Interpreter/Translator (Perm. Mission - Geneva)

AU Values

• Respect for Diversity and Team Work • Think Africa Above all

• Transparency and Accountability • Integrity and Impartiality

• Efficiency and Professionalism • Information and Knowledge Sharing

Organization Information

Reports to: Permanent Representative
Directorate/Department/Organ: Cabinet of the Chairperson
Division: Permanent Delegation of the African Union to the UN and Other International Organization in Geneva
Number of Direct Reports: 0
Number of Indirect Reports: 0
Job Grade: P4
Number of Positions: 1
Contract Type: Regular
Location: Geneva, Switzerland

Purpose of Job

Under the supervision of the Permanent Representative, the Interpreter/Translator translates documents and other material from one language to another; and/or translates spoken passages from one language to another during seminars, symposia, teleconferences, and/or meetings. He/She expresses either approximate or exact translation, depending upon the nature of the occasion.

Main Functions

• Provide technical and intellectual support in the management of translation and interpretation services within the Permanent Mission;
• Identify best practices and monitor effectiveness to ensure efficiency within the operations of the Permanent Mission;
• Contribute to the development of the Permanent Mission’s strategy and business continuity plan and participate in/ensure their implementation;
• Foster and ensure implementation of large-scale and long-term initiatives related to his/her functional area and general operation of the Mission;
• Support the organization of thematic networks, consultations and meetings on development cooperation and international relations, in his/her functional area.

Specific Responsibilities

• Provide proper, clear, faithful interpretation from two (or more) AUC working languages into one or more AUC working language during various conferences and meetings of the Permanent Delegation using standard, clear and accurate language;
• Ensure quality translation and interpretation working documents on a wide range of subject matters in a timely manner and in the respective AU working languages;
• Check working documents before and after translation to ensure contextual understanding, linguistic accuracy and conformity with established AU terminology;
• Keep abreast with developments in both the source and target languages by compiling and regularly up-dating specific terminologies, phrases, special expressions, nuances, lexicons and acronyms and special expressions in order to widen the stock of vocabulary with the aim of enhancing skills and ability;
• Regularly consult colleagues, specialised dictionaries, glossaries, data banks;
• Participate in the development of AU terminology database by compiling terms in the course of their work into glossaries for subsequent validation by the Reviser and inclusion in the Directorate of Conference Management and Publication s (DCMP) in-house terminology bank;
• Provide simultaneous, consecutive, liaison and other forms of interpretation and translation during conferences, meetings, audiences, discussions up on required;
• Help develop terminology/lexicons of the AU;
• Check appropriate references to ensure exact understanding and use of AU technical terminologies;
• Translate and interpret properly documents from one of the AUC working languages into the AU working languages, ensuring the highest standard of accuracy and maintaining the spirit, context, quality, technical language and nuances of the original version, using precise, clear and proper terminology. Carries out translation and provides support in all interpretation related activities when required;
• Read manuscripts with an editorial eye, giving attention to syntax, grammar, style and presentation, inconsistencies or missing parts in the documents and if any passages are still particularly difficult to understand, carryout some light copy editing;
• Check and revise all texts translated from other AUC working languages into English, French according to the original, to ensure accurate (terminology, style, etc.) and meaningful translation;
• Perform any other duty relevant to their work as may be assigned by the office.

Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience

• Master’s Degree in Translation/Interpretation, Modern Languages, Conference Services, Linguistics, Interpretations or related fields with ten (10) years of progressive relevant experience in interpretation and translation in which six (6) years should be at specialist/expertise level and three (3) years at supervisory level.
  OR
• University Bachelor’s degree in Translation/Interpretation, Modern Languages, Conference Services, Linguistics, Interpretations or related fields with twelve (12) years of progressive experience in interpretation and translation in which six (6) years should be at specialist/expertise level and three (3) years at supervisory level.
• Professional certification in interpretation field will be an added value.

Required Skills

• Proficiency in a minimum two of the AU official working languages is required (Arabic, English, French, Kiswahili, Portuguese and Spanish), with particular focus on English and French. Fluency in a third language is an added advantage;
• Sound interpretation skills to translate in several languages (English to French; French to English; French to Arabic or Arabic to English/French; etc). Preference is attached to English-French and French-English, as a priority. Proficiency in other languages and related technical skills are an important asset;
• Excellent knowledge of interpretation/ translation procedures and practices;
• Familiarity with international and regional policy processes and policy analysis in the relevant area;
• Capacity to work under pressure and to adapt rapidly to changing requirement while maintaining a high level of quality;
• Computer skills (Webinars’ software);
• Communication, report writing and presentation skills;
• Research and analytical skills;
• Interpersonal and negotiation skills;
• Ability to work in teams and in a multi-cultural environment; exposure to a diplomatic work environment is highly preferred;
• Knowledge of interpretation procedures and practices;
• Knowledge of international policies and strategies;
• Knowledge and working understanding of AU policies, systems and standards is an asset;
• Planning and organization skills.

Leadership Competencies

Core Competencies

Functional Competencies

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TENURE OF APPOINTMENT:

The appointment will be made on a regular term contract for a period of three (3) years, of which the first twelve months shall be considered as a probationary period. Thereafter, the contract will be for a period of three years renewable, subject to satisfactory performance and deliverables.

GENDER MAINSTREAMING:

The AU Commission is an equal opportunity employer and qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply.

LANGUAGES:

Proficiency in one of the AU working languages (Arabic, English, French, Kiswahili, Portuguese, and Spanish) is mandatory and fluency in another AU language is an added advantage

REMUNERATION:

Indicative basic salary of US$ 42,879.00 (P4 Step 1) per annum plus other related entitlements e.g. Post adjustment (64% of basic salary), Housing allowance US$ 34,444.80 (per annum), and education allowance (100% of tuition and other education-related expenses for every eligible dependent up to a maximum of US$ 10,000.00 per child per annum), for internationally recruited staff and a maximum of $3,300 per child per annum for locally recruited staff.

Applications must be submitted no later than October 30, 2026 11h59 p.m. EAT.

-Only candidates who meet all job requirements and are selected for interviews will be contacted.
-Consideration will be given only to those candidates who have submitted a fully completed online application with a curriculum vitae (CV), an African passport, and the required academic qualifications, such as Diplomas (Bac+2), Bachelor's degrees (Bac+3), Master's degrees (Bac+5) and any relevant certificate in line with the area of expertise.
-The African Union is an equal opportunity employer, and female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
-Candidates from least represented and underrepresented countries within the African Union are strongly encouraged to apply for positions that fit their profiles.

Least represented countries: Algeria, Angola, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Comoros, Congo, DR Congo, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Morocco, Namibia, Sao Tome & Princepe, Seychelles, Somalia and Western Sahara.

Under represented countries: Mozambique, Niger, South Africa, South Sudan and Tunisia.