Job mission

Under the authority of the Head of the Interpretation Department, the post-holder will provide simultaneous as well as consecutive interpretation in the official languages of the Council of Europe: from French into English and from English into French.

Key Activities

The post holder performs all or a combination of the following duties:

• provides simultaneous as well as consecutive interpreting for meetings, assemblies, court proceedings, field missions, bilateral conversations, including those of a technical, political or legal nature;
• facilitates communication through use of correct spoken language (multicultural mediation and within the correct political, legal, social, cultural or other settings);
• renders the message faithfully, excluding personal opinions; conveys the content and spirit of the speaker, uses the language most readily understood by the person(s) being served;
• works perfectly in line with all his or her colleague(s);
• keeps all assignment-related information strictly confidential; respecting ethical codes for interpreters;
• performs background research necessary to the accurate understanding of subject matters;
• provides input for terminology databases, development of lexicons, glossaries;
• provides sound linguistic advice; helping/coaching interpreter colleagues;
• keeps linguistic knowledge up to date; develops technical jargon;
• keeps abreast with new fields of interest within the Organisation;
• keeps abreast with the linguistic needs of the client departments or units;
• promotes Council of Europe values internally and externally;
• reports to Manager on the status and progress of activities and if problems occur.
  In addition, the post-holder carries out the following specific activities:
• acts as team leader for meetings in Strasbourg as well as for ministerial conferences or other outside meetings;
• replaces the Head Interpreter in his/her absence.

Competencies

Vision on international affairs:
vision and strategic insight; awareness of the international political, economic, social and cultural context, organisational awareness.

Professional and technical competencies:

• full university degree, preferably with a post-graduate qualification in interpreting or degree course in interpreting;
• preferably fully bilingual English/French, or failing this, of English mother tongue with a perfect command of French;
• confirmed experience interpreting from French into English and English into French for international organisations;
• professional expertise: has advanced knowledge of source and target language, its terminology and including regional or dialectical varieties, has interpreting experience; understands typical jargon of specific/specialised work fields (legal, finance, media, medical, etc.); understands purpose, concept, content and interest of oral communication, has a broad knowledge of the activities and procedures of the Council of Europe;
• ICT skills: has sound computer skills for standard tools in office applications; including terminology and specific computer tools;
• planning and work organisation;
• information-seeking;
• analytical thinking.

Interpersonal skills:
service and client orientation, teamwork and co-operation; relationship-building.

Personal attitudes:
initiative and responsibility, result orientation and sense of continuous improvement, concern for quality, efficiency and accuracy, adaptability, self-management and development.

Personal values:
integrity, loyalty and conscience, discretion, independence and confidence, respect for diversity.

Language Requirements

Preferably fully bilingual English/French, or failing this, of English mother tongue with a perferably command of French.

Additional Information

The Organisation
The Council of Europe is a political organisation founded in 1949 in order to promote greater unity between its members. It now numbers 47 member States.  The Organisation's main aims are to promote democracy, human rights and the rule of law, and to develop common responses to political, social, cultural and legal challenges in its member States.  Since 1989 it has integrated most of the countries of Central and Eastern Europe and supported them in their efforts to implement and consolidate their reforms. The Council of Europe has its permanent headquarters in Strasbourg (France).  By Statute, it has two constituent organs: the Committee of Ministers, composed of the member States' Ministers for Foreign Affairs, and the Parliamentary Assembly, comprising delegations from the national parliaments.  The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of Europe represents the entities of local and regional self-government within the member States. The European Court of Human Rights is the judicial body competent to adjudicate complaints brought against a state by individuals, associations or other contracting states on grounds of violation of the European Convention on Human Rights.

Applications

Applications must be made in English or French using the Council of Europe on-line application system.  By connecting to our website http://www.coe-recruitment.com you can create and submit your on-line application.  Applications must be submitted by 28 August 2009 (midnight French time) at the latest.

Additional Information

The recruitment procedure consists of three stages: preliminary selection, practical test and interview with the Appointments Board (external recruitment procedure organised in accordance with Article 15 of the Regulations on Appointments).
Appointments will be made at grade LI3. The first two years of employment will constitute a probationary period. The compulsory retirement age is 65.
Following this competition, a reserve list of successful candidates, in order of merit, may be established. It will be notified to the applicants concerned. This list will be valid for two years with the possibility of extending it to a maximum of four years. During the period of validity of the reserve list, candidates on the list may be offered employment of indefinite or fixed-term duration, should a permanent post or a fixed-term position corresponding to candidates' qualifications become vacant. It should be noted that placement on a reserve list does not give candidates the right to an appointment within the Council of Europe. Moreover, the choice of candidates from a reserve list is not only made solely according to the order of merit.
The total length of employment under fixed-term contracts will not exceed five years.
Details on conditions of employment including salaries, allowances, pension scheme and social insurance can be consulted on our recruitment website.
Under its equal opportunities policy, the Council of Europe is aiming to achieve parity in the number of women and men employed in each category and grade.
The Council of Europe welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates, irrespective of gender, disability, marital or parental status, racial, ethnic or social origin, colour, religion, belief or sexual orientation.
During the different stages of the recruitment procedure, specific measures may be taken to ensure equal opportunities for candidates with disabilities.