Director, , Government

VN Category (INT / EXT / EOI)

External

Final date to receive applications
: 22-07-2026

Grade
: 11

Job Category
:
Professional

Contract Type
:
Fixed-term

Annual Salary
: CHF

The Secretariat of the WTO is seeking to fill the position of Director of the Institute for Training and Technical Cooperation.

The Institute for Training and Technical Cooperation (ITTC) coordinates the WTO's technical assistance (TA) and training. ITTC’s main objectives are to support TA beneficiary countries in strengthening their trade capacity, addressing trade policy issues, integrating more fully into the multilateral trading system, exercising their rights as WTO members, and actively participating in multilateral trade discussions and negotiations.

These objectives are addressed through a Technical Assistance and Training Plan (TA Plan), which identifies the strategy that the WTO Secretariat expects to follow in providing technical assistance. The TA Plan is also a policy framework that focuses on meeting beneficiary-identified needs, guided by a results‑based management approach and the Secretariat’s Strategy 2030, with the aim of enhancing decision‑making, transparency and accountability.

• Planning, setting priorities and overseeing the WTO’s training and technical cooperation activities with regard to all matters under the Institute’s purview; identifying, attracting, and coordinating financial resources to support technical assistance goals.
• Ensuring the effective implementation of the training and technical cooperation activities delivered by the Institute; coordinating the Institute’s work with that of other Divisions, including substantive contributions to the work of other Divisions.
• Leading and supervising the work of ITTC, providing guidance to staff in carrying out their duties, setting required objectives, reviewing output and performance of staff, supporting the development of the knowledge and skills of staff, and ensuring appropriate staff training plans are in place and executed.
• Developing and implementing monitoring and evaluation frameworks for the training and technical co‑operation activities under the Institute’s purview; improving these frameworks to ensure a more robust monitoring and measuring of results, as well as mid‑to‑long‑term impact of such activities.
• Building relationships with Members and external partners to ensure optimal delivery of training and technical cooperation activities as appropriate; liaison with WTO Members, relevant international organisations, academic institutions, NGOs, parliaments and private sector entities.
• Taking a forward‑leaning approach in exploring how AI and other frontier technologies can contribute to the efficacy and effectiveness of Technical Assistance and Capacity Building delivery in the organisation.

An advanced university degree in Economics, International Trade Law or other related fields. Alternatively, a basic university degree in the aforementioned areas combined with proven professional expertise equivalent to an advanced degree may be considered.

Good knowledge of the WTO system and trade policy issues.

Ability to provide strategic direction and vision to the work of the Institute.

Ability to identify emerging issues with implications for technical co‑operation and to translate them into innovative work programmes.

Understanding of the donor community; experience in and capability to mobilise funds.

Very good skills in public speaking, presenting and dealing with the media to communicate the work of the Division to a wide range of audiences.

Strong leadership and managerial skills and proven ability to motivate and manage a multidisciplinary and multicultural team.

Ability to be a strong team player and interact effectively across multiple stakeholder groups.

Intellectual flexibility, good technical and political judgement, as well as strong networking and communication skills. Excellent political sense and the ability to interact effectively with multiple high‑level stakeholders.

Fifteen years of relevant experience, including substantial work…