Editorial Assistant (Roster)

Job Posting Organization:
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for regulating shipping. Established in 1948, the IMO has a mission to promote safe, secure, and efficient shipping on clean oceans. The organization operates globally, with a presence in over 170 countries and a workforce that includes a diverse group of professionals dedicated to maritime safety and environmental protection. The IMO aims to create a regulatory framework for the shipping industry that is fair and effective, universally adopted and implemented, and that addresses the challenges of the maritime sector.

Job Overview:
The IMO is seeking to establish a roster of temporary Editorial Assistants who will provide full-time linguistic and editorial support across its six language units: English, French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, and Russian. The primary function of this role is to ensure the accuracy and quality of documents processed by the organization. Editorial Assistants will be assigned to specific language units based on their language proficiency, which must be at a mother-tongue level. The role is designed to create a pool of qualified professionals who can be called upon as needed to fill temporary positions, thereby enhancing the efficiency of the organization in meeting its editorial needs. Inclusion in the roster does not guarantee employment but allows candidates to be considered for future openings as they arise.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Editorial Assistant will be responsible for a variety of tasks under the guidance of the Supervisor of the Document Processing Unit for their assigned language. Key responsibilities include proofreading texts for accuracy and quality, editing and formatting documents, verifying grammar and syntax, liaising with editors and translators to resolve discrepancies, ensuring all components of documents are accurately reflected, aligning bilingual texts for translation memory maintenance, converting texts into various formats, handling high volumes of documentation, and working night shifts or overtime as required. Additionally, the Editorial Assistant may be tasked with other duties to support the Document Processing Unit's effective functioning, including routine office responsibilities.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must demonstrate thoroughness and attention to detail, the ability to organize and prioritize tasks under pressure, a sense of initiative, and the capacity to work independently. A positive and adaptable approach is essential, particularly for managing a work cycle that may involve late hours. The ability to work effectively in a multicultural environment and establish relationships with stakeholders at all levels is also required.

Educational Background:
A secondary education or equivalent to university entrance standard is essential for this position. While a university degree in a relevant subject may be considered in lieu of two years of experience, it is not a strict requirement. The focus is on the candidate's ability to perform the tasks required effectively.

Experience:
A minimum of four years of relevant experience is required for this position. Candidates with a university degree in a relevant field may have two years of experience waived, allowing them to qualify with less professional experience. This experience should ideally be in a similar editorial or linguistic support role, demonstrating the ability to handle the responsibilities outlined in the job description.

Languages:
Candidates must have an excellent command of one of the six official IMO languages (English, French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, or Russian) at a mother-tongue standard, with a strong knowledge of grammar and spelling. Proficiency in English, both written and oral, is also required. Knowledge of any additional official UN language would be considered an asset, enhancing the candidate's profile for this role.

Additional Notes:
The position is a temporary contract limited to a period of up to one year, with contracts issued quarterly based on funding, role requirements, and performance. Hybrid working arrangements are available, and candidates must have the right to work in the UK. It is important for applicants to be immediately available or have a short-notice period. The salary for this position is £2,689 net per calendar month, which is free of income tax in the UK.