World Customs Organization is looking for a Technical Officer, Facilitation Policy Unit (French-speaking)

1. 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 187 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 wide 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, as well as fostering international cooperation among them.

2. SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE VACANT POSITION

The Facilitation Policy Unit sits within the Enforcement, Facilitation & Technology SubDirectorate of the Policy and Standards Directorate. The Enforcement, Facilitation & Technology Sub-Directorate is tasked with overseeing the development, update, maintenance and promotion of WCO instruments and tools in the areas of Customs enforcement, trade facilitation and technology.

Reporting to the Head of Unit, Facilitation Policy, the Technical Officer will be primarily responsible for work in the area of facilitation related WCO instruments and tools such as the Revised Kyoto Convention, ATA and Istanbul Conventions, Customs Convention on Containers and Time Release Study, as well as responsibilities in relation to other areas of work that fall under the unit.

As outlined under the main accountabilities, the work is a primarily a mix of supporting WCO Members through the organisation of meetings, including the preparation of documents, research on technical subjects, and the preparation of tools and guidelines. When required, the Technical Officer would also be expected to lead or contribute to capacity building activities in Member administrations or represent the WCO at international fora and in meetings with Members, relevant partners and stakeholders.

This position would suit a motivated policy expert with strong analytical and drafting skills, who enjoys working in an international environment and engaging with diverse stakeholders.

3. MAIN ACCOUNTABILITIES

Under the supervision of the Head of Unit, the Technical Officer will focus on the following key activities within the subject matter areas assigned to them:

• Work supporting WCO working bodies, including, but not limited to, preparing agendas, documents, work plans, briefings, reports, and web articles, and, when appropriate, facilitating discussions in, or associated with, the meeting.
• Research and analyses of technical matters and preparation of tools, including, but not limited to, preparing working documents and reports for meetings and the production of studies and analyses, as required.
• Training, tutoring and other capacity building activities when required, including, but not limited to, work on the accreditation of experts and technical assistance to WCO Members on the adoption and implementation of WCO instruments and tools, and tutoring for WCO programs as required.
• Representation work for the WCO when required, including, but not limited to, presentation or attendance at meetings, seminars, and conferences, held in by Customs administrations, other international and regional organizations and/or intergovernmental organizations, or organized or supported by the WCO.
• Coordination and liaison when required with other international and intergovernmental organizations to exchange information and provide technical assistance and with Members’ personnel, particularly with Customs Attachés posted in Brussels.
• Drafting and editing of public facing information as required, including, but not limited to, the drafting and editing of content and preparation of proofs for hard-copy or electronic publication of instruments and tools, and drafting information of a policy, procedural and technical nature for publication.
• Provision of technical advice as required, including, but not limited to, drafting responses to requests for advice from Members and queries from external stakeholders, and writing briefing notes, presentations/speeches to be given by the Secretary General and other senior Secretariat staff as assigned.
• Collaborative work on cross-cutting matters as required, working with other Units in the WCO.

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.

4. EDUCATION

• A minimum of an undergraduate degree in a relevant field or an equivalent combination of education, training, and/or experience.

5. ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE & COMPETENCIES

• Minimum 7 years of relevant professional experience.
• Demonstrable experience and comprehensive knowledge of Customs procedures and trade facilitation, including those related to the Revised Kyoto Convention, temporary admission (ATA and Istanbul Conventions), and the Customs Convention on Containers.
• Demonstrable experience in the implementation of instruments and tools such as the Time Release Study.
• Strong analytical skills and proven experience in working effectively under pressure.
• Strong interpersonal skills, intercultural awareness, and the ability to work effectively with colleagues and stakeholders.
• Ability to generate new ideas and effectively connect and coordinate experts from different subject areas.
• Good knowledge of computer applications and information systems, including MS Office, and familiarity with data management tools or digital platforms relevant to crossborder e-commerce.

6. DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE & COMPETENCIES

• Good knowledge of the WCO’s policies and priorities, as well as of its administrative practices and procedures.

7. LANGUAGES

• Fluency in English and/or French, the official languages of the WCO.
• Knowledge of the other official WCO language would be considered an asset but is not essential.

8. CONTRACT AND CONDITIONS

• Staff member under WCO contract of five (5) years, with the possibility of renewal up to a maximum total duration of appointment at A-Grade of 10 years;
• Probationary period: six (6) months;
• Full-time employment (thirty-seven (37) hours and forty (40) minutes weekly) at WCO Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium;
• Thirty (30) days of annual paid leave;
• Salary based on the Co-ordinated Organisations’ salary scale, grade A3, step 1; amount of 8,091.28 EUR/month (remuneration exempted from income tax in Belgium);
• The basic salary can be augmented by allowances based on the staff member’s eligibility, and it is subject to the mandatory withholding of terminal allowance (for retirement planning) and medical and life & disability insurance contributions.

This position is subject to the WCO Staff Manual (for permanent staff). If a candidate is related to current WCO staff members (spouse, father, mother, son, daughter, brother or sister), they are required to specifically indicate this in the application.

9. APPLICATION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS

Interested candidates should submit their application for review no later than 17 th of July 2026 at 23:59 Central European Time , including a CV and motivation letter in English or French. This application should be sent by email to: TOFPU.vacancy@wcoomd.org .

The subject line of the email sent by each candidate should clearly indicate the job vacancy for which they are applying.

The onus is on the applicant to demonstrate how they meet each of the essential qualifications and requirements. Applicants are encouraged to describe tangible achievements in their CV and motivation letter, as well as to include contact details for referees.

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 their application.

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

10. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The WCO is committed to the principles of integrity, transparency and accountability, as well as to promoting diversity among its staff members. Accordingly, applications from qualified candidates, irrespective of gender, 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 building is a non-smoking environment.

Any personal data collected and processed as part of the recruitment procedure will be in accordance with the WCO’s Personal Data Protection Policy (available on the WCO website: https://www.wcoomd.org/en/about-us/legal-instruments/policies.aspx). Any questions or complaints in this regard may be addressed to the WCO’s Data Protection Officer (dpo@wcoomd.org).

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