Senior Translator Specialists
(English and Spanish Translator/Reviser)
Location: Headquarters, Washington, D.C.
The IDB Group is a community of diverse, versatile, and passionate people who come together on a journey to improve lives in Latin America and the Caribbean. Our people find purpose and do what they love in an inclusive, collaborative, agile, and rewarding environment.
About this position
We are seeking two highly skilled and motivated Senior Translator/Reviser Specialists. One will translate from Spanish and either French or Portuguese (preferably both) into English, and the other will translate from English and either French or Portuguese (preferably both) into Spanish.
You will join the Translation and Documentation Section, the official translation service for the IDB Group. The Section is responsible for delivering high-quality language and documentation services to support the organizationโs diverse and multilingual environment.
What you will do:
Ensure translations are accurate, consistent, and follow IDB Group guidelines. Maintain clarity and cultural relevance, meet deadlines, and handle complex terminology through research and consultation. Translate a wide range of documents from Spanish/English, French, and/or Portuguese into English/Spanish, applying a high standard of linguistic and stylistic quality, within established deadlines. Make effective use of relevant language technologies and tools and assist the Chief of the Translation and Documentation Section in promoting their utilization. Engage collaboratively with other members of the Section to coordinate workload and ensure timely delivery of all translations assigned to the Section. Contribute to in-house terminology files and style guides, collaborate with experts to validate terms, and lead efforts to identify new terminology and set standards. Build enduring relationships with a large and active roster of freelance translators, providing them with technical guidance and feedback, and responding to queries on specific projects, and conduct periodic roster reviews. Help to prepare and grade exams, onboard new translators, and mentor junior staff to help them develop technical expertise. Provide on-demand advice to IDB Group staff on effective use of language and technical terminology. Continuously seek to learn and develop own skills and knowledge relevant to the job. Work independently with limited oversight and provide input to the Chief on special projects and activities. Lead team membersโ efforts to collect and analyze data, as appropriate, as input for data-โdriven planning, decision-making, presentations and reporting. Acquire the necessary knowledge on administrative, workflow, Bank policies, and Section-specific procedures to be able to act on behalf of the Section Chief as needed. Perform other related duties as required.What you will need:
Education: Masterโs degree or equivalent, preferably in translation. Substantive professional knowledge in finance, economics, international development, and/or law will be considered a plus. Experience: At least seven (7) years of full-time experience in translation, and in the use of relevant language technologies, is required. Of these, four (4) years of experience in an international organization or a similar setting is desirable. At least three (3) years of experience revising translations done by others is required. Languages: Native written command of English/Spanish (depending on the position), coupled with an excellent in-depth knowledge of Spanish/English and at least one, but preferably both, of the IDB Groupโs two other official languages (French and Portuguese).Candidates must be available to take a written competitive examination to assess their ability to leverage language fluency and knowledge of the IDB Group environment.
Key skills
Learn continuously. Collaborate and share knowledge. Focus on clients. Communicate and influence. Innovate and try new things.Requirements
Citizenship: You are a citizen of one of our 48-member countries. We may offer assistance with relocation and visa applications for you and your eligible dependents. Consanguinity: You have no family members (up to the fourth degree of consanguinity and second degree of affinity, including spouse) working at the IDB, IDB Invest, or IDB Lab.Type of contract and duration
International staff contract, 36 months initially, renewable upon mutual agreement.What we offer
The IDB Group provides benefits that respond to the different needs and moments of an employeeโs life. These benefits include:
A competitive compensation package, including an annual base salary expressed on a net-of-tax basis. Leaves and vacations: 24 days of paid time off + 8 personal days + sick leave + gender- neutral parental leave. Health Insurance: IDB Group provides employees and eligible dependents with a robust medical benefits program that covers medical, dental, vision, preventive care, and prescription drugs. Pension plan: defined-benefit pension plan that provides financial security and supports employees in planning for their future. We offer assistance with relocation and visa applications for you and your family when it applies. Hybrid and flexible work schedules. Health and well-being: Access to our Health Services Center that provides preventive care and health education for employees. Development support: We offer tools to boost your professional profile, such as mentoring, 1:1 professional counseling, training and learning opportunities, language classes, mobility options, among others. Other perks: Lactation Room, Daycare Center, Gym, Bike Racks, Parking, Spouse Career Program, and others.Our culture
At the IDB Group, we work so everyone can bring their best and authentic selves to work, is willing to try new approaches without fear, and is accountable and rewarded for their actions.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) are at the center of our organization. We celebrate all dimensions of diversity and encourage women, LGBTQ+ people, persons with disabilities, Afro-descendants, and Indigenous people to apply.