OFFICE(11)/32 
11-3218 
 
 
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/11-21 Issued On:   29 June 2011 
 
Title:   Economic Affairs Officer  Application Deadline (CET):   27 July 2011 
 
Grade:   6 
 Division:   Development 
(414) 
Contract Type:   Fixed-term 
 
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 a position of Economic Affairs Officer in the 
Development Division.  Serving staff members in terested in the position are also invited to 
apply. 
 
 General Functions  
 
Under the general direction of the Director a nd the supervision of a senior professional of the 
Division, the incumbent will provide research and anal ytical support to the Secretariat's work on trade 
and development issues.  Specific duties will include:  
 
1. Assisting with research and analysis of economic and trade-related issues concerning 
developing and least-developed countries;   2. Preparing and writing briefing notes and reports for WTO's senior management after 
reviewing important research and publications on tr ade and development issues, including those of 
other inter-governmental organiza tions and academic institutions; 
 3. Contributing to research related to the work  of the various Committees and Working Groups 
serviced by the Division, including regional integrat ion and preferential trading arrangements, special OFFICE(11)/32 
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  and differential treatment provisions in WTO Ag reements and negotiations, and the trade and 
development concerns of least-developed countries,  small and vulnerable economies and land-locked 
countries.  Other areas of research will include broader development topics such as Aid for Trade, 
trade and transfer of technology and trade and deve lopment issues as they pertain to Africa, Asia and 
Latin America and the Caribbean. 
 
 
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS 
 
Education: 
 
An advanced university degree in economics, pr eferably with a PhD in an area related to 
developmental issues in international trade.  
Knowledge: 
 
Ability to research and organize background research material; proven written skills which demonstrate ability to analyse, assess and communicate clearly;  ability to keep a tab on work being 
done on issues related to trade and development globa lly and ability to review and prepare briefs on 
these issues.  Work Experience: 
 
Two years of work experience on trade and developm ent issues, gained by working for a government, 
academic or research institution, or a non-govern mental or inter-governmental organization. 
 Languages: 
 
Excellent knowledge of English is required, including the ability to write clearly and concisely. A 
good knowledge of at least one of the other two WT O working languages (French and Spanish) would 
be an advantage.   Additional Information: 
 
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 on line as soon as possible after the vacancy has 
been posted and well before the clos ing date – Central European Time (CET) – stated in the vacancy 
announcement.  OFFICE(11)/32 
 Page 3 
 
 
   
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.