OFFICE(12)/17 
12-1848 
 
 
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. 
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Vacancy Notice No.:   EXT/F/12-06 Issued On:   5 April 2012 
 
Title:   Senior Dispute Settlement Lawyer Application Deadline (CET):   3 May 2012 
 
Grade:   10 
 Division:   Appellate Body Secretariat 
(237) 
Contract Type:   Fixed-term 
 
Starting Salary:   CHF 161,900 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 po sition of Senior Dispute Settlement Lawyer in 
the Appellate Body Secretariat.  Serving staff me mbers interested in the position are also invited 
to apply. 
 
 General Functions  
 
Under the supervision of the Director of the Appellate  Body Secretariat, the in cumbent is expected to 
undertake the following accountabilities:  
1. Serve as team leader in complex disputes and supervise the work of other lawyers and support 
staff.  Deliver legal advice and assistance to adjudicators ensuring consistency with WTO law and 
jurisprudence while taking into account systemic implications.   2. Direct the work of team members including support staff and interns, in conducting legal and 
technical research and analysis in the context of disputes, ensure coherence in the provision of legal 
advice to adjudicators; direct the preparation of  legal opinions, ensuring consistency with precedent 
and bearing in mind systemic concerns as appropriate.  OFFICE(12)/17 
Page 2  
 
  3. May deliver advice and assistance to other WTO Divisions, the Director-General, Appellate 
Body Members and WTO Members as appropriate, on legal issues and precedents.   4. Deliver technical assistance and training on the WTO agreements and dispute settlement 
procedures and make presentations in high-level academic conferences and other settings.  Oversee 
the development of training material. 
  
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS 
 
Education: 
 
An advanced university degree in law including  studies in international trade law and public 
international law is required.  Studies in inte rnational economics is an advantage.  Licence or 
eligibility to be licensed to practice law in at l east one municipal jurisdiction is an advantage.  
 
Knowledge and Skills: 
 
A profound knowledge and appreciati on of international legal and economic principles and issues and 
adjudicative process and practice, including relating to WTO jurisprudence.   
Expert legal, analytical and problem-solving skills ;  expert legal drafting and skills and ability to 
provide constructive feedback on others' drafts;  presentation of thoughts in a logical, succinct, 
articulate and persuasive manner, both orally and in written form.  
 The incumbent should have the capability to: act as an effective leader of a team that works under 
severe time pressure and resource constraints and th at must produce a coherent and well-structured 
group work product;  effectively direct and guide th e work of teams and team members in carrying 
out assignments by providing constructive feed-back and advice;  develop and maintain relationships 
and forge consensus with colleagu es, adjudicators and others both inside and outside the WTO, 
including representatives of Members;  persuade th rough sound argumentation a nd advice;  adhere to 
and seek to ensure adherence by team members and adjudicators to set rules of conduct ensuring 
confidentiality, impartiality and an absence of conflicts  of interest;  and apply tact and discretion.  
 
Work Experience: 
 
At least ten years’ relevant working experience as a lawyer in trade law, preferably with a mixture of 
private/public/academic sector work;  experience in leading teams and managing others.  
 
Languages: 
 
Excellent command of written and spoken English;  a good working knowledge of either French or 
Spanish is an advantage. 
 
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(12)/17
 Page 3 
 
 
  __________________________________________________________________________________ 
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 date - Cent ral European Time (CET) - stated in the vacancy 
announcement. 
 
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.