Translator (English Language)

Posting Title: Translator (English Language), P3

Job Code Title: Translator

Organization: International Court of Justice (ICJ)

Duty Station: The Hague, Netherlands

Posting Period: 18 July 2023 - 05 September 2023

Job Opening Number: 23-Administration-ICJ-214192-R-The Hague (R)

Staffing Exercise: N/A

United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is in the Department of Linguistic Matters of the International Court of Justice, The Hague, Netherlands.

(Note: The deadline to receive applications is based on the New York time and not the Hague or European time)

Responsibilities

Working under the overall supervision of the Head of Department and the direct supervision of a Translator/Reviser (English language) (P-4), the incumbent will perform the following duties and responsibilities:

- translate, from French into English, Court documents such as case pleadings, verbatim records of Court hearings, draft orders and judgments, judges’ notes and opinions, diplomatic correspondence, minutes of Court meetings, internal notes and memos, press releases, etc;

- provide linguistic assistance to other Registry departments, including checking and editing documents drafted in English;

- conduct terminological research, working with other departments and divisions to make and document terminology choices, taking account of language/editorial trends and developments where appropriate;

- perform such administrative tasks as may be assigned by the Head of Department.

Competencies

- Professionalism:
Ensures high standard of accuracy, consistency and faithfulness to the spirit, style and nuances of the original text; must have excellent writing and editorial skills; ability to use all sources of references, consultation and information relevant to the text at hand; ability to work under pressure and maintain adequate speed and volume of output; demonstrates high level of versatility, judgement and discretion; shows pride in work and achievements; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations.

- Teamwork:
Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

- Accountability:
Delivers output within prescribed time and in accordance with quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for own shortcomings.

- Commitment to continuous learning:
Keeps abreast of new developments in own occupation/profession; actively seeks to develop professionally, contributes to the learning of colleagues and subordinates; shows willingness to learn from others; seeks feedback to learn and improve.

- Technological awareness:
Keeps abreast of available technology; understands applicability and limitations of technology to the work of the office; actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks; shows willingness to learn new technology.

Education

University degree in modern languages, translation and/or law;

Work Experience

- At least two years’ experience as a translator, preferably in an international organization or national institution, is required.

- Experience in translating texts covering a broad range of subjects similar to those dealt with by the International Court of Justice is required.

- Experience in reviewing and editing documents, including texts drafted by authors whose main language is not English, is required.

Languages

English and French are the official and working languages of the Court. A perfect command of English, which must be the candidate’s main language, and an excellent knowledge of French are required.

Assessment

The assessment of qualified candidates will include written tests and an interview.

Special Notice

Remuneration: Depending on professional background, experience and family situation, a competitive compensation and benefits package is offered.

The Court’s salaries are calculated in US dollars but may be paid in euros. They consist of a basic salary and a post adjustment which reflects the cost of living in the Netherlands and the euro/dollar exchange rate.

In addition, the Court offers an attractive benefits package including 30 days of annual leave, home travel every two years, an education grant for dependent children, a pension plan and subsidized medical insurance.

The Court is an equal opportunity employer and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons with disabilities, to apply to become a staff member.

The selected candidate may be subject to security clearance, including verification of the information provided and a criminal record check. All candidates should be prepared to submit an electronic copy of their passport and all diplomas listed on their profile when requested.

The Registrar reserves the right not to appoint any candidate to the post, or to appoint one at a lower level or on the basis of a modified job description. Applications that are found by the Court to meet the above criteria may be added to a reserve list in case a similar vacancy arises in the future.

Please note that the fourth paragraph of the UN considerations below does not apply to the job openings of the International Court of Justice.

United Nations Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.

Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process.

The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.

The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.

Apply Now