Director of Accessions

The recruitment policy of the WTO is to seek to attract and retain staff members
offering the highest standards of competence, efficiency and integrity.

As an Equal Opportunities Employer, the WTO gives full regard to merit and diversity.

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The Secretariat of the WTO is seeking to fill the position of Director in the Accessions Division.

General Functions

This is a senior post which carries a high level of responsibility in managerial, political and technical terms. Reporting to a Deputy Director-General, the appointee will lead the Accessions Division which facilitates negotiations between members of an  accession working party and acceding governments. In this context, the division provides accessions-customized technical assistance (TA), capacity building, outreach and policy advice throughout all stages of the accession process. In addition, it issues the WTO Accessions Newsletter after each Informal Group on Accessions (IGA) meeting, which is shared with the public to ensure transparency across all WTO accessions, and prepares the Director-General's Annual Reports on Accessions.

Specific responsibilities of the appointee will include:

1. Lead and manage the overall work of the Accessions Division, ensuring the optimal functioning of the accession Working Parties and provision of technical assistance activities on the substance and procedures of WTO accession and post-accession, as necessary.
2. Coordinate the provision of technical and policy advice on accession matters and procedures to delegations (Chairpersons, Members, acceding Governments and potential acceding Governments), senior management and other divisions in the Secretariat.
3. Prioritize and plan the use of Divisional resources and budget to achieve the required Divisional outputs and results that can be achieved within those resources. Provide guidance to staff in carrying out their work, setting out the performance objectives of the staff members and assessing their performance.
4. Act as Chairperson of the IGA to provide a framework for systemic coordination, guidance and exchange of information on all WTO accessions.
5. Coordinate the work of the Division in preparing the Director-General's Annual Reports on Accessions, which are examined by members at the end-of-year meetings of the General Council.
6. Oversee the work of the Division in issuing the WTO Accessions Newsletter after each IGA meeting, which is shared with the public to ensure transparency across all WTO accessions.
7. Co-ordinate the Division's work with that of other Divisions, including providing substantive contributions to their work and to joint projects or task forces.
8. Maintain the Division's relationships with other relevant international organizations and represent the WTO at high-level meetings. More broadly, lead the Division's outreach activities, maintaining a network of contacts with officials in government, international organizations, research institutions, universities, NGOs and the private sector to enhance dialogue on issues of mutual interest in relevant areas.
9. Represent the Director-General and the WTO Secretariat in various intergovernmental, public and academic events in Geneva and abroad that address matters related to the work of the WTO.
10. Support the Director-General and Senior Management by providing reports, briefings and other information and advice as required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

An advanced university degree in international law, economics or other relevant fields.

Knowledge and Skills

The Director of the Accessions Division must have the skills to lead and motivate a team of approximately 10 staff members to excel in their jobs. He/she must be able to build and maintain a team culture that consistently delivers high-quality results.

Demonstration of the Core Personal Skills applicable to all staff at the WTO Secretariat (teamwork, communication, problem-solving and decision-making, quality of results/delivery, anticipation and initiative, flexibility/adaptability) is fundamental.

The successful candidate must have a thorough understanding of the legal, economic and political issues relating to the WTO accession processes, the WTO legal framework and international and national trade-related policy instruments. An understanding of a broad range of WTO rules such as agricultural policies, Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures, Technical Barriers to Trade, and Trade Related Investment Measures is also necessary. He/she must have excellent analytical and drafting skills.

He/she must have strong diplomatic and negotiating skills. A high level of political awareness and sensitivity is needed, together with the ability to communicate effectively inside and outside the WTO.

Capacity to maintain relationships and facilitate consensus is also required.

Work Experience:

At least fifteen years’ experience in senior roles related to international trade and public policy areas in government or international organizations.

Senior-level experience in multilateral trade negotiations. Experience in the area of accessions would be an advantage.

Leadership and management experience, including the ability to manage effectively the work of a multi-cultural team of professional and support staff.

Languages:

Excellent knowledge of English, including the ability to write accurately and quickly; working knowledge of French and/or Spanish would be an advantage.

Additional Information:

Only applications from nationals of WTO Members will be accepted.

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.

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APPLICANTS MAY BE REQUIRED TO SIT A WRITTEN EXAMINATION

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APPLICANTS WILL BE CONTACTED DIRECTLY IF SELECTED FOR AN INTERVIEW

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Please note that all candidates must complete an online application form.

To apply, please visit the WTO's E-Recruitment website at: https://erecruitment.wto.org.

The system provides instructions for online application procedures.

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

PLEASE NOTE THAT APPLICATIONS RECEIVED AFTER THE

CLOSING DATE WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED

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