24288 | Registry

A roster of suitable candidates may be established for this post as a result of this selection process for fixed-term appointments against both established posts and positions funded by general temporary assistance (GTA).

Organisational Context

The Language Services Section (LSS) provides high-quality language services to the organs of the Court for the efficient conduct of Court business. Such services include translation, revision and editing of Court documents; consecutive and simultaneous interpretation for meetings, trial hearings, press conferences, specialized seminars, diplomatic briefings and other events, held in-house or away from the seat of the Court; assistance and guidance regarding terminology and references; management of language tools to ensure that consistent terminology is used throughout the Court; recruitment, training and accreditation of interpreters needed for work with Registry officials in the field and/or at the seat of the Court; provision of relevant information to service users to familiarize them with all the language services provided and with the procedures and requirements of the professions in question.

Duties and Responsibilities:

The Associate Translator (English) will work under the direct supervision of the Head of the English Translation Unit/Senior Reviser (English) and under the general guidance of the Reviser(s) of the English Translation Unit. The incumbent will be expected to:

• Produce translations covering a wide variety of topics including but not limited to legal, political, military, medical, forensic, technical, administrative, financial and human rights matters, ensuring that they meet a high standard of accuracy and faithfulness and are appropriate in terms of grammar, usage, readability, register, style and terminology, within prescribed time limits, subject to revision;
• Carry out and document appropriate terminological and other research to ensure the accuracy and faithfulness of translations;
• Contribute to the Section’s terminological records to facilitate the work of the Section and the rest of the Court;
• Edit texts produced in English by other Sections of the Court to ensure correct grammar, usage, readability, register, style and terminology;
• Proofread the work of other translators;
• As and when required, participate in the coordination of translation projects by, inter alia, checking the consistency of longer texts involving more than one translator, harmonizing terminology and identifying recurring passages;
• Contribute to improvements in the work of the Unit and Section by participating in relevant projects.

Essential Qualifications

Education:

An advanced university degree in translation, languages, law or a related field. A first‑level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience is accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

A minimum of two years of progressively responsible professional experience (four years with a first-level university degree) as a translator, preferably in an international organization.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of the relevant languages at a high level of proficiency;
• Knowledge of translation techniques and research methods;
• Knowledge of cultures and politics in relevant countries;
• Knowledge of international criminal justice, current affairs and politics;
• Knowledge of language tools and IT applications;
• Knowledge of specialist subjects relevant to translation at the Court, namely legal, political, military, medical, forensic, human rights, administrative, financial and others;
• Knowledge of legal concepts in general and international legal instruments in particular;
• Concentration, diligence and attention to detail;
• Analytical skills;
• Intellectual curiosity, motivation and initiative;
• Communication skills;
• Team work and ability to work consistently under pressure;
• Organizational skills;
• Tact, discretion, diplomatic skills, multicultural awareness.

Knowledge of Languages:

Mother-tongue proficiency in English and a high level of proficiency in French is required. Knowledge of another official language of the Court (Arabic, Chinese, Russian, Spanish), Dutch or another language relevant to Court business would be considered an asset.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to take a translation test.