OFFICE(11)/17 
11-1256 
 
 
The recruitment policy of the WTO shall be 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/11-11 Issued on:   11 March 2011 
 
Title:   Buyer Application deadline:   8 April 2011 
 
Grade:   5 
 
Contract type:   Fixed-term 
 Division:   Administration and General 
Services  
(274) 
Starting Salary:   CHF 75,000 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 the po sition of Buyer in the Procurement Section of 
the Administration and General Services Division .  Serving staff members interested in the 
position are also invited to apply. 
  
General Functions  
 
Working closely with other members of the Procurem ent Section, under the gene ral supervision of the 
Chief of Section and the guidance of the Contracts Officer, and on the basis of the Financial Rules, 
the Procurement Policy, and the manual of pr ocedures and other rules applicable to WTO 
procurement, the incumbent will be required to:  1. Advise requesting units on procurem ent methodology and process planning. 
2. Perform routine procurement tasks:  check requests from different WTO Divisions;  confirm 
budgetary estimates;  source suppliers;  call for an d receive bids/proposals;  conduct comparative 
analysis of and select products/services in accord ance with criteria relating to quality, price and the 
length of time required to deliver goo ds or complete services contracts. OFFICE(11)/17 
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  3. Manage suppliers:  update the s upplier database on a regular basis; monitor the market with a 
view to identifying new suppliers ; evaluate supplier performance. 
4. Prepare purchase orders:  using Oracle, prepare purchase orders taking into account relevant 
budgetary codes and cost centres; follow up orders pl aced with suppliers and ensure that contract 
deadlines are met. 
5. Invitations to bid/requests for proposals:  participate in the preparation of local and 
international invitations to bid/requests for proposal s while ensuring that the financial regulations are 
applied.  Such invitations to bid/requests for propo sals cover a wide variety of fields relating to the 
routine activities of the Secretariat, many of wh ich involve the procurement of IT equipment and 
services, and activities under the WTO single site project;  participate in the preparation of 
submissions to the Contracts Committee;  participat e in the preparation/negotiation of contracts and 
framework agreements. 
6. Perform tasks relating to the recycling or  disposal of obsolete WTO equipment. 
7. Help to update statistics. 
 
 
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS 
 
Education: 
 
Completion of secondary school and/or equivalent t echnical or commercial studies in procurement;  
specialized training or proven expertise in a discip line relevant to the requirements of the position. 
 
Knowledge: 
 
Proficiency in MS Word, Excel, Outlook and Powe rPoint;  proficiency in Oracle or another 
procurement system;  specific knowledge of the pr ocurement of IT equipment and services;  good 
drafting skills.  
Work Experience: 
 
A minimum of five years' experience as a buyer, tw o of which have preferably been spent working in 
the field of procurement in an international organization. 
 
Languages: 
 
Excellent knowledge of French and English. 
 
Additional Information: 
 
The position may be offered at a lower grade if th e selected candidate does not fully meet all the 
required qualifications.  
Only applications from nationals of WTO Members will be accepted. 
  OFFICE(11)/17 
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  __________________________________________________________________________________ 
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 closing da te 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.