Senior Interpreter/Political Assistant

Job Posting Organization:
The OSCE Mission to Moldova is an integral part of the Organization for security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), which was established to promote peace, stability, and democracy in the region. The mission focuses on facilitating dialogue and cooperation among various stakeholders in Moldova, particularly in the Transdniestrian region. The OSCE has been operational since 1992 and has a diverse workforce comprising individuals from various countries, working together to achieve common goals. The mission aims to support the political process, enhance security, and promote human rights and fundamental freedoms in Moldova. The OSCE operates in multiple countries across Europe, Central Asia, and North America, with a commitment to fostering international cooperation and understanding.

Job Overview:
The Senior Interpreter/Political Assistant position is crucial for providing high-quality translation and interpretation services between Russian and English for the OSCE Mission's leadership and visiting delegations. This role involves not only linguistic support but also contributing to the analysis of political and economic developments in the Transdniestrian region. The incumbent will be responsible for monitoring media, translating news, and preparing informative reports that are essential for the mission's operations. The position requires a proactive approach to gathering and distributing information that is relevant to the mission's objectives, ensuring that the leadership is well-informed about the current political landscape. The role also entails logistical support for organizing events and meetings, which are vital for the mission's engagement with various stakeholders.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Senior Interpreter/Political Assistant will have a diverse set of responsibilities, including:

• Providing English-Russian and Russian-English translation and interpretation services for the mission's leadership and visiting delegations.
• Preparing and translating correspondence, documents, publications, and other materials as required.
• Drafting analyses of political, economic, and media issues related to the Transdniestrian settlement process and internal developments in the region.
• Monitoring Transdniestrian media and compiling, translating, and distributing news from various sources relevant to the mission's activities.
• Assisting in organizing events, negotiation meetings, and official visits, including drafting memos on the outcomes of such events.
• Maintaining a library of relevant documents and assisting other mission programs as necessary. The incumbent will work under the supervision of the National Programme Officer and the Deputy Head of Mission, ensuring that all tasks align with the mission's strategic priorities.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess completed secondary education, supplemented by formal studies in modern languages and specialized training in translation and interpretation. A minimum of six years of working experience as an interpreter/translator is required, with some experience in political analysis and office administration, preferably within an international organization or embassy. A university degree in a relevant field may substitute for up to two years of working experience for eligibility purposes. Excellent oral and written communication skills in both English and Russian are mandatory, along with demonstrated gender awareness and sensitivity. The ability to work effectively in a diverse team environment while maintaining impartiality and objectivity is essential. Proficiency in Microsoft applications is also required.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a high school diploma or equivalent (GED), with additional formal studies in modern languages being highly desirable. Specialized training in translation and interpretation is also necessary to ensure the candidate can perform the duties effectively. A university degree in a relevant field may be considered beneficial and can substitute for some work experience, enhancing the candidate's eligibility for the role.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least six years of relevant working experience as an interpreter or translator. This experience should ideally include exposure to political analysis and office administration within an international context, such as working for an embassy or an international organization. The experience should demonstrate the candidate's ability to handle complex translation tasks and provide insightful analysis of political developments.

Languages:
Fluency in both English and Russian is mandatory for this position, as the role requires continuous translation and interpretation between these two languages. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset but is not a requirement for this position.

Additional Notes:
The position is a full-time, fixed-term contract with a monthly remuneration of EUR 1,342.75, which is exempt from taxation in Moldova. Social benefits include participation in the Cigna medical insurance scheme and the OSCE Provident Fund. The OSCE retains the discretion to re-advertise or cancel the vacancy and may offer appointments at different grades based on the candidate's experience. The OSCE is committed to diversity and inclusion and encourages candidates from various backgrounds to apply. The mandatory retirement age for contracted positions is 65 years, and candidates must be aware that the OSCE does not reimburse expenses related to the application process.