Programmes & Events Policy & Advocacy Administration Human Resources Full-time Deputy Director, Implementation Support
World Customs Organization Posted on 01.10.2025 Deadline26.10.2025 €10,889/month (est.)
World Customs Organization is looking for a Deputy Director, Implementation Support 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 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.
In June 2024, WCO Council approved a modernization plan for the Organization, which included a restructuring designed to address challenges identified by Members and the Secretariat. As of 1 July 2025, two technical Directorates operate under the broad supervision of the Secretary General. The Policy and Standards Directorate holds responsibility for developing WCO policy and standards, while the Implementation and Capacity Development Directorate is responsible for supporting implementation of the said policies and standards through capacity delivery, coordination of international operations and technical assistance.
Short Description of the Vacant Position The Implementation and Capacity Development Directorate is led by a Director and is comprised of two Sub-Directorates: Implementation Support and Capacity Delivery, each managed by a Deputy Director. The Implementation Support Sub-Directorate is tasked with overseeing the full capacity building lifecycle, from needs assessment to performance measurement and quality assurance. Implementation of WCO instruments, tools and standards is a fundamental part of the Directorate's work, directly responding to the policy developed by the Policy and Standards Directorate.
As a member of the Directorate management team and the WCO senior management team, the Deputy Director, Implementation Support contributes to ensuring effective, collaborative and coherent leadership across the WCO. They lead the Sub-Directorate management team and oversee all activities within the Sub-Directorate.
The Deputy Director manages two Heads of Unit, responsible for the day-to-day management of the Needs Assessment & Strategic Support Unit and the Expert Mobilization & Curriculum Management Unit, as well as the staff working in the Performance Measurement & Quality Assurance Unit.
This position would suit an experienced people leader with a passion for professionalism in global capacity building and a motivation to contribute actively to the modernization and leadership of the WCO.
Main Accountabilities Leadership As a member of the Directorate management team and the WCO senior management team, contribute to ensuring effective, collaborative and coherent leadership across the WCO.
Lead the Sub-Directorate management team and oversee all activities within the Sub-Directorate.
Assume direct responsibility and accountability for the timely completion of the Strategic Plan programmes and key performance indicators (KPIs) falling within the scope of the Sub-Directorate, within allocated budget and resources.
Manage Heads of Unit in accordance with the WCO's values, Staff Manuals and policies, including management of leave and attendance, recruitment, onboarding, offboarding and associated knowledge transfer, as well as staff welfare, in liaison with the Human Resources (HR) Service and other relevant services, as required.
Provide guidance and direction to Heads of Unit, ensuring ongoing two-way feedback, setting objectives and development plans, conducting annual performance evaluations, and identifying opportunities for development.
Ensure effective communication and knowledge-sharing within the Sub-Directorate and in coordination with other Deputy Directors in the WCO.
Manage and oversee participation in conferences, seminars and events for the Sub-Directorate.
Implementation Support Provide strategic leadership and set direction in maintaining, evolving, and championing the WCO Capacity Building Paradigm to ensure it remains agile, future-ready, and aligned with emerging global priorities, integrating cutting-edge concepts and methodologies that respond to the evolving needs of Members.
Direct work on the analysis of Members' capacity-building needs and delivery planning of related technical assistance and capacity-building support, informed by best practise and developments within Member administrations, international organisations and other relevant actors in this domain.
Recommend programmes and approaches based on diagnostic and performance information to ensure that the WCO remains responsive to Members' needs.
Ensure proper performance measurement and quality assurance of the assistance delivered to Members.
Direct work on professional development programmes, development and delivery of blended learning, and production of training materials (including e-learning content).
Direct the development, implementation and maintenance of the Expert Management and Deployment Policy and related training materials.
Provide leadership, management direction and support to staff in the Sub-Directorate in the planning and management of meetings of the WCO working bodies in the Sub-Directorate's area of responsibility, including the Capacity Building Committee, Global Meeting of the Regional Entities and the Performance Measurement Mechanism Project Team.
Contribute to the accomplishment of tasks by other relevant WCO working bodies, in particular by drawing up agendas and drafting reports.
Represent the WCO at international fora and in meetings with Members, relevant partners and stakeholders.
Ensure effective coordination between the Sub-Directorate and relevant services in the WCO (e.g. Stakeholder Engagement Office, Project Management Office, Communications Service, Accounting Service, etc.).
Contribute to effective liaison with Member administrations, other international organizations, non-governmental organizations and the private sector.
Ensure collaboration with WCO regional entities and support for specified programmes, while supporting wider WCO work on regionalisation.
General Deputize for the Director and provide back-up for the other Deputy Director in the Directorate, 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 A minimum of an undergraduate degree in a relevant field or an equivalent combination of education, training and/or experience.
Experience and Essential Qualifications Minimum 8 years of relevant professional experience with responsibilities equivalent to those carried by the post.
Experience working for or with international organizations with responsibilities equivalent to those carried by the post.
Demonstrable interest in the strategic objectives and modernization of the WCO.
Management experience, preferably in middle- to senior-level administrative positions within Customs and demonstrated ability to develop high-performing teams and use resources effectively to accomplish organizational objectives.
Extensive experience in, and demonstratable understanding of working internationally in the provision of sustainable capacity building.
Excellent inter-personal skills, intercultural awareness and the ability to work effectively with staff and stakeholders.
Strong analytical skills and proven experience in working effectively under pressure in a multicultural and cross-institutional environment.
Good knowledge of computer applications and information systems, in particular MS Office.
Additional Desirable but Non-Essential Qualifications Knowledge of project management principles, proven by a relevant certification, is considered an advantage.
Experience of developing organizational approaches to professional development and familiarity with theories of learning and development.
Good knowledge of the WCO's policies and priorities, as well as of its administrative practices and procedures.
Languages English and French are the official languages of the WCO. The successful candidate must be fluent in at least one of the official languages and ideally possess good working knowledge of the other official language.
Contract and Conditions Staff member under WCO contract of five (5) years (renewable 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 A5, step 1; amount of 10,889.40 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. If a candidate is related to a current WCO staff member (spouse, father, mother, son, daughter, brother or sister), they are required to specifically 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 CVs and/or in their cover letters, as well as to 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 their application.
The subject line of the email sent by each candidate should clearly indicate the job vacancy for which they are applying.
Interested candidates may submit a request for additional information via email, providing their full name and contact details.
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.
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.
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