02-2107OFFICE(02)/52
16 April 2002
WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION
WTO
Geneva
Vacancy Notice No.L17/02
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 pursuant to the
Doha Development Agenda.  This is a special contract position of limited duration and is subject to a fast-
track recruitment procedure as defined below.  A pplications from men and women are equally welcome.
TITLE AND GRADE: Economic Affairs Officer – Grade 81
STARTING SALARY: Approximately Swiss francs 97,300 net p.a.
OTHER CONDITIONS: In accordance with WTO Staff Regulations and Staff Rules and WTO
Pension Plan Regulations as applicable to fixed-term contracts for
functions of limited duration.
A package of expatriate benefits is available to staff recruited
internationally.
DATE OF ENTRY ON DUTY: The successful candidate will be expected to take up his/her duties by the
end of June 2002 at the latest.
TYPE OF APPOINTMENT: Fixed-term for one year.  Th e contract may be renewed subject to the fully
satisfactory performance of the incumbent and the continuing availability
of funds.
GENERAL FUNCTIONS: This post is related to the WTO's technical assistance and capacity-
building activities with respect to the Agreement on the Application of
Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS Agreement) and the
Agreement on Agriculture.  Under the general supervision of seniorofficers of the Division, the incumbent will be required to:
(a) organize and participate in national, regional and multilateral
workshops, seminars, symposia and other training courses, with
particular focus on the difficulties facing developing countries inthe implementation of these Agreements;
(b) prepare training materials, for use in these training events and for
more general use, regarding the SPS and Agriculture Agreements
and the agricultural negotiations, and their implications, as well asthe 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-governmental organizations ac tive in this field, eg., FAO, the
Codex Alimentarius Commission, the IPPC and the OIE.
                                                          
1The position may be offered at a lower grade if the selected candidate does not fully meet all the required qualifications.OFFICE(02)/52
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(c) support the other work of the Division so as to release other officers
to increase their technical assistance and capacity-building
activities.  This may include assist ing in the servicing of meetings
of the SPS Committee and the Committee on Agriculture.
REQUIRED An advanced university degree in economics, law or a related field,
QUALIFICATIONS: including relevant studies in international law, economics or agricultural
economics, or equivalent proven professional knowledge and expertise.
A minimum of five years' practical experience related to the fields of
food safety, plant and animal health protection, or trade in agricultural
products.  Clear understanding of the functioning of the WTO.  Good
knowledge and understanding of the problems faced by developing
countries in the implementation of WTO rules.  Knowledge of the basicprinciples and relevant methodologies for risk analysis would be
desirable.
Excellent presentational skills and experience, including the ability to
explain complex technical issues to audiences from various cultural andprofessional backgrounds.  Ability to work independently, under tight
deadlines, and to coordinate work and cooperate with others in a diverse
international setting.  Ability to write accurately, concisely and rapidly
in English.
LANGUAGES: Excellent knowledge of English a nd of French or Spanish, including the
ability to make presentations in at least two of these languages.
APPLICATIONS:
 2The WTO is employing a fast-track process to fill the above post.  The
following special conditions therefore apply in this case and must be
strictly observed.
a) Only  applications submitted on the WTO application form
available from the WTO website ( www.wto.org/vacancies ) will be
accepted.
b) Candidates must  indicate clearly in section 15 of the application
form the vacancy notice for which they are applying.
c) If a candidate is applying for more than one vacancy in this series,
a separate application form must  be used for each vacancy.
d) Candidates are kindly requested to refrain from enquiring about
progress of their application.
e) Completed forms should be submitted to the following address:
Director, Administ ration and General Services Division
(Human Resources Section)
WTO
Centre William Rappard
154, Rue de LausanneCH-1211 Geneva 21
Switzerland
                                                          
          2Only applications from nationals of WTO Members will be accepted.OFFICE(02)/52
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e-mail: recruitment@wto.org
Important: please take care to specify L17/02 in the subject box.
Applications will not be acknowledged. Only applicants possessing the
required qualifications will be taken into consideration.  Only successful
candidates will be notified of the outcome of the competition.
CLOSING DATE OF THIS
VACANCY NOTICE: 3 May 2002