Legal Affairs Officer

VN Category (INT / EXT / EOI):

External

15-08-2024

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 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.

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The Secretariat of the WTO is seeking to fill the position of Legal Affairs Officer in the Trade in Services and Investment Division.

The Trade in Services and Investment Division is responsible for all aspects of WTO work in the areas of trade in services and investment. In these areas, the Division supports the work of the relevant committees, facilitates and assists Members in their negotiations, monitors policy developments, supports the implementation of the WTO General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS), conducts research on legal, policy and economic matters, maintains and develops databases, provides technical assistance and expert advice to Members, liaises and cooperates closely with other international and regional organizations, and supports dispute settlement panels.

General functions and responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Director and with guidance from senior colleagues, the incumbent will have the following functions and responsibilities:

1.         Provide inputs into substantive analysis on services trade and investment to WTO bodies and negotiating groups, dispute settlement panels, other WTO Divisions, senior management, WTO Members and acceding countries.

2.         Assist senior colleagues and the Division in the running of relevant bodies (e.g., Council for Trade in Services, Committees, Working Parties, negotiating groups) as well as ongoing negotiations.

3.         Conduct and assist in research on services trade, especially its digital aspects, and investment, focusing notably on investment facilitation.

4.         Provide written inputs on services trade and investment issues for Secretariat documents, WTO publications, presentations, and projects as well as those jointly prepared with other international organizations.   

5.         Deliver WTO technical assistance on services trade and investment, update and develop training material, and give presentations to a variety of audiences and stakeholders. 

6.         Follow closely and keep abreast of regulatory and technological developments in trade in services, specific service sectors, modes of supply as well as investment matters, and perform a variety of related back-up functions for more senior colleagues.  

7.         Participate in and contribute to other activities of the Division, as required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

Advanced university degree in law is required. Alternatively, an advanced degree in economics or international relations is acceptable, provided the program includes a strong legal component, which should encompass coursework or substantial experience in legal principles and international law to ensure a solid foundation in legal concepts relevant to the role.

Knowledge and Skills:

Technical skills

Good understanding of, and strong interest in trade in services and investment, and related policies.

Good knowledge of the GATS and agreements covering trade in services and/or investment. Familiarity with digital trade-related issues is an advantage.

Very good analytical and research skills.

Excellent drafting skills (e.g., reports/records of meetings, briefing notes, background papers). Good presentation skills.

Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.).

Behavioural skills:

Good organizational skills, including ability to organize own work/time effectively, prioritize and manage multiple assignments subject to strict deadlines, and work under pressure.

Intellectual curiosity and investigative spirit to quickly develop technical knowledge in a fast-paced environment.

Ability to interact effectively with various audiences (e.g., government officials, negotiators, international officials, regulators, professional associations, scholars, business and civil society representatives).

Ability to relate to and build sound relationships with colleagues, and work within teams.

Political sensitivity and awareness; tact and diplomacy.

Ability to communicate information/views in a clear and concise manner and to comprehend information/views communicated by others.

Strong sense of responsibility and accountability.

Ability to exercise initiative and judgement within established guidelines.

Work Experience:

A minimum of two years of relevant professional experience at the national or international level is required.

Languages:

Excellent command of English, both oral and written, is required. Ability to communicate and conduct technical assistance activities in at least one of the other two WTO working languages (French and Spanish) is a requirement.

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. 

The WTO is a non-smoking environment.