Economic Affairs Officer

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 a Project Post Position for an Economic Affairs Officer in the Trade in Services and Investment Division.  This vacancy relates to the work of the division on technical assistance and capacity building and on its collaboration with other international organizations on the contribution of trade in services to development. 

This is a fixed-term Project post position. The duration of the contract is two years, with possibility of extension for one additional year maximum.

The Trade in Services and Investment Division is responsible for all aspects of WTO work in the areas of trade in services and investment.  In these areas, the Division supports Services committees, facilitates and assists in negotiations, monitors policy developments, assists in implementation of the GATS, conducts research, maintains and develops databases, provides technical assistance and expert advice to Members, liaises and cooperates closely with other international and regional organizations, and supports dispute settlement panels.

Since 2024 the WTO Secretariat has stepped up work and support to assist developing countries in leveraging trade in services for development.  To support this effort, the WTO Secretariat and other international organization partners will develop and implement technical assistance and capacity building in the area of trade in services, which will include the exchange information on best practices amongst developing countries.  Through this effort, the WTO Secretariat and international organization partners will also develop an online platform to provide access to assistance and capacity building tools, share information on the assistance provided, and promote coherence and improved institutional coordination in scaling up services-related activities.

General functions and responsibilities

Under the supervision of a senior official from the Division, the incumbent will have the following functions and responsibilities:

1.         Develop and maintain an online platform that will provide information on the joint program of assistance to developing countries on services, and to share information and promote coherence in global efforts on capacity building and technical assistance on trade in services.  This includes: working with IT and web specialists in designing and structuring the platform; and working with WTO Secretariat staff, the World Bank and other international organizations and Development Banks to populate the platform.

2.         Work on the organization of a conference, as well as on follow up.  This entails working on the programme of the conference as well as on logistical aspects with different divisions within the WTO Secretariat, liaising and coordinating with participants, the World Bank, other international organizations and development banks, Members and other stakeholders.

3.         Conduct analysis and provide research assistance on issues relating to the development and economic impacts of services trade in developing countries.  Provide inputs and substantive analysis on other aspects of the joint programme, as appropriate.

4.         Assist senior colleagues in developing and preparing activities and tools for technical assistance and capacity building on trade in services trade, in coordination with other international organizations. 

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

Advanced university degree in economics, international relations or other relevant fields, is required, preferably with a focus on services trade or on trade and development.

Knowledge and Skills:

Technical skills

• Good understanding of trade in services and related policies, in particular its development impact and relevance for developing countries.
• Knowledge and understanding of trade and development issues, including challenges faced by developing countries.
• Very good analytical and research skills, with demonstrated application to trade in services.
• Excellent drafting skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.). 
• Experience working with or designing online platforms is an asset.

Behavioural skills:

• Good organizational skills, including ability to organize own work/time effectively, prioritize and manage multiple assignments subject to strict deadlines, and work under pressure.
• Intellectual curiosity and investigative spirit to develop knowledge on a diverse range of subjects relevant to services trade and development within a short period of time.
• Ability to relate to and build sound relationships with colleagues, and work within teams.
• Ability to communicate information/views in a clear and concise manner and to comprehend information/views communicated by others.
• Strong sense of responsibility and accountability.
• Ability to exercise initiative and judgement within established guidelines.

Organizational Competencies

Core Competencies:

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

Work Experience:

A minimum of two years of relevant professional experience on trade and/or development issues is required. 

Languages:

Excellent command of English, both oral and written, as well as of either French or Spanish, is required.

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.