## 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 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 endeavors to modernize and build capacity within their national Customs administrations, as well as fostering international cooperation among them.
## PROGRAMME BACKGROUND
Customs administrations perform a range of important functions on behalf of their governments, including revenue collection, trade facilitation, community protection, and national security. Their compliance with international standards and capacity to simplify and harmonize customs formalities are vital for the competitiveness of their national economy, the improvement of the investment climate and further development of international trade. Therefore, investing in Customs reform and modernization has become a key development priority in recent years.
The adoption of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA), including its mandatory provisions on modernized Customs procedures, has reinforced the need to support developing and least developed countries to aligning their Customs administrations with international standards. As an ‘Annex D organization’ the WCO supports its Members in the implementation of the WTO TFA.
The Accelerate Trade Facilitation Programme (the “Programme”) brings together the WCO, the United Nations Trade and Development (UNCTAD), and the United Kingdom’s His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) in a partnership to support implementation of the WTO TFA through the use of WCO instruments and tools under the WCO Mercator Programme. The Programme leverages the respective strengths of each organization: the WCO’s Customs-to-Customs approach and accredited experts, and UNCTAD’s complementary support to National Committees on Trade Facilitation. Building on a collaboration that began in 2015, the Programme contributes to inclusive and sustainable economic growth. For more information about the Accelerate Trade Facilitation Programme and its work, please consult [here](http://www.wcoomd.org/-/media/wco/public/global/pdf/about-us/vacancies/technical-expert_-pca-final.pdf).
## MAIN OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME
The main objective of the Accelerate Trade Facilitation Programme is to foster sustainable development by supporting Customs administrations to implement the TFA, through providing technical assistance and capacity building on TFA implementation. This includes technical assistance in the areas of Risk Management, Post Clearance Audit, Authorized Economic Operators, Time Release Study and Coordinated Border Management. This is done through the organization of national diagnostics or capacity building/technical assistance training, workshops, and regional and international events, promoting experience sharing and building on a Customs-to-Customs partnership.
## MAIN ACCOUNTABILITIES
Reporting to the Programme Manager and in collaboration with the Lead Technical expert, the Trade Facilitation Technical Expert will provide technical expertise and will be responsible for the content and delivery of technical capacity building trade facilitation measures, focusing on Post Clearance Audit and Risk management, to partner countries participating in the ATFP.
The position holder will focus on the following key areas:
### Programme Implementation
– Conduct in-country and/or remote diagnostic and scoping missions to assess partner country needs and design tailored capacity-building activities
– Develop and monitor activity plans in line with the Programme’s results framework and capacity-building methodology
– Deliver capacity building and technical assistance missions on a remote basis and in-country
– Provide continuous remote advisory support to beneficiary countries, including technical guidance and consultations
– Draft mission agendas, terms of reference, reports, and technical documentation in coordination with WCO subject matter experts and partner administrations
– Undertake background research to support project planning and delivery
– Contribute to activity and donor reports with a focus on measurable and sustainable results
– Support other Programme Team members in the design and delivery of technical assistance and capacity building activities related to WTO TFA implementation, across relevant thematic areas and TFA articles
– Work collaboratively within a multicultural team environment to ensure timely and high-quality delivery of Programme outputs
– Undertake frequent international travel, as required
### Support to Experts
– Mobilize experts from the WCO Expert Pool to support Programme activities
– Ensure quality and coherence of technical assistance by:
– Briefing experts on objectives and expected results
– Aligning interventions with country needs and Programme priorities
– Providing experts with relevant country background information and WCO tools
– Conduct debriefings with experts following each mission and review mission reports
– Identify follow-up actions with partner countries and experts as appropriate
### Knowledge Development and Documentation
– Ensure that technical content for specific delivery activities aligns with WCO policies, standards and instruments
– Contribute to the development, review, and refinement of training materials, and digital learning products related to trade facilitation
– Prepare technical papers and briefings for WCO committees, including the Capacity Building Committee and the Permanent Technical Committee
