Associate Interpretation Services Officer

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING APPLICATION DEADLINE: Please note that the deadline for applications is indicated in local time as per the time zone of the applicant’s location.

This post is a limited-term fixed-term post.

1.      Organizational Context

a.    Organizational Setting

The position of Associate Interpretation Services Officer is located in the Interpretation Section of the Language Division, Patents and Technology Sector. The Language Division is responsible for delivering comprehensive and high-quality language services in relation to: the translation of treaties and other international instruments administered by WIPO, national legislative texts, documents for the Assemblies of Member States, publications, reports of meetings and conferences and working documents for committees of experts and other bodies; and the provision of interpretation services for the meetings of the WIPO Assemblies, committees and meetings organized by the various sectors.

b.    Purpose Statement

The Associate Interpretation Services Officer coordinates and monitors technical and administrative functions to support the Interpretation Section.  In consultation with the Chief Interpreter, liaises with WIPO's extensive network of short-term conference interpreters, supporting and coordinating the planning of interpretation services for meetings and conferences.

c.    Reporting Lines

The incumbent works under the supervision of the Head of the Interpretation Section (Chief Interpreter).

2.      Duties and Responsibilities

The incumbent will perform the following principal duties:

a.   Provide interpretation support for WIPO internal and external meetings and conferences, including completing recruitment and budgeting processes for the hiring of short-term interpreters for WIPO meetings on the basis of requisite language skills, availability, and business needs; monitoring and maintaining expenditure and other financial and/or personnel-related information systems.

b.   Provide support to the Chief Interpreter in ensuring the cost-efficient use of interpretation capacity; help ensure hiring processes of short-term interpreters are followed. Assist in the verification of cost estimates and perform the registration of pay slips, efficiently manage other related administrative tasks.

c.   Consult and support internal stakeholders in the preparation and implementation of activities for and during meetings and conferences; compile and provide interpreters with background information and documents, and any other activities needed to support interpreters; document, address, follow up on, and resolve issues, escalating complex issues to the Head of Section.

d.   Carry out interpretation documentation research; create and update glossaries and assume responsibility for the Section's reference materials pertaining to WIPO bodies and meetings.

e.   Carry out a variety of research assignments, projects and topics to help inform management decision-making on interpretation services.

f.    Ensure the smooth running of interpretation services during videoconferences, hybrid and virtual meetings, including supporting other developments such as the need for remote interpretation and the provision of sign language interpretation, and coordinate administrative, logistical, or technical requirements during videoconference sessions.

g.   Provide logistical support (payments, travel arrangements, travel authorizations, claims, visas, tickets, etc.) when necessary.

h.   Foster a culture of providing high-quality customer-focused services.

i.    Perform other related duties as required.

3.      Requirements

Education (Essential)

First-level university degree, preferably in languages management, business administration, or other relevant disciplines.

Experience (Essential)

At least three years of relevant professional work experience, including experience in language-related services.

Experience (Desirable)

Experience in a language-related area, preferably interpretation, translation, or multilingual event management.

Experience acquired in international organizations.

Language (Essential)

Excellent written and spoken knowledge of English.

Language (Desirable)

Good knowledge of Spanish and/or other UN languages.