OFFICE(11)/27 
11-2438 
 
 
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/11-18 Issued On:   12 May 2011 
 
Title:   Economic Affairs Officer Application Deadline:   9 June 2011 
 
Grade:   6 
 
Contract Type:   Fixed-term 
 Division:   Agriculture and Commodities 
(65) 
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 
Agriculture and Commodities Division.  Serving staff members interested in the position are 
also invited to apply. 
  
General Functions  
 
Under the general direction of the Director and th e supervision of senior staff of the Division, the 
incumbent will be involved in work related to the Agreement on Agriculture, in particular the 
servicing of the Committee on Agriculture in its regu lar sessions and related tasks.  Specific duties 
will include:  
 1. Assisting with the preparation of documents,  summary reports, agendas, Chairperson's notes, 
various studies and Secretariat notes related to th e work of the Committee on Agriculture (regular 
meetings) and the review and monitoring of Members' implementation of commitments and 
disciplines.  Assisting with the development a nd maintenance of the Agriculture databases. 
 
2. Assisting Member governments in their prepar ation and circulation of various agriculture 
notifications:  this involves, among other things , assisting them in understanding the rules under the 
Agreement on Agriculture, explanation of calcula tion methodologies for domestic support, safeguard 
measures and export subsidies, etc. OFFICE(11)/27 
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3. Assisting in the preparation of training mate rials and delivery of technical assistance activities 
(workshops, seminars and training cour ses) related to the Agreement on Agriculture, and in particular 
Members' notification obligations.  
4. Maintaining contacts with other internati onal organizations, non-govern mental organizations 
and Member governments, as well as preparing WTO inputs for meetings of those bodies 
(International Grains Council, Food Aid Convention, FAO etc).  5. Responding to ad hoc requests, from both within and outside the organization, for technical 
information, studies and analysis on matters rela ted to the WTO Agreement on Agriculture; and for 
information about matters related to the work of the Division and the WTO.   6. Undertaking other tasks that may be assigned by the Director of the Division, including provision of support to the Doha Development Age nda negotiations, the Committee on Sanitary and 
Phytosanitary Measures, and WT O dispute resolution panels. 
 
 
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS 
 
Education: 
 
An advanced university degree or equivalent in economics, agricultural economics, law or related 
field with a specialization in international trade is required.  
Knowledge: 
 
Proven written skills which demonstrate ability to an alyse, assess and communicate clearly;  ability to 
research and organize background material;  ability  to review and prepare briefs on relevant 
agricultural trade issues.  Knowledge of trade-rela ted policy issues in the area of agriculture and food 
products would be useful.  Good presentation skills .  Ability to use word processing, PowerPoint, 
Excel and similar software.  Ability to work as pa rt of a team in a multicultural environment. 
 
Work Experience: 
 
Two years of work experience on trade (preferably ag ricultural trade) issues, gained by working for a 
government, academic or research institution, or  a non-governmental 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. 
  OFFICE(11)/27 
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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. 
 
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.