INTRODUCTION:

The World Customs Organization (WCO) is an independent intergovernmental body, established in 1952 as the Customs Co-operation Council (CCC), whose mission is to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of Customs services across the globe. The WCO represents 186 Customs administrations that collectively process approximately 98% of world trade. As the global centre of Customs expertise, the WCO is the only international organization with competence in Customs matters.

As a forum for dialogue and exchange of experiences between national Customs delegates, the WCO offers its Members a range of Conventions and other international instruments, as well as technical assistance and training services provided either directly by the Secretariat, or with its participation. The Secretariat also actively supports its Members in their endeavours to modernize and build capacity within their national Customs administrations.

The Tariff and Trade Directorate is looking to recruit an official as a Technical Officer Nomenclature – Harmonized System.

MAIN ACCOUNTABILITIES:

Under the supervision of the Deputy Director Tariff and Trade, the Technical Officer Nomenclature – Harmonized System will focus on the following key activities:

• Prepare working documents for the Harmonized System Committee or HS Review Sub-Committee, including in relation to changes to the HS Nomenclature or the Explanatory Notes, resolution of classification questions, policy matters, or reports on activities;


• Act as rapporteur in meetings of HS-related Committees;


• Advise on complex technical matters relating to the Harmonized System and classification;


• Co-ordinate with external stakeholders, including other international organisations, to obtain information as required;


• Contribute to the development of capacity building assistance, educational material and other HS development activities as required;


• Undertake capacity building training as required;


• The person appointed will also be required to perform such other duties as may be assigned and may be subject to reassignment within the WCO Secretariat.

EDUCATION:

• University degree with at least five (5) years of related experience or equivalent combination of professional experience of at least ten (10) years, skills and knowledge relevant to the position.

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

• The candidate must have a comprehensive knowledge of the Harmonized System and at least five years’ experience of practical issues relating to Nomenclature matters, in particular tariff classification, at the national level within the Customs administration. Experience in relation to the classification of machinery and technology, the classification of foods and beverages or the classification of textiles is an advantage;


• The candidate must have high level analytical skills;


• A high level of proficiency in written and oral communication skills, including analytical writing, is required. Experience in either training in the HS or preparing guidance on classification is an advantage;


• The candidate must have good interpersonal skills, be prepared to work in a team in an international environment, be able to respond flexibly to changes in priorities and requests for work and meet deadlines;


• The candidate is expected to be capable of working with Microsoft Office.

LANGUAGES:

• The candidate must be proficient in drafting and speaking in one of the official languages of the WCO (English or French) and preferably have a good working knowledge of the other official language;


• Proficiency in French will be an advantage.

CONTRACT AND CONDITIONS:

• Staff member under graded official WCO contract of 5 years (with possibility of renewal );


• Recruitment under grade A3, step 1;


• Probationary period: 6 months;


• Full-time employment (37 hours and 40 minutes weekly) at the WCO Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium;


• 30 days of annual paid leave;


• Salary based on Coordinated Organizations scale/starting salary amount of 7,651.78 EUR/month (remuneration exempted from income tax in Belgium); and


• Compulsory WCO health insurance deducted from the salary (around 72 EUR/month).

This position is subject to the WCO Staff Manual. If a candidate is related to current WCO staff members (spouse, father, mother, son, daughter, brother or sister), he/she is required to expressly indicate this in the application.

APPLICATION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS:

The onus is on the applicant to demonstrate how he/she meets each of the essential qualifications and requirements. Applicants are encouraged to detail concrete achievements in their CVs and/or in their cover letters as well as include references.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for an assessment which may include a written test and/or an interview. All short-listed candidates may be requested to provide copies of their original diploma, certificates and proof of relevant experience. Pre-selected candidates may also be subject to reference checks to confirm the information provided in the application.

Interested candidates should submit their application for review no later than 23rd October 2024, including a CV and cover letter in English or French by e-mail to: vacancy.tta@wcoomd.org indicating clearly in the email subject matter box the vacancy for which they are applying.

The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to criteria of the position and the WCO applicable rules.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

The WCO values commitment to the principles of integrity, transparency and accountability as well as values diversity among its staff members. Applications from qualified women and men will receive equal treatment and due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting nationals from WCO Members on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The age limit for employment at the WCO is 65. Please note that the WCO Headquarters is a non-smoking environment.