– Participate in and contribute to the drafting of any other papers, reports, or technical documents as requested by the line manager or WCO management, in line with WCO policies and priorities
### Communications
– Support the Programme Manager and Team members with providing content for Programme reports, and internal and external communications
– Develop Case Stories (articles) to highlight the Programme’s impact in supporting partner countries in achieving increased alignment with relevant TFA Articles
– Maintain a network of contacts in partner countries and within the trade facilitation community to support implementation activities
– Maintain close coordination with relevant WCO technical units responsible for trade facilitation instruments and tools to track updates and providing feedback from implementing administrations
### Other Duties
– Perform other related duties as assigned by the supervisor
## EDUCATION
– University degree (Bachelor’s degree or higher) in a relevant field or an equivalent combination of education, skills and experience
## EXPERIENCE AND ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATION
### Professional Experience
– At least seven (7) years of experience in a relevant field (e.g., customs, trade facilitation, border management or a closely related field)
– Proven experience in delivering technical assistance, capacity building, and training in trade facilitation
– Proven experience working in international and multicultural environments, including collaboration with government agencies, international organizations, and development partners
### Technical Expertise
– Demonstrated in-depth knowledge of the WTO TFA Agreement and practical experience in supporting or advising on its implementation
– Proven technical expertise in Post-Clearance Audit (PCA) – TFA Article 7.5
– Strong understanding of Risk Management – TFA Article 7.4
– Sound knowledge of relevant WCO instruments, standards, and tools supporting TFA implementation, Risk Management, and PCA (e.g. SAFE Framework, Revised Kyoto Convention, WCO Risk Management Compendium, PCA Guidelines)
### Analytical, Reporting, and Training Skills
– Proven ability to assess institutional and training needs and to design and deliver tailored technical assistance and capacity-building programmes (both in-person and virtual)
– Demonstrated experience in drafting technical reports, guidelines, training materials, and working documents related to trade facilitation or customs reform
– Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to provide practical, solution-oriented recommendations
### Communication and Interpersonal Skills
– Strong interpersonal and teamwork skills, with the ability to work effectively with WCO Secretariat staff, Member administrations, project partners, technical experts, and other stakeholders in a multicultural and international environment
– Ability to work under pressure, meet deadlines, and adapt to changing operational environments
## ADDITIONAL DESIRABLE BUT NON ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS
– WCO (Pre-)Accreditation/Recognition on one or more TFA technical measures or equivalent combination of training, skills and experience will be considered a strong asset
– Knowledge and technical expertise in relation to Coordinated Border Management (TFA Article 8), Time Release Study (TFA Article 7.6), and/or Authorized Operators (TFA Article 7.7) would be an asset
– Knowledge of risk-based Customs clearance systems and modern compliance management approaches would be an asset
## LANGUAGES
– Fluency in English, both written and spoken is required
– Knowledge of French would be an asset
## CONTRACT AND CONDITIONS
– Staff member under a short-term contract of two (2) years with the possibility of renewal based on budget availability and performance
– Probationary period of six (6) months
– Full-time employment (37 hours and 40 minutes weekly) at the WCO Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium
– Travel to beneficiary countries required
– Thirty (30) days of annual paid leave
– Relocation package available (conditions apply)
– Salary from 6,800 EUR/month all-inclusive
– Remuneration exempted from income tax in Belgium (it is the applicant’s responsibility to verify his/her tax obligations outside of this arrangement)
– Compulsory WCO health insurance deducted from the salary (around 71 EUR/month for the staff member)
– Immediate family members (limited to spouse and dependent children) are eligible for health insurance cover on the WCO policy, with full premiums at the charge of the staff member
This position is subject to the Manual for Short-Term Contractors. The successful applicant shall not acquire the right subsequently to occupy a permanent post within the WCO. The successful applicant will not be affiliated to any retirement fund or pension scheme taken by the WCO. 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 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.
Interested candidates should submit their application for review no later than **6 March 2026** including a CV and cover letter in English or French by e-mail to: [**[email protected]**](mailto:[email protected]).
The subject line of the email should clearly indicate the name of the candidate.
The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the criteria of the position and the WCO applicable rules.
Appointment to this position is contingent upon the availability of funding.
## 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:
