Economic Affairs Officer, Geneva

• Organization: WTO - World Trade Organization
• Country: Switzerland
• City: Geneva
• Office: WTO Geneva
• Follow @UNjobs Follow @UNjobs_Geneva

World Trade Organization | Centre William Rappard | Rue de Lausanne 154, Geneva | Tel: +41 (0)22 739 51 11 | Fax: +41 (0)22 731 42 06

Closing date: Monday, 29 August 2016

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The recruitment policy of the WTO is to seek to attract and retain staff members offering the highest standards of competence, efficiency and integrity.
As an Equal Opportunities Employer, the WTO gives full regard to merit and diversity.
Vacancy Notice No.: EXT/L/16-53
Title: Economic Affairs Officer
Grade: 6
Contract Type: L Post
Starting Salary: CHF 83,548 net per annum (approximate) net per annum (approximate)
Issued On: 1 August 2016
Application Deadline (CET): 29 August 2016
Division: Agriculture & Commodities
Duration: One year, with the possibility of extension based on performance, divisional needs and 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 attractive 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
Other Conditions
In accordance with WTO Staff Regulations and Staff Rules and WTO Pension Plan Regulations.
The World Trade Organization offers an attractive 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.
General Functions
Under the general supervision of the Director of the Agriculture and Commodities Division, the incumbent will assist with all work relating to the Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS Agreement). This includes the servicing of dispute settlement panels considering SPS-related cases, assisting with the management of the in-house SPS database and notification submission system, delivering training on the SPS (and other) Agreements, and servicing the Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures. The incumbent will carry out related tasks under the guidance and direct supervision of senior staff members.
The tasks include, inter alia

• Provide analysis and information on SPS related matters to dispute settlement panels considering SPS-related cases, and assist with the identification and consultation of scientific and technical experts, drafting of questions for the parties and scientific experts, and preparation of relevant background notes and drafting and other input for the panel's reports.
• Assist with the management, maintenance and improvement of in-house databases by providing inputs to projects to modernize the SPS Information Management System (IMS) and Notification Submission System (NSS), ensuring the information contained in the SPS IMS is up-to-date, preparing data and analyses to include in documents and reports, and providing training on the use of the SPS IMS and NSS.
• Assist in preparing training materials for and deliver technical assistance on the SPS Agreement and on the SPS IMS and NSS, on the relationship between the SPS Agreement and the Agreements on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) and Trade Facilitation, as well as the relevant provisions of other WTO agreements including the WTO dispute resolution procedures and rulings in SPS-related dispute cases. In carrying out these functions, the incumbent will be expected to cooperate with other divisions in the WTO as well as with inter-governmental organizations active in this field.
• Provide support, as requested, for the work of the SPS Committee, including the preparation of documents and reports. The incumbent will also be expected to assist with other work related to the SPS Committee, for example the preparation of documents and organization of informal meetings or thematic sessions on issues such as transparency, food standards, etc.
• Support the other work of the Division, including the representation of the WTO at meetings of other international or regional bodies, advice and assistance to delegates, outreach to academia and the private sector, responses to queries, etc.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education

• An advanced university degree in economics, agricultural economics, law or a closely related topic, preferably with specialization in international trade, or a basic university combined with relevant professional experience and proven expertise equivalent to an advanced university degree.

Knowledge and skills

• Good knowledge and understanding of the WTO system. Good knowledge of the SPS Agreement, including of issues related to its implementation and of the relevant jurisprudence. Good knowledge of the TBT Agreement, in particular its relationship to the SPS Agreement, and of the linkages between the SPS and Trade Facilitation Agreements. Good knowledge more generally in the area of agriculture, food safety, standards and regulations.
• A demonstrated ability to write accurately, concisely and clearly in English.
• Excellent analytical and presentation skills.
• The ability to communicate complex information in a clear way and to understand information, as well as the ability to present technical facts to a wide variety of audiences.
• Organizational skills and analytical skills are required, as well as tact and discretion in undertaking the job.
• Ability to use word processing, PowerPoint, Excel and similar software.
• Ability to relate to and build relationships with colleagues, and work as part of a team in a multicultural environment, relating to others, while working independently to achieve his/her objectives.

Work Experience

• Two years of relevant experience on trade-related policy and health issues, in particular issues related to the implementation of the SPS Agreement and the relevant legal interpretations.
• Experience in the servicing of dispute settlement panels would be an asset, as would experience preparing and undertaking technical assistance activities.

Languages

• Excellent English language skills.
• Knowledge of French and/or Spanish would be an asset.

Additional Information
Only applications from nationals of WTO Members will be accepted.
The WTO may use various communication technologies such as video or teleconference for the assessment and evaluation of candidates. The recruitment process may also involve the use of various forms of testing, assessment centres, interviews and reference checks.
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Candidates not selected whose performance in the selection process nevertheless shows them to be suitable for a similar position may be kept on a roster for up to 12 months and may subsequently be called upon as and when the need arises for additional resources.
Please note that all candidates must complete an online application form.
To apply, please visit the WTO's E-Recruitment website at: erecruitment.wto.org. The system provides instructions for online application procedures.
All applicants are encouraged to apply online as soon as possible after the vacancy has been posted and well before the closing date - Central European Time (CET) - stated in the vacancy announcement.
PLEASE NOTE THAT APPLICATIONS RECEIVED AFTER THE CLOSING DATE WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED
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