Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons vacancy search engine

Senior Linguist (French) (P-4)


Principal Functions

Under the Supervision of the Head, Language Services, the incumbent is responsible for:

  1. As the final authority for the specific official language in the OPCW, plan, organise, supervise and monitor interpretation, translation and revision work and terminology research within that language section including contractual translations. Allocate work to the section staff, assign staff to specific duties and control the quality and quantity of output;
  2. Formulate and develop guidelines governing the work of that language section;
  3. Revise and/or translate texts of highly sensitive political, confidential or technically complex nature, provide simultaneous and/or consecutive interpretation services;
  4. Advise on language matters to Secretariat staff and relevant delegations and make authoritative language determinations in that language;
  5. Evaluate the performance of staff within the section and ensure the best use of their knowledge and experience. Recommend action on personnel, budgetary, procedural and other matters relevant to the efficient functioning of the section. Liaise with relevant OPCW units on the provision of linguistic services;
  6. Strictly comply with the OPCW confidentiality regime and other relevant policy documents.

Knowledge and Experience

Education

Essential 

Must hold an advanced degree or equivalent qualification in languages (translation and interpretation) from a university or institution of equivalent status. A first level university degree in combination with qualifying experience (minimum 9 years) in areas languages translation and interpretation may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience

Essential

A minimum of seven years (with an advanced university degree) or nine years (with a first university degree) of continuous translation and interpretation experience, preferably within the United Nations system.

Skills and Abilities (key competencies)

  1. Thorough knowledge of the Chemical Weapons Convention and related disarmament and technical issues as well as an understanding of international affairs is desirable;
  2. Effective management skills, with good planning and team building capacities;
  3. Tact and discretion, particularly the ability to work within a confidentiality regime and a diplomatic environment;
  4. Knowledge and ability to work with word processing equipment (Windows-compatible programmes);
  5. Knowledge and ability to translate and interpret highly specialised technical subjects.

Language Requirements

A perfect command of the French, which must be a first working language. An excellent knowledge of English and one other language of the Organisation (Arabic, Chinese, Russian, Spanish) is also required.  Knowledge of additional languages is desirable.