job at European Central Bank

Hi all,
Anyone suitably qualified (B and C languages and requisite experience) may be interested in the following. The email for enquiries is Sarah.Johns@ecb.int.

The Directorate General Secretariat and Language Services of the European Central Bank (ECB) is seeking experienced English Translators for short-term (up to 11 months) assignments in the English Translation and Editing Section of its Language Services Division in order to replace staff on leave.
The Language Services Division is responsible, inter alia, for preparing the ECB’s official publications and other materials in the 23 official EU languages in close collaboration with the national central banks. The selected candidate will join the Division’s team of English native-speaker linguists, who are responsible for editing texts written in English, proof-reading English typeset texts, producing translations into English, and second-checking in-house and outsourced editing and translation work. The materials handled by the team range from the ECB’s statutory publications (Annual Report, Monthly Bulletin, Convergence Report), to more technical materials for a specialist readership (Occasional Papers, articles and speeches), to general information addressed to the wider public (brochures on the ECB’s areas of competence, press releases, text for the ECB’s website, etc). In addition, the Division’s English native-speaker linguists translate materials received from external sources in languages other than English (such as correspondence or media reports on topical issues).

The specific tasks of the selected candidate will be:
• with a focus on effective communication, to edit ECB materials which have been drafted in English by native and non-native speakers, correcting errors of grammar, consistency and style (with reference to the ECB’s English Style Guide), and ensuring a high-quality finished product tailored to the target audience;
• to proof-read the English-language typeset versions of ECB materials which are destined for printed or electronic publication, in order to ensure the correct content and layout of the pre-print version;
• to produce high-quality translations into English of texts received from external sources which are of interest to the ECB (the selected candidate will be expected to be able to translate from one or more official EU languages);
• to second-check editing and translation work produced both externally and in-house;
• to contribute to the ongoing compilation and maintenance of the ECB’s terminology database;
• to contribute to the updating and developing of the English Style Guide;
• to help operate the Language Service Division’s annual internship scheme by assisting with the selection and mentoring of English mother-tongue intern translators.


Qualifications and experience
Minimum requirements
University degree or professional training:
• An advanced university degree (or equivalent qualification) in a relevant subject – preferably modern languages – or proven ability to perform the tasks commensurate with such a formal academic qualification is required.
• A Master's degree-level diploma in translation would be an advantage.
Professional experience:
• At least two years’ proven professional experience as a Translator working from one or more official EU languages into English, preferably in the economic or financial field, is required.
• Professional experience of editing and proofreading English-language materials would be an advantage.
• A sound background knowledge of economics and finance would be an asset.
• Familiarity with the central banking environment in general and the ECB in particular would be an advantage.

Skills needed:
Language skills:
• Perfect command of English, an excellent command of one official EU language and a very good command of at least one other is required.
• Knowledge of additional official EU languages would be an asset.
IT skills:
• Excellent PC skills and a very good knowledge of standard MS Office applications are essential.
• Familiarity with a terminology management package such as TRADOS MultiTerm and translation memory software such as TRADOS Translator’s Workbench would be an advantage.


Competencies
Work Style: The proven ability to use time effectively, to pay attention to detail and to work to tight deadlines are essential.
Interpersonal: The proven ability to communicate effectively, to collaborate with others to achieve common goals, and to work as part of a team in a multicultural environment are very important.
Motivational: Self-motivation, initiative and the proven ability to keep pace with change by learning new approaches and responding flexibly to the demands of the moment, are all behaviours that are important in this position.


Duration of contract / Closing date
The assignment will be offered on the basis of a short-term contract of 11 months, starting as soon as possible.
Closing date for applications: 13 April 2009.


Further information
Applications should be submitted online in English. The online form can be accessed by clicking on the relevant link below. All sections should be completed. If you have never applied electronically for one of our positions, please read our Applicants' Guide, which can be downloaded from the FAQs & Help page.
The recruitment process will include a pre-screening exercise, a written exercise and a panel interview.
The ECB offers attractive employment conditions, including a competitive net salary, family and non-family-related allowances, benefits on appointment and termination of service, a comprehensive medical, dental and accident plan, and its own pension scheme. Further information on the ECB Conditions of Employment can be found at http://www.ecb.europa.eu/ecb/jobsproc/jobs/html/index.en.html
Position band: F/G


Further Information
Further information about this position may be obtained from Ms Sarah Johns, Head of the Language Services Division, on extension 7451, and Ms Sarah Brophy, Head of the English Translation and Editing Section, on extension 7485.
The recruitment process will include a pre-screening exercise, a written exercise and a panel interview.
The status of ECB staff members holding permanent contracts will not be affected.
Position band: F/G

Closing date: 13 April 2009