Project Officer

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 Project Officer position in the Trade and Environment Division. The Trade and Environment Division services the Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), as well as all matters concerning the relationship between trade and environment.  This vacancy relates to the work of the Division under the TBT Agreement and the servicing of its corresponding Committee, including the provision of related expertise and technical assistance.

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. This is a fixed-term Project post position. The duration of the contract is two years, with possibility of extension for one additional year maximum.

General Functions

The Secretariat has developed a number of digital tools that are aimed at facilitating – and making more effective - Members' implementation of the WTO Agreements. This includes the ePing SPS&TBT Platform (http://eping.wto.org), a comprehensive tool for managing and tracking information related to notifications, specific trade concerns and related documents.  The platform can also be used by public and private stakeholders for communication and coordination within and across countries. A new ePing smartphone application was recently launched to facilitate access by businesses, including micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). The incumbent is expected to manage and further improve the services of ePing, in close coordination internally with relevant Divisions and externally with ePing partners, the International Trade Centre (ITC) and the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA). Supervised by senior staff in the Division, functions will include the following:

ePing focal point:

Serve as the main focal point for all communications related to ePing; liaise internally and externally with all stakeholders involved; ensure regular meetings between ePing partners to discuss future projects and next steps; provide updates during Committee meetings.

Respond to queries and questions from ePing users on the use of the tool via the ePing inbox and function as first-line helpdesk assisting users in registering and navigating the ePing services.

ePing maintenance, troubleshooting and enhancements:

Regularly review features on the tool and follow up on reported issues to ensure a smooth user-experience; report bugs to IT colleagues and oversee further follow-up.

Collect inputs and feedback from different types of users, conduct surveys, assess options for enhancements in cooperation with IT counterparts and partners, set up pilot and test groups, oversee incorporation of updates or new features.

Ensure implementation of changes to platform arising from WTO Committee recommendations/decisions.

Explore opportunities to further enhance ePing services following latest evolutions in digitalization and developments in other trade-related online services.

Technical assistance

Develop training materials on the recently launched version of ePing, including video tutorials, in a way that addresses the needs of the diverse group of public and private stakeholders.

Respond to the high number of requests by planning, coordinating and delivering technical assistance activities on transparency and ePing, in cooperation with regional and international partners.

Communication and promotion:

Develop and update communication and promotion materials on ePing services for public and private sectors.

Research:

Carry out quantitative research and analysis related to notifications and specific trade concerns as well as the users/usage of the ePing tool, to serve as input in reports, help tailor technical assistance, and serve as a basis for enhancements to the services.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

Advanced university degree in economics, international relations or another relevant field, preferably with a focus on trade, complemented with practical experience working with on-line tools and databases is required. Alternatively an advanced university degree in business administration, information management or another relevant field complemented with knowledge and/or experience in the area of international trade could be considered.  

Knowledge and Skills:

Technical Knowledge and Skills:

• Knowledge and understanding of trade and development issues, including challenges faced by developing countries.

• General understanding of the functioning of the WTO.

• Good knowledge of the TBT and SPS Agreements, particularly the transparency provisions.

• Experience in developing questionnaires, conducting surveys and follow-up interviews.

• Good analytical skills, including ability to analyse data and survey results.

• Demonstrated ability to use PowerPoint, Excel and similar software as well as experience working with on-line tools and applications, including for video tutorials.

• High level of drafting skills (e.g. webcontent, reports, guides and other promotional material).  

• Project management skills highly desirable.

Behavioural Skills:

• Good organizational skills, including time management and prioritization skills; ability to work swiftly and accurately and meet strict deadlines. Flexibility and adaptability. 

• Attention to detail and thoroughness in dealing with data and information management systems.

• Ability to understand and communicate technical information in a clear way; ability to present technical facts to a variety of audiences from the public and private sectors.

• Ability to work as a member of a team, relating to others, while working independently to achieve his/her objectives.

• Ability to initiate and build relationships with a variety of people both inside and outside the organization.

• Political sensitivity and awareness; tact and diplomacy.

• Ability to adhere rigorously to rules of conduct ensuring confidentiality, impartiality and an absence of conflicts of interest.

Work Experience:

A minimum of three years of professional experience in government, private sector, academia and/or international organisations, including experience working with projects involving on-line tools and databases.

Languages:

Excellent command of English, both oral and written, including the ability to deliver presentations, is essential (at a level corresponding or equivalent to a minimum of C1 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). Working knowledge of French or Spanish is required (at a level corresponding or equivalent to a minimum of B2), including notably ability to deliver oral presentations. Knowledge of a third working language would be an asset.

Shortlisted candidates will be assessed on their language skills as part of the selection process.

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 initial fixed-term contract shall be two years, which shall be probationary, as per Administrative Memorandum No. 997 (OFFICE(23)/4) on Probation Policy.

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. 
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