Economic Affairs Officer

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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 seeks to fill the position of Economic Affairs Officer in the Agriculture and Commodities Division (AGCD).

AGCD handles all matters related to the ongoing negotiations on agriculture. The division provides support for implementation of WTO rules and commitments on agriculture, including WTO Ministerial Decisions. The division also handles work related to the trade and development aspects of cotton. The work of the division covers implementation of the Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS Agreement), supporting the work of the SPS Committee and providing technical assistance and input for disputes on SPS-related issues. The division houses the Secretariat of the Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF), a global partnership to facilitate safe trade. The STDF acts as a knowledge network and provides funding to help developing countries strengthen their SPS capacity to promote market access. Other activities of AGCD include on matters related to commodities, services for dispute settlement, and technical assistance.

General Functions

Under the overall supervision of the Director of AGCD and the guidance and direct supervision of the Secretary of the Committee on Agriculture (CoA), the incumbent will support the work of the Committee on Agriculture and carry out related tasks. The incumbent will also assist the Secretariat team responsible for supporting the agriculture negotiations, as necessary.

The tasks, which require a strong understanding of WTO disciplines under the Agreement on Agriculture (AoA) and the work of the Committee on Agriculture, include:

1. Assisting Members in preparing and circulating agriculture notifications to ensure completeness and accuracy. This includes helping Members understand the rules under the Agreement on Agriculture, explaining calculation methodologies, verifying submitted information against Members' legal commitments under the AoA, checking the consistency of calculations, and following up with notifying Members for any necessary modifications or clarifications.

2. Maintaining the Agriculture Information Management System Home Page - Agriculture Information Management System (the portal hosting CoA meeting agendas, the complete record of CoA deliberations since 1995, the online agriculture notification system, and the database on notified information), monitoring incoming notifications, and making recommendations for and coordinating improvements to the database.

3. Assisting in servicing formal and informal CoA meetings, including drafting agenda documents, summary reports, and Chairperson’s notes. Preparing background documents and datasets on notified or other statistical information for the CoA or negotiations, as requested.

4. Supporting Members in understanding their notification obligations under the AoA, preparing presentations based on agriculture notifications, and assisting in the development and delivery of training materials and workshops on AoA implementation, particularly regarding notification requirements.

5. Maintaining contact with international organizations, non-governmental organizations, and Member governments, as well as preparing inputs for meetings of relevant bodies (e.g., International Grains Council, FAO, Food Assistance Convention etc.).

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

An advanced university degree in agriculture, economics, international trade, or a related discipline, is required.

A first-level university degree combined with relevant additional professional experience equivalent to an advanced university degree, may be accepted.

Knowledge and Skills

Technical skills:

• Strong grasp of the WTO system and trade-related policy issues concerning agricultural and food products.
• Solid knowledge of the Agreement on Agriculture and familiarity with the work and role of the Committee on Agriculture.
• Strong technical and analytical skills, particularly in data processing.
• Excellent drafting skills (e.g., correspondence with Members, meeting records, background papers, statistical notes).

Behavioural skills:

• Tact, diplomacy, and ability to engage effectively with delegations and intergovernmental organizations.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Ability to work independently while fostering collaboration in a multicultural team environment.

Organizational Competencies

Core Competencies:

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

Work Experience

At least two years of relevant experience, preferably in international trade issues related to agriculture, food security matters and the implementation of the Agreement on Agriculture, is required.

Experience in international organizations or a government ministry or mission is desired.

Languages

Fluency in English is required.

Working knowledge of French and/or Spanish would be an asset.

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.