Freelance Interpreters, Translators and Post-Editors/Proofreaders

Job Posting Organization:
The Organization for security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) is the world’s largest regional security organization, comprising 57 participating States. Established to foster peace, security, and stability in Europe, the OSCE operates on a consensus basis, ensuring that all member states have equal status in decision-making processes. The organization focuses on a range of issues including arms control, human rights, and conflict prevention, and it engages in various activities to promote dialogue and cooperation among its members. The OSCE Secretariat, which is the executive structure of the organization, plays a crucial role in supporting the implementation of OSCE commitments and facilitating communication among participating States. For more detailed information on the structure and work of the Secretariat, please visit the OSCE website.

Job Overview:
The primary objective of this assignment is to establish and maintain a roster of qualified freelance interpreters, translators, and post-editors/proofreaders who can provide high-quality linguistic services between English and Macedonian languages, and vice versa. This roster will serve as a pool of pre-vetted language professionals who may be engaged on Special Service Agreements as needed. The successful candidates will contribute to the effective implementation of the OSCE’s mandates by providing ad hoc, need-based services in various areas of expertise under the three OSCE dimensions: politico-military, economic and environmental, and human dimensions. The role requires delivering accurate interpretation during meetings and conferences, translating official documents, and providing post-editing and proofreading services to ensure the linguistic quality of the Organization’s communications.

Duties and Responsibilities:
Under the supervision of the Supervisor/Hiring Manager, the successful candidates will be responsible for providing simultaneous and/or consecutive interpretation services during OSCE meetings, conferences, and events. They must ensure accurate delivery that reflects the speaker’s intent and tone, prepare in advance by reviewing relevant materials, and maintain professionalism and confidentiality. Additionally, they will translate official documents and reports, ensuring linguistic accuracy and adherence to OSCE style standards. The role also involves post-editing and proofreading services, where candidates will review translated texts for grammatical and stylistic accuracy, ensuring consistency in terminology and tone. All deliverables must meet established deadlines and quality benchmarks, and candidates must be flexible and available for short-term assignments as required.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a first-level university degree in interpretation/translation studies, linguistics, or a related field, or a degree in areas relevant to the OSCE mandates with a mandatory professional certification in translation or interpretation. They should have an excellent command of both English and Macedonian, with one as a mother tongue and the other as an active language. A minimum of five years of professional experience in translation, interpretation, and post-editing/proofreading is required, preferably within international organizations or similar environments. Candidates must demonstrate proficiency in Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT) tools and have a proven ability to deliver high-quality translations under tight deadlines. Strong attention to detail, computer literacy, and excellent interpersonal skills are essential.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a first-level university degree in interpretation/translation studies, linguistics, or a related field. Alternatively, candidates may hold a degree in areas relevant to the OSCE’s three mandates, provided they also have a professional certification in translation or interpretation. This educational foundation is crucial for ensuring that candidates possess the necessary skills and knowledge to perform effectively in this role.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of five years of professional experience in translation, interpretation, and post-editing/proofreading. This experience should preferably be within international organizations, governmental institutions, or similar multicultural environments. For interpreters, a minimum of 30 working days of professional interpretation services over the past three years is required, with at least 10 active working days per year. This level of experience is essential to ensure that candidates can handle the complexities and demands of the assignments effectively.

Languages:
Candidates must have an excellent command of both English and Macedonian, with one language being their mother tongue and the other an active language. This bilingual proficiency is mandatory for the role, as the position requires accurate translation and interpretation between these two languages. Additional language skills may be considered an asset but are not mandatory.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy-based assignments will be issued on an as-needed basis, with the duration of each assignment varying depending on project requirements. Engagement under this roster does not constitute a continuous or full-time contractual arrangement, and there is no guarantee of assignments. Candidates are required to indicate their proposed rates for the services in the pre-screening section of the application. The OSCE reserves the right to determine the final remuneration based on qualifications, expertise, and the complexity of tasks. It is important for candidates to confirm in their application that they can provide services in their individual capacity, not as part of a business entity, unless specified otherwise. The OSCE is committed to diversity and inclusion and encourages qualified candidates from all backgrounds to apply.