Editor-Translator

DEFINITION OF THE POST

Under the supervision and guidance of the Head of the English Language Department, the incumbent edits documents drafted in English, produces summary records of proceedings for the Organization’s statutory meetings, and translates into English documents drafted in French or Spanish, relating to the Organization’s day-to-day activities and to the decisions to be taken by its governing bodies.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND ACTIVITIES

1: Editing

• Edit texts of a specialized or technical nature drafted in English in order to ensure accuracy, clarity, consistency and conformity with the Organization’s editorial standards, policy and practice.
• Carry out more extensive editing where required, including abridging and restructuring texts for greater readability and better logical sequence.
• Produce the revised master copy of a text to be followed by other Language Departments.
• Consult with author units and carry out research to clarify ambiguities and rectify substantive errors.
• Provide authors or others submitting documentation with information on specific aspects of editorial policy and practice and assist them in the preparation of documents.
• Perform occasional standby duties for statutory events (editing documents drafted in English).

2: Précis-writing

• Attend sessions of the Organization’s statutory meetings (at the General Secretariat in Lyon, France, and abroad) to take notes of the proceedings as required.
• Produce summary records of the proceedings according to agreed guidelines and standards (house style; number of words/pages per day’s meeting).
• Liaise with attendees/speakers/support teams to obtain clarification on any points where required.
• Proofread the final draft to ensure consistency and clarity of meaning.
• Provide follow-up and explanations to other Language Departments where necessary.

3: Translation

• As required, translate into English texts relating to a wide variety of subjects and varying greatly in terms of quality and style. In that context, provide, for revision, stylistically, grammatically and syntactically good translations that faithfully reflect the meaning or intention of the original. These should be in accordance with the spirit and style of the language of the Department, observing in-house usage and using the most appropriate vocabulary and specialized and technical terms. 
• May be required to work under pressure of tight deadlines, reconciling quality and speed, with a constant concern to deliver a sufficiently finished translation for revision and to indicate any problems that may not have been solved by means of the research carried out. Take part, as required and under supervision, in translation tasks requiring considerable flexibility as part of a team, particularly in connection with statutory meetings.
• Perform regular standby duties for the translation of Notices (French or Spanish to English) on a rotational basis with other members of the English Language Department.
• Devote time and effort to developing knowledge and improving skills in the fields covered by the English Language Department, gaining the full benefit from peer or managerial revision. Achieve and maintain proficiency in the digital tools and resources available in Language Services.

4:  Terminology

• Gather information on the relevant professional, specialist and technical areas, consulting specialists, reference works, technical dictionaries, terminology databases, and other sources.
• Enrich Language Services’ terminology and document resources by pooling, in accordance with instructions or guidance received, relevant information gathered, and the results of research carried out personally; in particular, create and update records in the terminology database.
• Contribute personally to the good flow of information and ideas within his or her own team and within Language Services as a whole.

5: Other tasks

• Perform such other duties as may be required.

QUALIFICATIONS, COMPETENCIES AND SKILLS

EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATION REQUIRED:

• Advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) in Translation, Linguistics, Modern Foreign Languages, or a related field.
• A first-level university degree with additional relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree.

EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

1. Minimum of three years’ experience in editing or translation;
2. Experience working with international organizations or governmental institutions is desirable;
3. Solid experience of working with IT applications, particularly Trados.

LANGUAGES:

• Perfect command of English as a mother tongue;
• Excellent knowledge of French and Spanish. 

SKILLS REQUIRED:

• Thoroughness and accuracy;
• Proficiency in working with computer-based applications, in particular Trados;
• Ability to grasp and deal with a wide variety of subject matters (law, IT, forensics, etc.);
• Excellent general knowledge given the wide range of areas covered.

SPECIAL APTITUDES REQUIRED:

• Personal and professional maturity;
• Strong communication and persuasion skills;
• Ability to maintain objectivity and apply logical reasoning;
• Ability to work in a team as well as individually;
• Ability to work under pressure;
• Excellent social skills, particularly in a multicultural environment;
• Initiative, creativity (original thinking) and intellectual curiosity;
• Ability to develop and maintain professional networks;
• Ability to synthesize ideas;
• Excellent listening skills;
• Strong sense of tact and diplomacy;
• Availability and flexibility.

Please note that the duty station for this role is Singapore (INTERPOL Global Complex for Innovation).