Readvertisement : Trade Policy Officer (WTO & UN)

Job No: PIFS169

Location: Geneva, Switzerland

Closing Date: 13 Aug 2021 +12

The Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat

The Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (Forum Secretariat) is the region’s premier political and economic policy organisation, with a vision of helping to create a region of peace, harmony, security, social inclusion and prosperity, so that all Pacific people can lead free, healthy, and productive lives.

The international organisation works to achieve this vision by fostering cooperation between governments, collaboration with international agencies, and by representing the interests of its members - including directly engaging with community members in order to identify pressing needs of the region.

The work of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS) is guided by the Framework for Pacific Regionalism (FPR) as:

The expression of a common sense of identity and purpose, leading progressively to the sharing of institutions, resources, and markets, with the purpose of complimenting national efforts, overcoming common constraints, and embracing sustainable and inclusive development within Pacific countries and territories and for the Pacific region as a whole. 

The FPR is underpinned by the Blue Pacific narrative, endorsed by Forum Leaders in Samoa in 2017, which calls for a long-term regional commitment to act as one “Blue Continent” as the means to achieve its development aspirations. The Leaders vision was that it would serve as the platform to reinforce and inspire the region in its shared stewardship of the Pacific Ocean, and to reaffirm the connections of Pacific peoples with their natural resources, environment, culture and livelihoods.

 The Opportunity

The Forum Secretariat is looking for a Trade Policy Officer (WTO & UN) to join the team in Geneva. The Trade Policy Officer will be responsible to the Pacific Island Forum Secretariat’s Permanent Representative to the World Trade Organisation (WTO and United Nations) in Geneva. The Officer will assist in providing technical support and advice to Forum Island Countries (FICs) on issues relating to WTO negotiations, as well as on trade issues in trade-related international institutions based in Geneva. To facilitate the above, the incumbent will be responsible for:

• Responding quickly and effectively to requests from the Permanent Representative, FICs and Forum Secretariat Senior Management for the provision of advice, correspondence, briefings, media statements and reporting on issues related to WTO negotiations and relevant UN issues;
• Coordinating and organising attendance and representation at meetings, workshops and training seminars on issues related to WTO negotiations and relevant UN related matters, including preparation of meeting and workshop papers and briefings;
• Providing services and technical advice, either directly or through consultants, development partners or other counterparts and represent FICs in WTO and trade-related institutions in Geneva; and
• Coordinating representation of the region’s priorities on relevant UN-related matters in line with the PIFS’s international engagement policies and strategies and on ACP matters in line with the new EU-ACP Partnership Agreement and Pacific Regional Protocol as directed by the Permanent Representative.

The Secretariat seeks a strategic and proficient individual with a university bachelor’s degree in Economics, Finance or international trade (a postgraduate degree, would be desirable, specializing in international economics or economic development issues and Diploma in WTO Trade Policy and/or successful completion of WTO internship program). The candidate should possess substantial relevant work experience dealing with international trade, trade policy, WTO issues and economic research in the Forum Island Countries or in a similar environment.

The Benefits

The appointment carries a competitive remuneration and benefits package including medical and life insurance. Salary for the Trade Policy Officer (WTO & UN) position depends on qualifications and experience. Paid in Euro dollars, this range is within an adjusted base salary of SDR37,144 to SDR41,908. At the 1st June 2021 exchange rates this was equivalent to FJD108,959 to FJD138,302 per annum. Your adjusted base salary includes a cost of living differential allowance paid in Euro dollars, in the range of SDR10,189 to SDR11,496. At the 1 June 2021 exchange rates this was equivalent to FJD29,889 to FJD33,722. This salary is also dependent on foreign exchange rates at the time of payment. For non-Fijian nationals, this salary may be tax-free.  To be eligible for this position, the applicant must be a national of a Forum member state*. 

Click here to view the information package for the job description and remuneration details. Applicants must be willing to travel periodically via economy class.

Candidates must include in either their application or Curriculum Vitae the full contact details of three referees. Deadline for applications is at 5pm (Fiji time), 13 August 2021.

The Forum Secretariat is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

 *Member States of the Pacific Islands Forum: Australia, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Kiribati, Nauru, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu.