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WT/BFA/W/595  
 
4 July 2022 
(22-5167) Page: 1/3 
Committee on Budget, Finance and Administration    
 
WTO SECRETARIAT TRANSFORMATION EXERCISE  
AS OF 1 JULY  2022 
FOR CBFA MEETING ON 15 JULY 2022 
 
PHASE 1: Launch key initiatives and capture quick wins  
 
➢ Reinforce Secretariat talent management practices  
➢ Strengthen Secretariat ways of working to optimize efficiency and impact  
➢ Leverage the opportunities of data, technology and innovation to secure long term 
relevance  
 
FIRST WAVE  
 
• Talent management  
• Ways of working  
 
1. Establish reward schemes (outside promotion) for Secretariat staff  
 
a. Non-monetary rewards for staff : 
Changes to be made : Launching new or redesigned non -monetary rewards to 
recognize teamwork, innovation, and excellence in manage ment 
 
Status : Full cycle of testing and refinement completed, including a review by the 
Steering Committee; plans for implementation being  developed  
 
b. Awarding annual performance bonuses for staff : 
Changes to be made : Redesigning the annual performance -related bonus (without 
increasing the amount allocated in the budget) by splitting into two categories:  
i. Outstanding performers, to receive a somewhat higher bonus  
ii. Very strong performers  
 
Status : Full cycle of testing and refinement completed, including a review by the 
Steering Committee; plans for implementation being  developed  
 
c. Building a stronger culture of ongoing "recognition and praise" within the 
Secretariat : 
Changes to be made : Designing and im plementing training for supervisors, 
managers, and staff; highlighting good practices and role models  
 
Status : Full cycle of testing and refinement completed, including a review by the 
Steering Committee; plans for implementation being  developed  
  WT/BFA/W/595  
 
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  2. Improve key internal Secretariat systems  
 
a. Risk management : 
Changes to be made : 
i. Development and implementation of a comprehe nsive and tailored 
Secretariat -wide risk taxonomy  
ii. Development of an overarching risk management process with clearly 
defined responsibilities  
iii. Strengthen risk awareness and the recognition reporting and managing of 
risk across the Secretariat  
iv. Fill the risk officer position (currently vacant)  
 
Status : Full cycle of testing and refinement completed, including a review by the 
Steering Committee; plans for implementation being  developed  
 
b. Procurement : 
Changes to be made : 
i. Updating monetary thresholds for procurement process es involving low -
value procurement , taking account of inflation and of best practices among 
peer international organizations  
ii. Strengthening capabilities and culture across the Secretariat by requiring 
more training about use of the procurement process  
iii. Standardizing internal processes  
iv. Increasing use of digital tools to boost efficiency and transparency  
 
Status : Full cycle of testing and refinement completed, including a partial review of 
proposals by the Steering Committee; plans for implementation being  developed  
 
 
SECOND WAVE  
 
• Talent management  
• Ways of working  
 
 
Secretariat staff career pathways, mobility, recruitment, and promotions   
 
a. Career Pathways : 
Changes to be made : Move from a rigid system of a single vertical progression track 
to a more dynamic architecture of career pathways enabling more flexibility and 
opportunities for development. Introduce a split into Expert and Manager tracks at 
more senior grades. Begin to lay the groundwork for the eventual development and 
introduction of job families as a subsequent step  
 
Status : Full cycle of testing and refinement completed, including a review by the 
Steering Committee; plans for implementation being  developed  
 
b. Recruitment : 
Changes to be made : Introduce several measures to make the recruitment process 
faster , more efficient,  more candidate -centric and more capable of contributing to a 
diverse and inclusive Secretariat , including more advance planning  
 
Status : Full cycle of testing and refinement completed, including a review by the 
Steering Committee; plans for implementation being  developed  
 
c. Mobility : 
Changes to be made : Implement formal mechanisms as well as communications, 
training and assistance to  encourage  more internal and external mobility , as well as 
a positive perception of mobility  
 
Status : Full cycle of testing and refinement completed, including a review by the 
Steering Committee; plans for implementation being  developed  WT/BFA/W/595  
 
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  d. Promotions : 
Changes to be made : Various measures approved that aim to make the promotions 
process more consistent and transparent . Further analysis requested on how the 
promotions  backlog that has led to high levels of staff frustration might be addressed  
 
Status : Full cycle of testing and refinement completed, including a review by the 
Steering Committee; plans for implementation being  developed  
 
 
THIRD WAVE  
 
• Data, technology and innovation  
 
This work began the week of 30 May 2022  and aims to develop  a roadmap to leverage the 
opportunities related to data, technology and innovation , and to secure  the long-term relevance of 
the Secretariat  through initiatives focusing on:  
• Developing a roadmap for the digital transformation of the Se cretariat  
• Creating mechanisms to increase external collaboration and partnerships  
• Strengthening the culture of innovation in the Secretariat . 
 
The Steering Committee will consider proposals in late July .  
 
PHASE 2: Set the strategic direction and foundational structure  
 
➢ Define Secretariat values, vision and strategic direction  
➢ Optimize Secretariat organizational structure to make it fit for purpose  
➢ Continue implementing Phase 1  
 
In addition, work may be launched in parallel on other areas e.g., putting in place a possible Planning 
& Strategy Unit or a possible Regional & Country Support Unit based in the Secretariat in Geneva .  
 
The timing of the next phase of work has not yet been defined.  
 
 
Note: Approv ed proposals will proceed to implementation in accordance with existing rules, 
regulations, and procedures.  
 
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