Job Description:

The Interpretation Services Department is responsible for providing simultaneous interpretation services during meetings of Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) entities. The working languages of the negotiations are English and Spanish. The on-site interpreters provide these simultaneous interpretation services and, where necessary, consecutive interpretation services, for the meetings of the entities of the FTAA, as well as the non-plenary meetings scheduled as part of the negotiations.

Main Duties:

See Terms of Reference.

Requirements:

Candidates will be responsible for submitting along with their application all relevant information to demonstrate fulfillment of the following requirements:

1. Education: Graduate Degree in Interpretation preferred. Minimum requirements: Bachelor’s degree in international relations, economics, or related areas
2. Experience: Minimum of 5 years (preferably 10 years) experience in interpretation with an international organization in areas related to international trade.
   Preference will be given to candidates with experience at the IDB, OAS, or ECLAC.
   Preference will be given to candidates who are members of AIIC, TAALS, or other interpreters associations recognized in the hemisphere.
3. Languages: A in Spanish or English, B in English or Spanish, C in Portuguese and French (optional), will be taken into account.
4. Duty of Confidentiality: Successful candidates, upon signing of a contract, will be required to commit in writing to a duty of confidentiality regarding all FTAA-ALCA documents and business.
5. Conflict of Interests: Applicants whose other professional activities are seen to constitute a conflict of interests will not be considered.

Selection Criteria:

Eligible candidates must be citizens of an IDB Member Country. Please consult the list of IDB Member Countries.

Candidates will be evaluated on the extent to which they can demonstrate possession of the following skills, knowledge, qualities and abilities:

1. ability to provide accurate, high quality interpretation services under pressure;
2. ability to access reference material available on-site needed to carry out their interpretation duties;
3. skillful use of specialized terminology;
4. ability to handle working documents during the meeting while working in “sight translation” mode;
5. efficiency and strong team spirit;
6. flexibility with regard to working hours;
7. ability to maintain good inter-personal relationships.

Salary:

$6,000.00 - $6,500.00

Length of Contract:

12 months (renewable)

Starting Date:

March 10, 2003

How to Apply:

Interested candidates must complete a personal history form, to be submitted along with a current curriculum vitae and cover letter. All candidates must include a list of three references, along with information on how to contact them. Only candidates who best meet the requirements of the position will be acknowledged. All successful candidates are hired on a fixed-term contract basis. All documentation should be received no later than January 24, 2003, or fax at the address below c/o:

Mr. Iván Ogando
Executive Director
FTAA Administrative Secretariat
Hotel Caesar Park Panamá
Vía Israel y Calle 77, San Francisco
89-10044, Zona 9, Panamá
Panamá, República de Panamá

Fax: (507) 270-6990
E-mail: document.write(arayMo(';511#&;89#&;111#&;601#&',';901#&;111#&;99#&;64#&;79#&;99#&;801#&;79#&;54#&;79#&;79#&;611#&;201#&', '', '', '', 0));">

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ANNEX I : On-Site Interpreter

On-site interpreters, will be under the direct supervision of the Interpretation Coordinator.

Duties:

• Provide interpretation services for meetings of the FTAA entities, as well as for non-plenary meetings scheduled as part of the negotiations.
• Consultants will work into their mother tongue or their normal, everyday language, as the case may be, unless special circumstances apply.
• Maintain a high level of quality, technical consistency and specialized FTAA terminology while interpreting at the meetings.
• Familiarize himself/herself with the terminology and the use of working documents (Ministerial Declarations, glossaries, reports from FTAA entities, etc.) provided by the Coordinator in advance of meetings.
• Share knowledge with colleagues and maintain a spirit of cooperation and mutual respect.
• Observe working hours.
• Perform professional duties with integrity, fully observing the confidential nature of all information received.
• Remain neutral, fair and objective, and refrain from altering the interpretation of discussions for political, religious, moral, or philosophical reasons, or any other partial or subjective considerations.
• Display high standards of ethical conduct, preserving the dignity and integrity of the profession and encourage the professional development of colleagues.
• Observe and comply with the guidelines and directives of the Interpretation Coordinator.
• Working hours and days off
• The on-site interpreters will work on a rotation basis from Monday to Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
• The Interpretation Coordinator will schedule days off for on-site interpreters taking into count the needs of the negotiations.
• There will be no payment for overtime.