Regional Desk Assistant

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.

The Secretariat of the WTO is seeking to fill a position of Regional Desk Assistant in the Institute for Training and Technical Cooperation.

The Institute for Training and Technical Cooperation (ITTC) designs, coordinates and implements trade-related technical assistance activities. With support across the WTO Secretariat, the ITTC delivers specific technical assistance products as mandated by WTO members in the regularly updated Technical Assistance and Training Plans. These plans focus on strengthening the ability of beneficiaries to understand their rights and obligations within the multilateral trading system, to take full advantage of the rules-based system, to participate effectively in trade negotiations, and to develop, on a long-term basis, their capacity to adjust to WTO rules and disciplines.

General Functions

Working under the Head of the Regional Desk for Asia & Pacific, and under the general supervision of the Administrative Assistant, the Regional Desk Assistant will assist in planning and organizing technical assistance (TA) activities in the Region, both at the regional and national level, in liaison with the other WTO divisions, Geneva-based delegates, capital-based officials and regional partners. More specifically, the incumbent will undertake the following responsibilities:

1. Maintain and update the Trade-Related Technical Assistance (TRTA) database; export data for monitoring and statistics purposes.

2. Provide a wide range of secretarial support, which may include handling and drafting of correspondence, e-mail management, screening and responding to telephone calls, creating and maintaining filing systems.

3. Under the supervision of the Head of Desk, inform stakeholders on TRTA procedures, and assist in scheduling planned activities; assist in the preparation of e-Activity Requests and related documents (i.e. programme, letters of invitation, and letters of agreement with partner such as Memoranda of Understanding); initiate and process contracts for the hiring of external consultants/experts for the delivery of TA activities.

4. Assist in the preparation of documents/training manuals and publications, which may include formatting, editing, proof-reading; coordinate and monitor document reproduction in liaison with the Documents Management, Monitoring and Production Section; gather and arrange information for the preparation of country briefs and other TA-related papers; draft country briefs; and create presentation slides and charts where required.

5. Carry out administrative tasks as assigned by the Administrative Assistant; provide back-up support in the absence of the Administrative Assistant.

6. May train and mentor new secretarial staff.

7. Maintain skills up-to-date and remain abreast of new office procedures and software.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

Completed secondary education. A secretarial qualification or relevant post-secondary qualification would be considered an asset.

Knowledge and skills:

Technical Knowledge and Skills:

Knowledge and understanding of the work of the WTO.

Advanced secretarial skills; office management skills; word processing skills and proficiency in MS suite of applications (Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel) at advanced level.

Drafting skills in English and French.

Behavioural Skills:

Ability to work under minimum supervision.
Ability to work under pressure and strict deadlines.
Strong organizational skills including ability to prioritize and multi-task; flexibility / adaptability in fast changing environment.
Attention to detail.
Tact and discretion.

The following interpersonal capabilities are required: capacity to relate to and build relationships with colleagues; communicate information in a clear way and understand information; persuade others to a point of view using facts; face and cope with conflict situations with colleagues; and work as a member of a group, relating to others, while working independently to achieve his/her objectives.

Work Experience:

Minimum 5 years' secretarial experience, preferably in an international organization or a government ministry environment.

Languages:

Excellent speaking and writing skills in English and French is required (equivalent to level C1 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)); skills in Spanish would be an asset.

The language skills of shortlisted candidates will be assessed as part of the selection process.

Additional Information:

The position may be offered at a lower grade if the selected candidate does not fully meet all the required qualifications.

Only applications from nationals of WTO Members will be accepted.

Should the successful candidate hold a regular or fixed-term contract under the regular WTO budget, the contractual status shall be changed to a one-year fixed-term contract in accordance with the contractual arrangement set out in the vacancy notice.

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.

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.
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APPLICANTS MAY BE REQUIRED TO SIT A WRITTEN EXAMINATION

APPLICANTS WILL BE CONTACTED DIRECTLY IF SELECTED FOR AN INTERVIEW.

Please note that all candidates must complete an online application form.
To apply, please visit the WTO's E-Recruitment website at: 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 - Geneva (Switzerland) time - stated in the vacancy announcement.

PLEASE NOTE THAT APPLICATIONS RECEIVED AFTER THE CLOSING DATE WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED