Trade Policy Analyst

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.

The Secretariat of the WTO is seeking to fill a position of Trade Policy Analyst in the Regional Trade Agreements (RTA) Section of the Trade Policies Review Division (TPRD).

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.

General Functions

Reporting to the Chief of the RTA Section, the selected staff member will be expected to make substantial contributions to all the functions of the Section: preparing factual presentations, servicing the Committee on Regional Trade Agreements and if necessary, the Negotiating Group on Rules, technical cooperation and training and other analytical work as requested. Key functions include:

Draft factual presentations of complex RTAs including those involving several parties notified to the WTO. This requires strong economic skills and also excellent knowledge of WTO rules especially the relationship between rules on RTAs and other WTO legal provisions. Provide technical assistance in Geneva and elsewhere including on WTO rules relating to RTAs and the economic and systemic implications of RTAs. Assist in the preparation of background documents for the Committee on Regional Trade Agreements. Carry out research on the impact of RTAs on international trade and their relationship with the multilateral trading system. Prepare briefing notes as requested for Senior Management. Contribute to the work of the Section on comparative research on RTAs and activities on outreach.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

Advanced university degree in economics or specialized in international trade, with excellent knowledge of the economics of trade policy in general and the relationship between RTAs and the multilateral trading system.

Knowledge and Skills:

Technical Knowledge and Skills:

Excellent knowledge and understanding of WTO Agreements and the functioning of the WTO system, with thorough knowledge of the rules and procedures as they relate to RTAs and their relationship with other WTO rules. In addition to liberalization of trade in goods, an excellent understanding of services provisions in RTAs and their relationship and comparison with the GATS will be an asset.

Excellent knowledge of economics and international trade; good knowledge of regional trade policy trends and the impact of RTAs on the multilateral trading system.

Advanced analytical and research skills with knowledge of programming languages such as R, Python or equivalent, to conduct analytical research and manage data science projects.

Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications such as Word, PowerPoint, Excel, etc.

Excellent drafting and presentation skills with the ability to address both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Behavioural Skills:

Strong ability to work independently, with good judgement to determine: to what extent sensitive issues are to be covered and highlighted; the reliability of available data and information; and the analytical methodology employed.

Excellent teamwork skills; ability to problem-solve.

Ability to work in a dynamic environment, demonstrating excellent organizational skills including through working under pressure, and meeting strict deadlines.

Highly developed tact and discretion including political sensitivity; good diplomatic and communication skills; and ability to build constructive relationships with people both inside and outside the Organization.

Work Experience:

A minimum of five years of professional experience in a relevant position related to trade policy analysis. Experience in guiding and mentoring junior staff would be an asset.

Languages:

Excellent knowledge of English, including a demonstrated ability to communicate accurately, concisely and clearly, both orally and in writing (at a level corresponding or equivalent to a minimum of C1 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)). Ability to communicate in a second WTO working language (French or Spanish) will 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. 

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.