OFFICE(10)/60 
10-5326 
 
 
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/L/10-33 Issued On:   15 October 2010 
 
Title:   Economic Affairs Officer Application Deadline:   12 November 2010 
 
Grade:   8 
 
Contract Type:   Fixed-term 
 Division:   Agriculture and Commodities 
(LS05) 
Starting Salary:   CHF 118,600 net per annum 
(approximate)  Duration:   One year.  The contract may be 
renewed subject to the fully satisfactory performance of the incumbent and the 
continued availability of funds. 
 
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 to assist in technical cooperation and capacity-building 
work, in particular with regard to the administ ration of the Standards and Trade Development 
Facility (STDF). This is a special contract positi on of limited duration.  Serving staff members 
interested in the position are also invited to apply. 
 
 
General Functions  
 
Under the overall guidance of the Director of the Agriculture and Commodities Division and the supervision of the Secretary of the STD F, the incumbent will be required to: 
 1. Provide assistance in the administration of the STDF, including with regard to contracting, 
accounting and financial tasks. OFFICE(10)/60 
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  2. Lead STDF work related to the coordinati on of technical cooperation activities in the SPS 
area.  In carrying out this function, the incumbent will be expected to cooperate closely with inter-
governmental organizations, donors, beneficiaries an d other relevant mechanisms, notably Aid for 
Trade and the Enhanced Integrated Framework.  Specific tasks will be related to designing and 
commissioning research, and organizing global- and regional-level events, on specific thematic topics 
relevant to the STDF. 
 3. Update sections of the STDF website a nd disseminate information, experiences and good 
practices that emerge from STDF or other donor activities.  
4. Guide the development of and review appli cations for STDF projects and project preparation 
grants (PPGs), and provide oversight of project and PPG implementation as required. 
 5. Prepare reports, memos, and briefing mate rials on the STDF for senior management, STDF 
partners, donors and benefici aries, and/or public use. 
 
6. Participate in national, regional and multila teral workshops, seminars  or symposia with 
particular focus on the difficulties facing devel oping countries in the implementation of the 
Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS Agreement). 
 7. Where germane to implementation of the STDF, assist in the servicing of meetings of the SPS 
Committee. 
  
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS 
 
Education: 
 
In addition to a basic university degree, theore tical knowledge and/or proven professional expertise 
equivalent to an advanced unive rsity degree in economics, law, business administration or a related 
field.  Knowledge: 
 
Excellent knowledge and understanding of the pr oblems faced by developing countries in the 
implementation of the SPS Agreement and in meet ing the SPS requirements of importing countries. 
Understanding of the functi oning of the WTO.  Good organiza tional and presentational skills.  Ability 
to work independently, under tight deadlines, and to  cooperate with others in a diverse multicultural 
environment.  Ability to exercise tact and discretion and to maintain confidentiality.  
Work Experience: 
 
A minimum of five years of experience relate d to the implementation of the SPS Agreement, 
including experience in the administration and management of SPS-related technical cooperation 
projects in developing countries.  
Languages: 
 Excellent knowledge of English, in cluding the ability to draft accurate ly, concisely and rapidly and to 
make effective presentations.  Th e candidate should also possess working knowledge of either French 
or Spanish, sufficient to make effective presenta tions.  Working knowledge of a third WTO language 
is considered an asset.  OFFICE(10)/60 
 Page 3 
 
 
  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 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.