OFFICE(11)/2 
11-0236 
 
 
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/L/11-03  Issued On:   14 January 2011 
 
Title:   Economic Affairs Officer Application Deadline:   11 February 2011 
 
Grade:   7 
 
Contract Type:   Fixed-term 
 Division:   Agriculture and Commodities 
(L017) 
Starting Salary:   CHF 94,400 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 
activities with respect to the Agreement on Agri culture, the Agreement on the Application of 
Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS Agreem ent), and the agriculture negotiations.  This 
is a special contract position of limited durat ion.  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 direct supervision of senior officers of the Division, the incumbent will be required to:  
1. Organize and coordinate the training activities of  the Division, in liaison with other divisions 
of the WTO and with other relevant international organizations, so as to most effectively address the 
Division's responsibilities in this regard, including dr afting of reports and maintenance of a database 
on the Division's technical assistance activities.  OFFICE(11)/2 
Page 2  
 
  2. Assist colleagues to prepare and participat e in national, regional and multilateral workshops, 
seminars, symposia and other training courses, with particular focus on the difficulties facing developing countries in the implementation of these Agreements.  3.         With the assistance of senior colleagu es, prepare training materials, for use in these training 
events and for more general use, regarding the Ag riculture and SPS Agreements and the agricultural 
negotiations, and their implications, as well as the relevant provisions of other WTO agreements 
including the WTO dispute resolution procedures.  In carrying out these functions, the incumbent will 
be expected to cooperate with other inter-gove rnmental organizations active in this field. 
 
4. Provide support, as requested, for the wo rk of the Regular Committee on Agriculture, 
Agriculture Special Session meetings, and the SPS Committee.  5. Support the other work of the Division, as requ ested, so as to release other officers to increase 
their technical assistance and capacity-building activities. 
 
 
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS 
 
Education: 
 In addition to a basic university degree, theore tical knowledge and/or proven professional expertise 
equivalent to an advanced university degree in economics, agricultural economics, law or a related 
field.  
Knowledge: 
 
Clear understanding of the functioning of the WTO.   Knowledge and unders tanding of the problems 
faced by developing countries in the implementation of the Agriculture and SPS Agreements.  Good 
organization and presentation skills, including the ab ility to explain complex technical issues to 
audiences from various cultural and professional back grounds.  Ability to work independently, under 
tight deadlines, and to coordinate work and co operate with others in a diverse multicultural 
environment.  Ability to exercise tact and discretion and to maintain confidentiality. 
 
Work Experience: 
 
A minimum of three years of practical experience rela ted to the field of agricultural trade, including at 
least one year of practical experience in the prep aration and delivery of training and presentations. 
 
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(11)/2 
 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.