1. SUMMARY

The incumbent will provide simultaneous (including whispering) and consecutive interpretation from and into English and French for meetings at NATO Headquarters (HQ) and on missions abroad to which he/she is assigned. He/she will also provide support to the Interpretation Service and assist in other activities as required by the Head, Interpretation Service.

2. QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

ESSENTIAL

The incumbent must:

• hold a university degree or equivalent, complemented by proven conference interpretation skills;
• have an exhaustive knowledge and command of both English and French;
• have several years' experience as a simultaneous conference interpreter, interpreting from English to French and French to English;

• have extensive knowledge, inter alia, of international relations, military and defence matters, economics, information and communication technology (ICT), administration, budgetary procedures, terminology and knowledge of key NATO figures pass the interpretation tests and interviews organised by NATO.

DESIRABLE

The following would be considered an advantage:

• both English and French as mother tongues (AIIC 'A' language);
• a degree in Conference Interpretation from a recognised institution.

3. MAIN ACCOUNTABILITIES

Planning and Execution

Prepare for meetings and interpret from and into the two official languages of the Organization at meetings in Brussels and on missions abroad, on a variety of subject matters that may be politically sensitive or highly complex, such as technical, political, economic, administrative and budgetary matters. Serve as team leader when on mission and when required.

Stakeholder Management

Engage clients, support staff, management and colleagues to develop and maintain effective working relations, to gather feedback, understand client requirements and actively assist in the Service's stakeholder management. Take part in team or independent initiatives to meet changing requirements.

Expertise Development

Improve on service delivery and quality control by developing and maintaining a thorough understanding of the Organization at large and its work (including processes and procedures, key figures and main issues, the full range of current affairs, budgetary, political, management, defence, military and other matters) as required, and participating in the Interpretation Service's training initiatives.

Knowledge Management

Play an active part in the continuing overall effort of the Interpretation Service by developing and updating glossaries, pooling terminology and by following up on the terminological and linguistic developments that occur in meetings.
Perform any other related duty as necessary.

4. INTERRELATIONSHIPS

The incumbent reports to a supervisor and, ultimately, to the Head, Interpretation Service, and will work on ad hoc Interpretation teams, maintaining close links with all members of the Service.

5. COMPETENCIES

The incumbent will demonstrate the following competencies:

• achievement;
• customer service orientation;
• empathy;
• flexibility;
• integrity;
• organisational awareness;
• self control;
• teamwork.

6. CONTRACT

The successful applicant will be offered an initial contract of three years' duration, which may be followed by an indefinite duration contract.

If the successful applicant is seconded from a national administration, public institution or the armed forces of a NATO member state, he or she will be offered a three year definite duration contract which, subject also to the agreement of the national authority concerned, may be renewed for a further period of up to three years. The maximum period of service in the post as a seconded staff member is six years.

Full information on the revised contract policy for staff who apply for posts advertised on or after 1st September 2007, including the criteria and procedures for the award of an indefinite duration contract, can be found under "Contract Policy" in the Recruitment Section of the NATO HQ Internet website www.nato.int/structur/recruit/working-for-nato.html.

Serving staff will be offered a contract in accordance with the contract policy which applies to them.

HOW TO APPLY

• Applications, indicating the staff vacancy number and job title, must be submitted using the NATO application form, which is available on the NATO web site at www.nato.int/structur/recruit/how-to-apply.html

• Closing date for applications: Friday, 2nd October 2009
• When returning the application form via email, a maximum of one attachment in A4 format using WORD may be included.

Please note that only applicants who succeed in the initial screening will receive a response. In order to follow the status of a vacancy please refer to the web page "update on previous vacancies" on the NATO web site at www.nato.int/structur/recruit/vacancies-upd.html

Due to the broad interest in NATO and the large number of potential candidates, telephone, email or telefax enquiries cannot be dealt with.

• Please note that we accept applications electronically without a photograph and without a signature at this stage in the process.

• Appointment will be subject to receipt of a security clearance (provided by the national Authorities of the selected candidate) and approval of the candidate's medical file by the NATO Medical Adviser and the Organization's insurers.
• Applicants who are not successful in this competition may be offered an appointment to another post of a similar nature, albeit at the same or a lower grade, provided they meet the necessary requirements.

NB: Please note that the International Staff at NATO Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium is a non-smoking environment.

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