09-0611           OFFICE(09)/3 
          9 February 2009 
 
WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION  
 
WTO  
 
Geneva  
 
Vacancy Notice No. EXT/F/09-02   
 
 The Secretariat of WTO is seeking to fill the position of Contracts Officer for the Procurement 
Section in the Administration and General Services Di vision. Serving staff members interested in this 
position are also invited to apply. The WT O is an Equal Opportunities Employer. 
 TITLE AND GRADE: Contracts Officer, Procurement Section – Grade 7
1 
 STARTING SALARY: Approximately
 Swiss francs 93,300 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 contributions and health insurance), dependency benefits, pension plan, health insu rance scheme, separation grant and 
30 days annual vacation.  Benefits for internationally recruited staff 
may include travel and remova l expenses on appointment and 
separation, installation grant, educat ion grant, rental subsidy and home 
leave.  Additional information on the compensation package is 
provided on the WTO web site
. 
   TYPE OF APPOINTMENT: Fixed-term for two years with possibility of extension.  
GENERAL FUNCTIONS: Under the close supervision of the Chief, Procurement Section, the  
incumbent will: 
 
(a) support the planning, developmen t and management of different 
projects related to the procur ement of goods and services;  
 
(b)  assist in the administration of, or provide guidance to the 
requesting units in the administration of, goods/service contracts, needs identification, including preparation of tendering documents, evaluation of bids, ne gotiations, submissions to the 
Contracts Committee and managing contracts; 
 
(c)  assist in the analysis of complex and critical procurement 
proposals and determination and implementation of the 
appropriate strategy/approach to best serve Organization's 
interests, including reco mmendations for exceptions to established 
rules, practices and procedures, as necessary;  
                                                           
1 The post may be offered at a lower grade if the selected candidate does not fully meet all of the 
required qualifications.  OFFICE(09)/3 
Page 2 
 
 
 
(d)  participate in the implementation of the ongoing WTO 
procurement reform; develop proposals for amendment to 
procurement policie s and procedures; 
 (e)  assist in negotiations with senior executives of various commercial 
organizations for the purpose of  concluding major contracts; 
 
(f)  create, maintain and regula rly up-date the s upplier database; 
review the external market to identify new suppliers and evaluate the performance of suppliers; 
 (g)  implement training pr ogrammes for WTO staff; 
 
(h)  manage the property and accide nt insurance polic ies; supervise 
and follow up claims;  implement calls to tender for insurances in liaison with the insurance broker. 
 
QUALIFICATIONS  University degree in  Business Administration, Economics, 
International Commerce, Marketing,  Law, Engineering or in other 
related field with a relevant combin ation of academic qualifications and 
experience. Additional study or training in procurement or law would be an asset.  A minimum of three years of relevant experience. Experience in an international set ting would be an advantage. Strong 
theoretical background and substantiv e experience in contracting for 
services. Experience in handling complex contract issues.  
 LANGUAGES: An excellent know ledge of oral and writte n English and French is 
required.  
 
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  
CH-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. 
EXT/F/09-02 . 
                                                           
 2  Only applications from nationals of WTO Members will be accepted. 
377 OFFICE(09)/3 
Page 3  
 
 
 
Applications will not be acknowledged.  Only applicants possessing 
the required qualifications will be take n into consideration.  Only the 
successful candidates 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: 9 March 2009  
  No applications will be considered after this date. 
  The WTO is a non smoking environment.