Implementation 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 is seeking to fill a position of  Implementation Officer of the Fisheries Funding Mechanism Trust Fund, known as the WTO Fish Fund.

The Fish Fund is a new WTO trust fund established to support developing and least developed (LDC) WTO Members to implement the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies. The Fish Fund is housed in the WTO and has as its core partners the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the World Bank, and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).  

This is a post funded through extra-budgetary funds. The contract is renewed on a yearly basis subject to satisfactory performance of the incumbent and the continued availability of funds.

We strongly encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply, particularly from LDCs and developing countries.

General Functions

Under the supervision of the Manager of the WTO Fish Fund and with administrative oversight of the Director of the Rules Division, the Implementation Officer will be required to:

Assist with developing and reviewing funding requests and grant applications for the Fish Fund, advising applicants on submission requirements and providing feedback on received applications. The role also involves supporting the creation of terms of reference for activities and contracts, as well as reviewing the institutional arrangements of those involved in grant requests.

Review technical assistance requests and prepare reports for the Steering Committee and Technical Subcommittee of the Fish Fund. This includes detailing implementation arrangements, evaluating the institutional capacity of organizations, and reviewing work plans, budgets, and logframes.

Deliver technical assistance and training on Fish Fund-related support measures for implementing the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies and coordinate activities with core partners of the Fish Fund, including the FAO, IFAD, and the World Bank, as well as other development organizations. Participate in national, regional, and multilateral workshops, seminars, or other events related to implementing the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies.

Cooperate with WTO Members contributing to the Fish Fund, Members applying for funding, and other stakeholders involved in fisheries management, to facilitate project counterparts and project contracting.

Contribute to the formulation and development of institutional materials for the Fish Fund, including for advocacy and outreach.

Contribute to implementing the Secretariat's work plan and support the execution of approved grant activities. Prepare reports, memos, and briefings for senior management. Produce the publication plan for grant-related information on the Fish Fund website.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

An advanced university degree in economics, law, business administration, agriculture/veterinary/food science or other relevant field, or a basic university degree and proven professional knowledge and expertise equivalent to an advanced university degree in the aforementioned domain(s).

Knowledge and Skills:

Technical knowledge and skills:

• Very good understanding of the WTO and the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies.

• Very good analytical and writing skills, including the ability to produce materials and products communicating sometimes complex information to a wide variety of audiences.

• Very good organizational skills and recordkeeping.

• Very good understanding of Monitoring and Evaluation aspects of project implementation.

• Ability to work under tight deadlines and to handle multiple tasks simultaneously.

Behavioural skills:

• Ability to communicate information clearly and succinctly.

• Ability to present technical facts to different types of audiences, ranging from generalists to technical experts.

• Ability to work independently and as a member of a small team in a high-paced environment.

• Motivated results-oriented mindset, attention to detail and focus on service delivery.

• Ability to build relationships with a variety of people both inside and outside the organization, and exercise tact and discretion while maintaining confidentiality.

• Commitment to continuous learning and ongoing professional development.

Organizational Competencies

Core Competencies:

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

Work Experience:

Minimum of three years relevant experience in technical cooperation including delivering technical assistance and capacity building in LDC's and developing countries.

Proven track record in international project management, with a strong focus on multilateral and bilateral development cooperation.

Experience in implementing fisheries management measures, fisheries policy, and environmental or marine projects would be highly advantageous.

Languages:

Excellent knowledge of English, with the ability to draft accurately, concisely, and quickly.

Oral and written knowledge of at least one of the other WTO working languages (French or Spanish) is required to be able to deliver presentations in English, French and/ or Spanish.

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.