Economic Affairs Officer

VN Category (INT / EXT / EOI):

External

17-03-2025

Grade 6

Job Category:

Professional

Fixed-term

CHF89,334.00

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 contract funded through the regular budget. The duration will be two years with the possibility of extension, unless specified in the vacancy notice.

The WTO seeks to attract and retain staff members offering the highest standards of competence, efficiency and integrity and to build an organization that is representative of the Members and People it serves. As an equal opportunity and inclusive employer, the WTO gives full regard to competence and welcome applications from qualified candidates irrespective of age, disability status, gender, nationality, race, religion, sexual orientation, social origin or any other characteristic. Applications from non-represented Members (link) are particularly encouraged for all positions.

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The Secretariat of the WTO seeks to fill the position of Economic Affairs Officer in the Agriculture and Commodities Division (AGCD)

AGCD handles all matters related to the implementation of WTO rules and commitments on agriculture, including WTO Ministerial Decisions. The division looks after the implementation of the Agreement on Agriculture and provides support for the ongoing negotiations on agriculture. The division also handles work related to the trade and development aspects of cotton. Other activities of AGCD include the implementation of the Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures, dispute settlement, technical assistance, as well as research and outreach. The division houses the Secretariat of the Standards and Trade Development Facility.

General Functions

Under the supervision of the Director, the incumbent will perform work relating particularly to the development assistance aspects of cotton. Cotton is discussed at the WTO under two complementary tracks: 1) trade aspects, and 2) development assistance provided to cotton production and its value chain. These two tracks reflect the linkages and synergies between cotton trade and development assistance in several developing and Least-Developed Countries (LDCs) Members.

The responsibilities of the incumbent will include the following:

1. As the Secretary of the Director-General's Consultative Framework Mechanism on Cotton (DGCFMC), manage and perform all related tasks, including organizing, and following up on its biannual meetings; prepare requested briefs, reports, other documents to support its work.

2. Liaise with the representatives of the Cotton Four countries (C-4+) and other Member states, international organizations, donors, the private sector and other key partners to prepare the mandated updates of the Director-General's Evolving Table on Cotton Development Assistance.

3. Advance the "Partenariat pour le coton" and broader cotton-related development, partnering with Member states, and in particular the C-4+, LDCs, donor organizations, the private sector, and other stakeholders, to design and implement innovative projects that enhance conditions for cotton producers and drive sector transformation.

4. Assist in preparing training materials for and deliver technical assistance on: cotton, use of the Cotton Portal, the Agriculture Information Management System (IMS) and the Notification Submission System (NSS), as well as the relevant provisions of other WTO agreements.

5. Support the digitalization of DGCFMC documents, including the Evolving Table while ensuring the information contained is up to date, and preparing data and; Provide support for the work of the Committee on Agriculture in Special Session, including the preparation of documents.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

An advanced university degree in agriculture, economics, international trade, or a related discipline, is required.

A first-level university degree combined with relevant additional professional experience equivalent to an advanced university degree, may be accepted.

Knowledge and Skills

Technical skills:          

• Solid grasp of the WTO rules and the concerns of LDCs and developing-country Members.
• Good understanding of the WTO's work on Cotton, specifically on the development assistance track, as well as knowledge of the Agreement on Agriculture.
• Strong stakeholders' liaison and management skills.
• Developed project design and project management skills.

Behavioural skills:

• Aptitude in taking initiative and driving projects forward; a proactive problem-solver with a strong ability to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Tact, diplomacy, and capacity to relate to delegations and development partners.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Ability to set priorities and work under pressure.
• Capacity to work autonomously and build relationships with colleagues while working as part of a team in a multicultural environment.

Organizational Competencies

Core Competencies:

• Communicating for Results
• Effective Collaboration
• Cultivating Progressive Growth
• Professional Accountability
• Relevant Digital Proficiency
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Work Experience

At least two years of relevant experience, preferably in international trade issues related to the development assistance aspects of cotton and the implementation of the Agreement on Agriculture, is required.

Experience working in Sub-Saharan Africa is desired.

Experience in carrying out resource mobilization is desired.

Experience in implementing technical assistance activities is desired.

Languages

Fluency in English and French is required.

Working knowledge of Spanish is desired.

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.

The initial fixed-term contract for positions up to grade 10 shall normally be two years, which shall be probationary, as per Administrative Memorandum No. 997 (OFFICE(23)/4) on Probation Policy. For Director positions, the Policy on evaluation of directors apply as per Administrative Memorandum No. 978 (OFFICE(17)/29).

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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