues, part icularly in the area of agriculture and food OFFICE(08)/50 
Page 3  
 
 
236 products. Good presentation skills. Ability to work as part of a team in 
a multicultural environment.   
 
LANGUAGES: Excellent English,  including a demonstrated ability to write speedily, 
accurately, concisely and clearl y. Good knowledge of additional 
working language(s) would be an advantage. 
 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. 
 
Candidates must  indicate clearly in section 15 of the application form 
the Vacancy Notice No. 638.  Applications will not be acknowledged.  Only applicants possessing 
the required qualifications will be take n into consideration.  Only the 
successful 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:  1 September 2008  
  No applications will be considered after this date.      The WTO is a non smoking environment. 
 
                                                           
2 Only applications from nationals  of WTO Members will be accepted.