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12-3129 
 
 
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/12-09 Issued On:   15 June 2012 
 
Title:   Dispute Settlement Lawyer Application Deadline (CET):   16 July 2012 
 
Grade:   8 
 Division:   Rules 
(652) 
Contract Type:   Fixed-term 
 
Starting Salary:   CHF 114,500 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 Dispute Settlement Lawyer in the 
Rules Division.  The Rules Division is responsi ble for all matters relating to the following WTO 
Agreements: Anti-Dumping Agreement; Subsid ies and Countervailing Measures Agreement; 
Safeguards Agreement; Agreement on Trade- Related Investment Measures (TRIMS 
Agreement); Working Party on State Trading Enterprises; and the Agreement on Civil 
Aircraft.  The position requires a Committee S ecretary function in addition to the dispute 
settlement function - key accountabilities theref ore include delivering substantive technical 
advice pertaining to the area of work of the WTO body (Committees).  Serving staff members 
interested in the position are also invited to apply. 
  
General Functions  
 
1. Deliver substantive technical and legal advice and assistance to adjudicators and other 
lawyers and may from time to time serve as team leader in less complex disputes. 
 
2. Conduct or direct research on complex substantive technical and legal issues, prepare or guide 
the preparation of analyses of substantive technical  issues in context of the work of WTO bodies and 
difficult legal issues in the context of disputes, a nd prepare or direct the preparation of substantive OFFICE(12)/24 
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  analyses or legal opinions on complex and/or novel issues arising in the course of adjudication or the 
work of WTO bodies.   3. Deliver substantive technical, policy as well as le gal advice and assistance to chairpersons of 
WTO bodies and negotiating groups, other WTO Divi sions, the Director-General and WTO Members 
as appropriate, generally under the supe rvision of more senior colleagues. 
 4. Deliver technical assistance and training on the substance and im plementation of WTO 
agreements and dispute settlement practices and pr ocedures and make presentations in academic 
conferences and other settings.  Contribute to the development of training material. 
 
 
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS 
 
Education: 
 
Advanced university degree in law including studies in  international trade law and public international 
law.  Studies in international economics are an adva ntage;  licence or eligibility to be licensed to 
practice law in at least one municipal jurisdiction is an advantage.  
Knowledge and Skills: 
 
Thorough knowledge and appreciation of legal a nd economic principles and issues relating to WTO 
Agreements within the purview of Divisions, adj udicative process and practice, including relating to 
WTO jurisprudence.  
Excellent legal, analytical and problem-solving skills ;  legal drafting skills of a very high standard;  
presentation of thoughts in a logical, succinct, artic ulate and persuasive manner, both orally and in 
written form.  Ability to conduct advanced legal research as well as analyze and synthesize often highly technical 
and complex information of a legal, factual a nd/or economic nature while working under tight 
deadlines;  to effectively supervise a dispute settle ment team working under tight deadlines, manage 
aspects of the dispute settlement process including time management as well as prioritization of tasks 
of a team;  and to revise drafts to refl ect various views in a coherent manner. 
 The following interpersonal capabilities are required: to act as a co-operative and effective member of 
a team that works under severe time pressure an d resource constraints and that must produce a 
coherent group product;  to effectively direct the work of a team and guide team members in carrying 
out assignments by providing constructive feedb ack and advice;  to develop and maintain 
relationships and forge consensus with colleagues, adjudicators and others both inside and outside the 
WTO, including representatives of Members;  to pe rsuade through sound argu mentation and advice;  
to adhere to and ensure adherence by team members and adjudicators to set rules of conduct, ensuring 
confidentiality, impartiality and an absence of conflicts  of interest;  and to apply tact and discretion. 
 
Work Experience: 
 
At least five years' relevant working experience as a lawyer, preferably with a mixture of 
private/public/academic sector work.  Experi ence in supervising others in teams.  
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  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. 
 
__________________________________________________________________________________ 
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.