Senior Linguist (Arabic)
Post Level P-4 Closing Date 24 March 2010 (-128 days left)
Vacancy Ref E-PMO/LSB/SLA/P-4/F0047/01/01-10 This appointment is for a three-year duration with a six-month probationary period. 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.
This post is available as of 1 August 2010.
Branch Language Services Branch
Division Secretariat for the Policy-Making Organs
Date 25 January 2010
Principal Functions Requirements

As the final authority for the Arabic language in the OPCW and under the supervision of the Head, Language Services the incumbent performs the following duties:

• Plan, organise, supervise and monitor interpretation, translation and revision work and terminology research within the Arabic language section, including contractual translations as well as contacts with outside experts and counterparts in other organisations to determine best practices. Allocate work to the section staff, assign staff to specific duties, and control the quality and quantity of output;

• Formulate and develop guidelines governing the work of the Arabic language section;

• Revise and/or translate texts which can be highly sensitive because of their political or confidential nature, or technically complex. Provide simultaneous and consecutive interpretation services at headquarters or off-site, as required;

• Provide advice on Arabic language matters to Secretariat staff and relevant delegations and make authoritative language determinations in Arabic language;

• Evaluate the performance of staff within the section, ensuring the best use of their knowledge and experience. Recommend action on matters related to recruitment of short-term and permanent staff for the section, as well as on training, procedures, and other matters relevant to the efficient functioning of the Branch and section. Liaise with relevant units of the Secretariat on the provision of Arabic linguistic services;

• Strictly comply with the OPCW confidentiality regime and other relevant policy documents;

• Perform other duties as required.
 		Knowledge and Skills

• A degree or equivalent qualification in languages (translation and interpretation) from a university or institution of equivalent status;

• Knowledge and ability to translate and interpret highly specialised technical subjects;

• Knowledge and ability to work with word processing equipment (Windows-compatible programmes);

• Basic management skills and team-building capacities;

• Ability to work under pressure to meet tight deadlines, when required;

• Thorough knowledge of the Chemical Weapons Convention and related disarmament and technical issues as well as an understanding of international affairs is desirable.
Experience
• A minimum of ten years of continuous translation and interpretation experience, preferably within the United Nations system.
Languages
A perfect command of Arabic, which must be a mother tongue. An excellent knowledge of English and one other language of the Organisation (French, Chinese, Russian, Spanish).
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 January 2010 rate of 61.1%.

With Dependants

No Dependants

Annual Salary (USD) $71,393 $66,482
Post Adjustment $43,621 $40,620
Total Salary $115,014 $107,102
Currency USD
CANDIDATES ARE STRONGLY ADVISED TO USE ONLY THE NEW ONLINE APPLICATION SYSTEM.
Interested applicants who do not have internet access, and are unable to submit an application online at www.opcw.org, may complete the OPCW Personal History Form and send it via fax, no. +31 (0)70 4163790, or mail.
Only applications received before the closing date will be considered.
Only applicants under serious consideration for a post will be contacted.
Applications from qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged.