Medical Doctor

VN Category (INT / EXT / EOI):

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 a position of Medical Doctor to work part-time (80%) in the Medical Service.  The Medical Doctor works on the basis of the professional code of ethics, with which professional integrity and confidentiality are amongst the highest requirements.

The Medical Service is composed of a part-time Medical Doctor, two part-time nurses and one full-time medical secretary. It offers a range of services to the WTO Secretariat including: consultation and medical examination of newly appointed and current staff members; and consultations on a variety of medical issues, working towards promoting, protecting and safeguarding health in the workplace.

General Functions

Reporting to the Director of the Human Resources Division, the Medical Doctor will fulfill the following responsibilities:   

1.         Manage the Medical Service and act as the Medical Adviser of the WTO. The WTO Medical Doctor is responsible for providing recommendations and advice on health matters to the Director-General, HRD and relevant internal committees. 

2.         Undertake day-to-day clinical duties, e.g. walk-in clinic, medical emergencies, providing medical referrals, etc. Ensure the day-to-day running of the Medical Service, supervise nurses and medical administrative staff, ensure availability of drugs and medical supplies and proper functioning of medical equipment. Ensure appropriate training programs are implemented in order to maintain and develop the medical capabilities of the Medical Service.

3.         Assess and approve sick-leave certificates on the behalf of the Director-General as well as ensuring any necessary follow-up.

4.         Evaluate and make recommendations on claims related to service incurred accidents, illnesses and deaths, incapacity to work of long or permanent duration, evaluations of requests for disability status of dependent children as well as recommendations on measures such as Return-to-Work Plans. This may include reviewing information on specific medical cases and providing relevant background documentation, in coordination with the Human Resources Division and the WTO Pension Plan as necessary.

5.         Provide medical clearances on recruitment and for staff members joining the WTOPP, carrying out, organizing, or prescribing periodic examinations at least every two years as part of the organization's preventative care measures, and upon leaving the organization, carrying out pre- and post-travel examinations as necessary, and keeping medical records.

6. Monitor the work environment and carrying out risk assessments and occupational health activities, advising on preventive and control measures, promoting employee health and safe working practices, maintaining preparedness for first aid, and participating in emergency preparedness planning and activities. Organizing preventive campaigns and initiatives as well as vaccinations and surveillance of employee health.

7.         Report, on a regular basis, on statistical and causal information on Health related issues as well as Service-Incurred illness or injury and recommend remedial actions to address identified workplace health risks.

8.         Establish strong working relationships with hospitals, medical facilities, laboratories and local physicians and represent the WTO Secretariat in meetings with counterparts in other International Organizations.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

• Swiss Federal Medical Degree or equivalent.        
• Specialist Diploma in Internal Medicine (Swiss Medical Association (FMH) or equivalent)
• Right to practice Medicine in Switzerland.

Knowledge and Skills:

Technical Knowledge and Skills:

A strong medical background and the ability to work independently. Knowledge of clinical, occupational and travel medicine. Authorized to prescribe medications. 

Must demonstrate professional competence and mastery of subject matter; demonstrate analytical

skills and ability to make timely and appropriate decisions in any medical situation; provide patient care that is compassionate, appropriate and effective for the treatment of health problems.

Knowledge of medical software and databases.

Behavioural Skills:

Conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results. 

Good inter-personal skills and empathy. Good communication skills.

A high degree of tact, diplomacy and discretion and proven ability to maintain confidentiality.

Work Experience:

A minimum of 8 years of progressively responsible, clinical experience in general or internal medicine, some of which in an international context, either in private practice or in a hospital or institutional setting, is required. Experience in occupational health and travel medicine is also desirable.

Languages:

Excellent knowledge of French or English with a good knowledge of the other. Knowledge of Spanish would be an asset.

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.