World Trade Organization (WTO) - Netherlands Trainee Programme

The aim of the Trainee Programme is to assist in the economic and social development of least developed countries (LDCs), low income countries and comparable poor small and vulnerable economies in areas related to trade policy and to provide essentially junior public officials with the opportunity to learn about matters dealt with within the WTO, under the direction of staff members of the WTO. Particular attention will be given to African countries. It is expected that up to 20 trainees will be accommodated per year.

Main Objectives  

The main objective of the Programme is to generate tangible and measurable results and thus leave a lasting trace, including through:

• building sustainable capacity in beneficiary countries, by providing officials with an opportunity to directly participate in WTO's work in Geneva;  
• providing exposure to ongoing activities in the Secretariat, which will assist officials in enhancing their understanding of the functioning of the WTO and the Multilateral Trading System (MTS), and providing relevant policy advice to the governments;
• facilitating the implementation of Member's commitments in the WTO; and,  
• contributing to the achievement of the goals of the Doha Development Agenda (DDA), and more specifically, those set out in the Decision of the General Council in August 2004 (the "July package").

Terms and Conditions  

The official will spend a total period of up to ten months with the WTO and will be expected to complete a specific and well defined task in that period in conformity with the objectives of the Programme. This task will need to have specific relevance for the beneficiary country in terms of capacity building and/or in the ongoing negotiations and will be defined prior to the beginning of the traineeship. By way of illustration, these tasks can include:

• undertaking a "needs assessment" for identifying priorities for technical assistance and training, based on the guidelines established in the Summer of 2004 to that effect;  
• contributing to the attainment of the "July Package", e.g. tabling an initial or improved offer in services;  
• fulfilling outstanding notification obligations and assisting in the implementation of commitments for new, recently acceded, Members;  
• assisting acceding countries in their process of accession;  
• assisting in the preparation of Trade Policy Reviews (TPRs);  
• undertaking other tasks which would contribute to a better and fuller participation of the beneficiary country in the MTS; and,  
• assisting WTO Divisions in specific tasks, with the exception of dispute settlement proceedings.  
• The Trainees shall not be assigned to regular staff posts and shall be considered as supplementary staff within the Organization.

The Trainees shall be subject, for the duration of their assignment, to the Staff Regulations and Rules applicable to the Organization, including "The Standards of Conduct", as set out in the letters of appointment issued by the Organization.

The Trainees shall be subject to the authority of the Director-General of the Organization, and shall be responsible to him/her in the exercise of their duties.