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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 Information and External Relations Division is looking for a Counsellor, External Relations.

The Information and External Relations Division uses a variety of means, such as the WTO web site, WTO publications, videos, briefings and events to explain the work of the WTO to a wide range of audiences, including journalists, students, NGOs, parliamentarians, the business community and the general public. The External Relations Section's work focuses on relations with civil society, business, parliamentarians and intergovernmental organizations as well as protocol matters. It leads the preparations of the annual Public Forum, one of WTO's most important outreach activity, involving WTO members, civil society, academia, media, business and parliamentary representatives.

General Functions

Reporting to the Head of External Relations, the incumbent will be a key contributor to the communications and outreach strategy vis-à-vis civil society, and will be responsible for organizing and overseeing the annual Public Forum and for overall WTO-NGO relations, communication, partnerships and activities, including during WTO Ministerial Conferences. The tasks include:

1.         Lead the preparations, coordination and organization of the WTO Public Forum. The Public Forum is the WTO’s largest annual outreach event attracting over 2,500 representatives from civil society, academia, business, the media, governments, parliamentarians and inter-governmental organizations. This includes the design and execution of an organization-wide Public Forum communications strategy, managing diverse teams across the WTO secretariat, liaising with and preparing the Director-General and senior management, acting as intermediary between the organization and external actors and be the official focal point for the organization.

2.         Build and maintain relationships with civil society; further integrate and coordinate civil society outreach within the organization, as part of a broader communication and outreach strategy; identify and develop partnerships in support of this strategy; interact with civil society in order to keep them abreast of relevant WTO and trade-related developments in Geneva and abroad.

3.         Contribute to or be responsible for designated aspects of the preparation for WTO Ministerial Conferences. Oversee and run NGO-related activities during Ministerial Conferences.

4.         Keep senior management abreast of developments related to the Public Forum preparations and civil society activities.

5.         Carry out other relevant work of the Division, including the preparation of briefing notes on issues related to the division for the Director-General and Senior Management.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

An advanced university degree in International Relations, Communications, Political Science, Economics or another relevant subject.   

Knowledge and Skills:

Technical Knowledge and Skills:

Good knowledge and understanding of WTO Agreements and issues.

Strategic communication skills including ability to put together communication strategy for target audiences and good understanding of challenges therein.

Skills in and demonstrable experience with preparing and organizing high-profile events.

Familiarity with a broad range of civil society groups and experience working with them.

Solid experience and knowledge of protocol matters.

Behavioural Skills:

The incumbent must possess outstanding organizational skills and work management skills and be capable of working under time pressure. Capability to maintain a high and constant level of creativity and innovative thinking; and excellent diplomatic and well-developed political skills.

The incumbent must have the capability to interact effectively and tactfully with senior internal and external stakeholders; to think long term and strategically when building and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders; to communicate complex concepts and ideas to a variety of audiences including those who may not possess deep knowledge of the WTO.

The incumbent must keep an open mind and take into consideration the perspectives and positions expressed on contentious issues. The incumbent will be called upon to resolve conflicts within the guidelines provided by her/his supervisor. It is essential that the incumbent be a team player who is committed to working and cooperating with colleagues within the division and across the WTO secretariat.

Organizational Competencies:

Core Competencies:

• Communicating for Results

• Effective Collaboration

• Cultivating Progressive Growth

• Professional Accountability

• Relevant Digital Proficiency

• Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Leadership & Management Competencies:

• Talent-centered Leadership

• Self-Aware Leadership

• Coordinated Cross Functional Leadership

• Strategic Leadership

Work Experience:

Minimum eight years of relevant professional experience in managing high-profile events, strategic communications, with significant exposure to trade issues and civil society dynamics including at the international level.

Languages:

Excellent speaking and writing skills in English as well as a good working level of French or Spanish. Knowledge of other languages spoken by WTO Members will be an advantage.

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.