Vacancy Notice No.: EXT/F/18-68 Title: Head of Dispute Settlement/Managing Lead Lawyer Grade: 10 Contract Type: Fixed-term Starting Salary: CHF 157,859 net per annum (approximate)Issued On: 6 December 2018 (10 day(s) until closing date) Currently accepting applications Application Deadline (CET): 18 January 2019 Division: RulesDuration: Two years with the possibility of extension |
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OtherConditions:In accordance with WTO Staff Regulations and Staff Rules and WTO Pension Plan Regulations. The World Trade Organization offers an attractive compensation package including an annual net salary (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance), dependency benefits, pension plan, health insurance scheme, separation grant and 30 days annual leave. Benefits for internationally recruited staff may include travel and removal expenses on appointment and separation, installation grant, education grant, rental subsidy and home leave. Additional information on the compensation package is provided on the WTO website: https://www.wto.org/english/thewto_e/vacan_e/compensation_e.htm |
The Secretariat of the WTO is seeking to fill the position of Head of Dispute Settlement/Managing Lead Lawyer.
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General Functions
The Rules Division provides support to panels for disputes in the areas of trade remedies, subsidies and state trading enterprises, which collectively account for roughly half of all WTO disputes. Under the supervision of the Director of the Division, the Head of Dispute Settlement/Managing Lead Lawyer will be responsible for managing the team of approximately 15 lawyers plus support staff in all dispute settlement activities within the Rules Division, with a view to ensuring the provision of consistent, timely and high-quality advice to panels. The specific duties include but are not limited to:
1. Plan and organize the work of the Division's dispute settlement team by assigning dispute settlement lawyers and other staff to assist and support dispute settlement panels.
2. Lead and motivate the Division's dispute settlement staff, providing legal and substantive guidance and mentoring to staff in carrying out their duties, setting objectives required, reviewing output (e.g. legal and other work) and performance of the staff, supporting the development of the knowledge and skills of staff, and ensuring that appropriate staff training plans are in place and executed.
3. Build and maintain relationships with adjudicators and the Members in order to serve the WTO as appropriate, while scrupulously maintaining neutrality and observing ethical obligations including the WTO's Dispute Settlement Rules of Conduct.
4. Coordinate closely with other Divisions of the Secretariat on issues relating to the WTO's dispute settlement functions.
5. Oversee the Division's functions in assisting the parties to disputes and, as required, the Director-General in the panel composition process.
6. Represent the WTO Secretariat in various public and academic activities in Geneva and abroad that address WTO dispute settlement matters and legal issues of relevance to the WTO.
7. Undertake other tasks that may be assigned by the Division Director.
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REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
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Education:
Advanced university degree in law, including studies in international trade law. Should be licensed or be eligible to be licensed to practice law in at least one municipal jurisdiction. |
Knowledge and skills:
The Head of Dispute Settlement/Managing Lead Lawyer must have the skills and ability to guide, empower and motivate a team of approximately 15 lawyers, as well as support staff, to excel in their jobs. He/she must be able to build a team culture that consistently delivers high-quality results.
The successful candidate must possess and demonstrate significant management and organizational skills and experience (planning and organizing work, managing people and performance, managing resources).
The successful candidate must demonstrate an expert level of knowledge in international trade law and litigation. He/she must have an excellent knowledge of economic and legal issues relating to the WTO, and an in-depth theoretical and practical knowledge of trade remedies. He/she must also possess an expert level of drafting skills in English.
Proven ability to interact and work with others in a diverse international setting in a harmonious and effective way is a must.
The successful candidate must have good presentation and communication skills as well as a high level of political awareness and sensitivity.
Intellectual flexibility and the ability to find solutions are essential.
High ethical standards and the ability to ensure adherence by others to established rules of conduct are also required. |
Work Experience:
A minimum of 15 years relevant experience, including extensive management experience and proven success with broad supervisory responsibilities in a legal environment. Experience as a legal practitioner in either the public or private sectors, including considerable practical experience in trade law, trade litigation and dispute settlement mechanisms. Significant practical experience in the conduct of or participation in national trade remedies proceedings also is required. |
Languages:
Fluent knowledge of English and an expert level of drafting skills in English is essential (at a level corresponding or equivalent to C2 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)), including a demonstrated ability to write accurately, concisely and quickly, and to review and edit efficiently and effectively the written work of other lawyers. A good knowledge of French and/or Spanish would be an asset.
The English language skills of all candidates being considered for short-listing will be assessed. To this end, candidates may be requested to provide language proficiency certification (e.g. CEFR, IELTS, etc.) and/or undergo remote testing or other assessment procedures. |
Additional Information:
Only applications from nationals of WTO Members will be accepted.
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.
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 12 months, and may subsequently be called upon as and when the need arises for additional resources.
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OFFICE(18)/99 |
