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1. Scope and purpose of the
World Trade Organization (WTO) back to top
The WTO has as its
main function the administration of a number of multilateral trade agreements, the
objectives of which are to reduce existing trade barriers and to expand international
trade and economic development, growing emphasis being placed on trade as an essential
factor in the development of less-developed countries. Trade in goods, trade in services
and trade related intellectual property and investment, trade and environment questions,
trade in agricultural goods are some of the issues the Secretariat is dealing with. The
WTO conducts examinations of members' trade policies, and economic research in support of
its activities. It administers a dispute settlement mechanism for trade conflicts.
2. Advertisement
of vacant posts and applications back to top
Applications
are equally welcome from women and men; a person wishing to apply for a post
should be a national of a WTO member state and be under 65 years old. As the organization
is a relatively small one, the turnover of staff is accordingly limited. The vacancies
which do occur are the subject of open competition and advertised by means of vacancy
notices, the distribution of which is made to all of the official representatives of the
governments participating in the WTO and they are posted on this website. They are also
occasionally advertised in the press.
Applications
received after the application deadline will not be considered. Candidates whose
qualifications are less than those required, will also not be considered. Upon receipt,
applications for a specific vacancy are forwarded to the Division concerned for evaluation
and selection of candidates. Selected candidates may then be invited to Geneva
for an interview, which will normally be supplemented by a written test.
After
approval of the selection by the Director General, an offer of appointment is sent to the
selected candidate. The selection and appointment process can last several months.
3. Required
qualifications for professional posts back to top
The
organization is serviced by a small Secretariat, the professional staff of which consist
primarily of economists and lawyers specialized in international trade policy. A person
wishing to apply for such a position in the Secretariat should possess a post-graduate
university degree in economics, international relations or law, with an emphasis on trade
issues. The academic qualifications should be supplemented by at least five years of
experience with a national government or with an international organization or other
organizations or enterprises dealing with issues of trade policy and international trade
relations.
4. Official
languages back to top
English,
French and Spanish are the official languages, and staff are expected to be able to work
in at least two of these. Knowledge of French is also desirable as the language of the
Geneva area, which is the sole location of the WTO.
5. General
duties of professional staff back to top
For
the professional staff the general duties, in addition to any particular functions of an
advertised position, consist of preparation of reports, research and analysis, both
economic and legal, servicing of meetings, and working with delegations of member states.
Drafting skills are particularly important.
6. WTO Compensation Package back to top
Click
here for more details
7. Internships
and traineeships back to top
Click here for more details
8. Other
staff back to top
Occasional needs arise for expertise
in activities such as administration, information technology and translation
and professionals in these areas need to have an advanced degree in a
specialization, such as human resources management, information science,
translation, etc.
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