OFFICE(05)/36 
 12 May 2005 
 
 
05-1937 WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION 
 
WTO  
 
Geneva  
 
Vacancy Notice No. 542  
  
The Secretariat of the WTO is seeking to fill a position of Secretary in the Administration and 
General Services Division.  Applications from men and women are equally welcome.  Serving staff 
members interested in this position are also invited to apply. 
 
TITLE AND GRADE: Secretary – Grade 5
1 
STARTING SALARY: Approximately Swiss Francs 72,860 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 for tw o years with possibility of extension. 
GENERAL FUNCTIONS: Under the supervision of  Chief of the Infrastructure Section, the 
incumbent will be assigned the following duties: 
 (a) to perform the full range of  secretarial duties for the Chief 
of Section:  monitor administrative matters of priority to the supervisor;  to develop, manage the implementation of 
and improve as necessary, office procedures under the 
supervision of the Chief of Section;  to receive and register mail and distribute it within the Section;  to maintain the Section staff presence/absence records; 
 (b) to channel administrative and personnel problems of staff 
members to the supervisor and/or staff specialists; 
 (c) to draft administrative correspondence in at least one 
language and revise documents  written by other staff 
members;  to pre-edit official documents;  to audio type 
and type in two languages;  to create, copy, pre-edit and 
revise documents, often involving highly technical and specialized terminology, in all of the areas covered by the Infrastructure Section; 
 (d) to assist in the planning and preparation of meetings;  to 
coordinate and monitor document reproduction in liaison with non-WTO participants; 
 (e) to create, evaluate and improve filing systems;  to maintain 
databases, prepare special briefing files, file documents and keep files up to date; 
                                                           
 1 The position may be offered at a lower grade if the selected candidate does not fully meet all the required 
qualifications. OFFICE(05)/36 
Page 2  
 (f) to screen and schedule request s for access to the supervisor 
according to their nature and urgency; 
 (g) to handle contacts with architects, contractors, and the 
responsible local authorities, with the international organizations, and with the Swiss authorities; 
 (h) to keep abreast of any inn ovations in the area of IT tools 
and other office automation packages and procedures;  to 
provide guidance and instructions on document processing 
standards and administrative procedures; 
  Tasks relating to the Section's budget/finances
 
(i) to enter the Infrastructure Section's accounting 
transactions into the computer system; 
(j) to maintain the database so th at the Chief of Section can at 
any time scrutinize the proposed expenditures and the 
financial results to determine the availability of funds;  to assist the Chief of Section in drawing up the annual budget 
and conducting budget reviews; 
 (k) to maintain contact with various internal and external 
sources for additional informa tion and group together the 
budget estimates of the units;  to check and consolidate;  to keep abreast of expenditures for which the Section is responsible and calculat e, where appropriate, 
supplementary provisions for follow up by the Chief of Section; 
(l) at the request of the supervisor, to monitor the financial 
evolution of the funds for the new building in order to be able to advise the Finance Section on the management of 
the related bank account. 
REQUIRED 
QUALIFICATIONS: (a) Completed secondary education and specialized secretarial 
training;  knowledge of shorth and would be an advantage; 
 (b) experience as a secretarial assistant, proficiency in  
working with figures and accounting; ability to work autonomously, displaying the necessary initiative, 
discretion/confidentiality, flexibility and tact; 
 (c) at least five years' experience in secretarial work.  
Thorough knowledge of text processing methods (Word) 
and spreadsheets (Excel). 
LANGUAGES: Excellent knowledge of French (drafting, spelling);  good 
knowledge of English OFFICE(05)/36 
Page 3 
 
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. 542 
 Applications will not be ac knowledged.  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 
progress of their application. 
CLOSING DATE OF THIS 
VACANCY NOTICE: 7 July 2005 
No applications will be considered after this date. 
 
                                                           
 2 Only applications from nationals of WTO Members will be accepted. 
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