Senior Linguist (French) (P-4)

Position Remarks

This fixed-term appointment is for a duration of two years with a six-month probationary period, and is subject to the OPCW Staff Regulations and Interim Staff Rules, as applicable. The OPCW is a non-career organisation with limited staff tenure. The Director-General retains the discretion not to make any appointment to this vacancy, to make an appointment at a lower grade, or to make an appointment with a modified job description. Several vacancies may be filled.

Principal Functions

Under the supervision of the Head, Language Services Branch, and in accordance with the OPCW Core Values of Integrity, Professionalism and Respect for Diversity/Gender Equality, the incumbent performs the following duties:

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.
7. Perform other duties as required.

Knowledge and Skills

Education (Qualifications):
Essential:
An advanced university degree or equivalent qualification in a relevant language (translation and interpretation) from a recognized institution of equivalent status. A first level university degree in combination with qualifying experience (minimum 9 years) in relevant language translation and interpretation may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

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

Experience

Essential: At least seven years with an advanced university degree (at least nine years with a first- level university degree) of continuous translation and preferably interpretation experience, preferably within the United Nations system.

Languages

A perfect command of the French language, both written and spoken, which must be a first language. An excellent knowledge of English is also required and a sound knowledge of at least one other official language of the Organisation (Arabic, Chinese, French, Spanish).

Salary Remarks

Total annual salary consists of a net annual salary (net of taxes and before medical insurance and provident fund deductions) in US$ and a post adjustment. The post adjustment (cost of living allowance) is variable and subject to change without notice in accordance with the rates as set within the UN Common System for salaries and allowances. The figure quoted on the right, is based on the March 2018 rate of 43.7%.