Trade Policy Analyst (2 positions)

VN Category (INT / EXT / EOI):

Job Category:

This is an external vacancy notice open to external candidates and WTO staff. It is posted on the WTO internal as well as external career site. Eligible WTO staff on short-term, fixed-term or regular contracts and interns must apply through the Workday internal career site.

This is a Fixed-term contract funded through the regular budget. The duration will be two years with the possibility of extension, unless specified in the vacancy notice.

The WTO seeks to attract and retain staff members offering the highest standards of competence, efficiency and integrity and to build an organization that is representative of the Members and People it serves. As an equal opportunity and inclusive employer, the WTO gives full regard to competence and welcome applications from qualified candidates irrespective of age, disability status, gender, nationality, race, religion, sexual orientation, social origin or any other characteristic. Applications from non-represented Members (link) are particularly encouraged for all positions.

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The Secretariat of the WTO is seeking to fill two Trade Policy Analyst positions in the Market Access Division.

The Market Access Division handles matters related to WTO schedules of concessions and their modification, tariff negotiations, duty-free treatment for information technology products, quantitative restrictions, rules of origin, customs valuation, pre-shipment inspection, import licensing procedures and trade facilitation. The Division supports the Council for Trade in Goods (CTG), which oversees the work of all subsidiary WTO bodies handling trade in goods and six bodies dealing with specific Agreements. It also conducts research and assists other divisions whenever expertise on these topics is sought, for instance in the context of dispute settlement cases and of technical assistance requests. In conducting several of these activities, the Division collaborates with other institutions, such as the World Customs Organization, the World Bank, the OECD, UNCTAD and the IMF.

GENERAL FUNCTIONS

Under the overall supervision of the Director, and reporting to senior members of the Division, the incumbents are expected to contribute to several aspects of the work of the Market Access Division and perform the following duties:

Conduct and contribute to research and analyses of legal and economic issues related to WTO Agreements and practices of WTO Members in the subject areas covered by the Division; Draft and contribute to drafting WTO official documents, in particular background notes, convening notices, minutes, notifications and other documents prepared for the WTO bodies serviced by the Division; Help organize the meetings of the Council for Trade in Goods and/ the various Committees that the Division supports (prepare documents, take notes, liaise with delegations, provide support for on-line meetings, etc.); Prepare and deliver techcnial assistance and capacity building activities and contribute to the preparation of training materials in the subject areas covered by the Division; Contribute to outreach activities related to the Division's work, including through supporting or participating in the organization of seminars, workshops or conferences; Provide information to delegations, external stakeholders and senior management in the subject areas covered by the Division; Undertake other tasks as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

Advanced university degree in economics, law, international relations or another relevant field.

Knowledge and skills:

Technical Knowledge and Skills:

• Knowledge of WTO rules, including an understanding of the main economic and legal principles of the WTO and their practical implications.
• Knowledge about the Agreements under the ambit of the Market Access Division is also desirable. These Agreements include:         
  • the Agreement on Import Licensing Procedures;
  • the Trade Facilitation Agreement;
  • the Customs Valuation Agreement;
  • the Pre-shipment Inspection Agreement;
  • the Rules of Origin Agreement;
  • the provisions of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) of 1994 related to Schedules of Concessions, tariffs, and quantitative restrictions; and
  • the Information Technology Agreement.
• Excellent drafting skills, including the ability to draft a broad range of outputs, such as technical reports, information and briefing notes, speeches and talking points.

Behavioural Skills:

• Strong planning and organizational skills, including the ability to work swiftly and accurately on different files in order to meet strict deadlines, while paying close attention to details;
• Collaborative mindset and with a demonstrated ability to work as a team member, while working independently to achieve individual and team objectives;
• Ability to communicate information clearly to a broad range of specialist and generalist audiences;
• Ability to initiate and nurture relationships with a diverse range of individuals.

Organizational Competencies

Core Competencies:

• Communicating for Results
• Effective Collaboration
• Cultivating Progressive Growth
• Professional Accountability
• Relevant Digital Proficiency
• Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Work experience:

Minimum 2 years relevant professional experience.

Relevant experience working with government officials or working for a Government would be an asset. Experience in delivering training activities would also be an advantage.

Languages:

Excellent knowledge of English, including a demonstrated ability to communicate accurately, concisely, and clearly, both orally and in writing.

Additional Information:
 
Only applications from nationals of WTO Members will be accepted. 

The recruitment process will be undertaken as per Administrative Memorandum No. 976 (OFFICE(16)/15) on Staff Promotions and external recruitment through Vacancy Notices.

The initial fixed-term contract for positions up to grade 10 shall normally be two years, which shall be probationary, as per Administrative Memorandum No. 997 (OFFICE(23)/4) on Probation Policy. For Director positions, the Policy on evaluation of directors apply as per Administrative Memorandum No. 978 (OFFICE(17)/29).

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. 

Applicants may be required to sit a written examination. 

Applicants will be contacted directly if selected for an interview. 

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 24 months, and may subsequently be called upon as and when the need arises for additional resources.

All applicants are encouraged to apply online as soon as possible after the vacancy has been posted and well before the closing date – Geneva (Switzerland) time – stated in the vacancy announcement. 

PLEASE NOTE THAT APPLICATIONS RECEIVED AFTER THE CLOSING DATE WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. 

The WTO is a non-smoking environment.