Director

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.

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.

The Secretariat of the WTO is seeking to fill the position of Director of Information and External Relations Division. This is a fixed-term contract funded through the regular budget. The duration will be two years with the possibility of extension. The selected candidate is expected to start the assignment as soon as possible.

Context

The Information and External Relations Division (IERD) works to proactively engage with the media and other stakeholders to explain and deepen understanding of the WTO's work, position the WTO in the intellectual/policy debate of important trade issues, and promote understanding of the role of trade. It creates stories and content over multiple platforms, engaging different groups of audiences, elaborating on the WTO's work, and developing close relationships with stakeholders. This is made available through the WTO web site, social media channels, an extensive publications programme and regular briefings aimed at specific audiences, such as journalists, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), parliamentarians and the academic community. The division organizes an annual Public Forum, which is the major opportunity for governments, NGOs, academics, businesses and students to come together to discuss issues regarding the multilateral trading system. The division works closely with counterparts in other international governmental organizations and regional bodies, such as the United Nations and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. It is also responsible for official relations with WTO members, including protocol matters, in close liaison with the Office of the Director-General.

With approximately 30 staff, the division structure is composed of 5 sections: the Press and Information Section, the External Relations Section, the Audio-Visual and Social Media Section, the Operations, Internet and Intranet Section, and the Editorial, Internet and Publications Section.

The WTO Secretariat is going through a structural review and transformation process, where the incumbent will be part of the group of Directors forming the Transformation Advisory Committee. The structural review may lead to adjustments to the Secretariat structure so that the organization is more fit-for-purpose and works efficiently including across divisions. The incumbent will follow closely and provide expertise and advice on these processes, and ensure follow-through on implementation of new initiatives or adjustments where needed.

General Functions

Reporting to the Office of the Director-General, the incumbent will be accountable for the following:

1.         Lead the development and implementation of the overall communication strategy. Provide strategic leadership and managerial support to the Director-General; inform and advise the Director-General on all issues relating to public affairs, communications and the public image of the WTO.

2.         Create and build on opportunities from emerging communication and public affairs trends and challenges for the WTO;  propose innovative ways to communicate the WTO's stories and shape the narrative to enhance the WTO's position; develop networks of "influencers" to enhance the WTO's visibility in international fora.

3.         Ensure the production of high-impact communication material and dissemination of WTO content that is current and relevant; keep abreast of new technologies and developments in social media and other communication outlets and use them to optimize WTO's presence. 

4.         Adopt a proactive approach to media relations, including on how WTO senior management and division staff members engage with the media. Be the lead spokesperson representing the Director-General and the WTO Secretariat in the public arena.

5.         Lead the Division and motivate the staff, providing guidance to staff in carrying out their duties. Set out the accountabilities and performance objectives for her/his immediate subordinates, assess their performance and implement any changes required. Build the divisional team, developing the potential of the team members, ensuring they are trained as required and providing leadership by setting standards.

6.         Manage communications within the WTO Secretariat to ensure that the staff are well informed on key issues and that consistent messages are communicated to the outside world.

7.         Lead the preparation of the public affairs aspects of the Ministerial Conference, the WTO’s Public Forum and other high-profile events.

8.         Build and maintain collaborative working relationships with other international organizations and fora.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

An advanced university degree in journalism, communication, public relations, business or a relevant discipline is required. Alternatively a university degree in the aforementioned areas combined with extensive relevant work experience could be considered in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Knowledge and Skills:

Technical Knowledge and Skills:

The WTO is looking for a dynamic individual who is highly competent, with strong communication skills, strong base in the media, and extensive management experience. The successful candidate must demonstrate an ability to quickly assimilate the knowledge of the WTO system and of legal and economic issues relevant to the work of the WTO. S/he must have an excellent knowledge of the goals and objectives of the WTO, including on relevant economic and legal issues. S/he must also possess an expert level of drafting skills in English. Highly developed communication skills, extensive contacts with the media and familiarity with a range of media tools including social media is required.

The Director of the Information and External Relations Division must have the skills to guide, empower and motivate a multidisciplinary team to excel in their jobs. S/he must be able to build a team culture that consistently delivers high-quality results. Excellent demonstrated management and organizational skills (planning and organizing work, managing people and performance, managing resources) are essential.

S/he must have good presentation skills to communicate with the WTO Members, other international organizations and various stakeholders.

Behavioural Skills:

The successful candidate must demonstrate the ability to interact and work with others in a diverse multicultural international setting in a harmonious and effective way; good communication skills; high level of political awareness and sensitivity; intellectual flexibility including openness to other's views and ability to find solutions; and good political judgement.

High ethical standards and the ability to ensure adherence by others to established rules of conduct are also required.

Work Experience:

Minimum fifteen years’ experience holding senior positions in communications, journalism, stakeholder partnerships or public relations in government, international organisations or in the private sector. Proven leadership and management experience, including managing multicultural teams.

Languages:

Proficiency (speaking and writing) in English and French or Spanish is required. Adequate skills in the other working language of the WTO would 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.

For non-entry level positions, the position may be offered at a lower grade if the selected candidate does not fully meet all the required qualifications. 

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. 

Please note that the WTO employment offer is conditional on new employees confirming that they are fully vaccinated against Covid-19, except where a medical condition does not allow such vaccination (as certified by the WTO medical service). If you do not have access to vaccination in your place of origin, you may be vaccinated in Geneva during the onboarding process. The successful candidate will be asked to provide relevant evidence relating to this condition.

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.