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.
1. Organizational Context
a. Organizational Setting
The post is located in the PCT Translation Division in the Patents and Technology Sector. The PCT Translation Division is responsible for delivering high-quality publication-ready translation in relation to patent applications filed under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT). In particular, the PCT Translation Division is responsible for the translation of scientific, technical and legal documents, mainly the abstracts of international patent applications and scientific, technical and legal reports relating to the patentability of inventions.
b. Purpose Statement
As part of the English Translation Section (PCT), the incumbent is required to assess translation quality, respond to translation-related queries, translate and self-revise specialized scientific and technical texts, provide training to translators and novice revisers, participate in terminology compilation, select and assess translation tests, and be familiar with a wide variety of translation and terminology-related technology.
c. Reporting Lines
The incumbent works under the supervision of the Head of the English Translation Section (PCT).
d. Reporting Lines
The incumbent is expected to regularly collaborate with colleagues in other translation areas across the Organization.
2. Duties and Responsibilities
The incumbent will perform the following principal duties:
a. Assess the quality of translations provided by the Division's translation suppliers (internal and outsourced) in a wide range of scientific and technical subjects for accuracy of meaning and terminology; revise the translations of in-house translators as needed;
b. Provide authoritative guidance on a variety of translation-related issues to translation suppliers, including agencies, freelancers, and internal translators and revisers;
c. Translate, post-edit and self-revise texts in a wide range of scientific and technical subjects from French and Spanish into English, meeting the standards of quality, quantity and timeliness of the Division;
d. Train, mentor and provide feedback to translators, novice revisers, translation trainees (fellows) and contracted agencies in the translation of technical documents from French and Spanish into English and on the specifics of PCT Translation; contribute to the development of reusable training materials; prepare guidelines and reference materials for the improvement of quality; and provide input to the definition and implementation of quality assurance measures for the Division;
e. Participate in the compilation of the terminology database of the Division; identify potential subject fields requiring terminological research and support and conduct such research as requested;
f. Participate in the selection and assessment of translation tests to identify suitable candidates for employment and external translation providers;
g. Use, evaluate and make proposals for the improvement of computer-assisted translation, terminology and machine translation tools and keep informed of technical developments in these areas;
h. Perform other related duties as required.
3. Requirements
Education (Essential)
Advanced university degree in translation, modern languages, a technical or scientific field, or in a related field. A first-level university degree in one of the aforementioned subjects plus an additional two years of relevant professional experience in addition to the essential experience mentioned below may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.
Experience (Essential)
At least seven years of relevant professional experience, mainly in technical or scientific translation.
Experience (Desirable)
Experience in translation in a technical or scientific field, or in the field of intellectual property.
Language (Essential)
Mother-tongue level of English and excellent knowledge of French and Spanish (first translation languages).
Job Related Competencies (Essential)
Advanced translation, revision, editing, and quality assessment skills, with an ability to produce accurate and idiomatically correct translations in line with established translation guidelines.
Ability to give authoritative and meaningful feedback to others on translation.
Ability to grasp scientific, technical and legal issues in a wide variety of fields.
Ability to train and provide guidance to translators.
Good knowledge of translation technology and software tools that aid the translation process.
Ability to work accurately and respect strict deadlines.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and an ability to maintain effective partnerships and working relations in a multi-cultural environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
Job Related Competencies (Desirable)
Knowledge of the subject matter dealt with by WIPO.
4. Organizational Competencies
1. Communicating effectively.
2. Showing team spirit.
3. Demonstrating integrity.
4. Valuing diversity.
5. Producing results.