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Translator (AD, CAST)
Translators in the various EU institutions and bodies, working in a challenging, multi-cultural environment, help 500 million Europeans, in 27 different EU countries understand EU policies. EU linguists play an essential role in the development of EU policy and legislation, and support and strengthen multilingual communication in Europe.
Working to some strict deadlines, the job may involve:
- translating a broad range of policital, legal, financial, scientific and technical texts
- providing wide-ranging linguistic advice to colleagues.
Translators may also be employed as contract staff for a fixed term.
Qualifications (indicative)
You must have:
- perfect command of one European language and a thorough command of at least 2 others (one of your languages must be English, French or German)
- a degree in any discipline
Selection procedure for permanent contracts
After you have applied online, we will invite you to take multiple-choice tests focusing on your verbal, numerical and abstract reasoning skills in your main language as well as reading comprehension tests in your second and third languages.
If you pass, you will be invited to an assessment centre in Brussels [not in the case of contract staff – see Contract staff selection ] where we can meet you and find out more about your skills in translating, and in the following general competencies:
- analysis and problem-solving
- communication
- delivery quality and results
- learning and development skills
- prioritising and organising
- resilience
- working with others
- leadership.
These will be assessed on the basis of practical translation exercises as well as a group exercise, an oral presentation and a structured interview, in English, French or German.
Podcast: Life as an EU Official - Translation
Videos: (EN, LT, MT, HU, PL, SK)
Translating for Europe: http://www.facebook.com/translatingforeurope
More on the selection procedure: Permanent contracts
See also our Traineehips page for information on translation traineeships.
Commission: http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/translation/workwithus/trainee/index_en.htm
Parliament: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/parliament/public/staticDisplay.do?language=EN&id=147
Council: http://consilium.europa.eu/contacts/traineeships-office/traineeships.aspx?lang=en
See our temporary contracts page for information on working as a freelance translator.
Commission: http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/translation/workwithus/calls/index_en.htm
Court of Justice: http://curia.europa.eu/jcms/jcms/Jo2_10741/direction-generale-de-la-traduction-collaborateurs-free-lance
Conference interpreter (AD 5-7)
The EU institutions' interpreting service is the largest in the world – its conference interpreters ensure that the discussions held at meetings are correcty interpreted into an official language of the EU, using either simultaneous or consecutive interpreting.
EU interpreters work in a stimulating, multi-cultural environment, and must be able to
- communicate effectively
- grasp varied and often complex issues
- react and adapt swiftly to changing circumstances
- work under pressure, independently and as part of a team.
Qualifications (indicative)
You must have:
- perfect command of one European language and a thorough command of at least 2 others (one of your languages must be English, French or German)
- an appropriate qualification in conference interpreting or a degree plus one year's professional experience as a conference interpreter
- several years’ relevant experience, to join us at a more senior level (Grade AD 7).
Selection procedure (indicative)
After you have applied online, we will invite you to take a multiple-choice test of your verbal, numerical and abstract reasoning.
If you pass, you will be invited to an assessment centre in Brussels where we can meet you and find out more about your skills in interpreting and in the following general competencies:
- analysis and problem-solving
- communication
- delivery quality and results
- learning and development skills
- prioritising and organising
- resilience
- working with others
- leadership.
These will be assessed on the basis of simultaneous and consecutive interpreting exercises in your chosen languages, a group exercise, oral presentation and structured interview, in English, French or German.
More on the selection procedure: Permanent contracts
See also our Traineehips page for information on traineeships for interpreters.
Court of Justice: http://curia.europa.eu/jcms/jcms/Jo2_7008/
See also our temporary contracts page for information on working as a freelance interpreter
Link to SCIC/Interpreting for Europe for freelance opportunities:http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/scic/become-an-interpreter/interpret-for-dg-interpretation/index_en.htm#anchor3
http://europa.eu/interpretation/accreditation_en.htm
Proof reader / Language Editor (AST)
Working under supervision, proofreaders in the publications office are expected to proofread manuscripts in their native language. This involves:
- preparing manuscripts in terms of style and typography
- proofreading printers' proofs
- delivering the "passed for press" order
- participating in the design of publications
- helping to organise and monitor the production processes involved in publication.
Proofreaders (language editors) in the Court of Justice assist in preparing texts to be published in the Court Reports. This involves:
- linguistic checking and editing of documents for publication
- checking texts agains the originals, which are usually in French
- checking for compliance with style conventions and rules;
- preparing issues of the Court Reports for printing and finalising texts in typographical terms.
Qualifications (indicative)
You must have:
- perfect command of one European language and a thorough command of a second (one of your languages must be English, French or German). For the Court of Justice, you must have at least a passive knowledge of French.
- either
- post-secondary education and at least 2 years' relevant professional experience, or
- secondary education and at least 5 years' professional experience.
Selection procedure
After you have applied online and if your application fits the profile, we will invite you to an assessment centre in Luxembourg where we can meet you and find out more about your proofreading skills and skills in:
- analysis and problem-solving
- communication
- delivery quality and results
- learning and development skills
- prioritising and organising
- resilience
- working with others
These will be assessed on the basis of practical proofreading tests, a group exercise and a structured interview. Your verbal, numerical and abstract reasoning skills will also be tested.
More on the selection procedure: Permanent contracts
Lawyer-linguist (AD 7)
EU lawyer-linguists have a vital role in lawmaking, ensuring that all new legislation has the same meaning in every European language.
The job requires capable lawyers with outstanding linguistic abilities, who are experienced in drafting or translating, checking or revising legal texts. Lawyer-linguists must be able to discern precisely what EU legislation is intended to convey, and faithfully reflect that intention in their own native language.
Qualifications (indicative)
You must have:
- perfect command of one European language and a thorough command of at least 2 others
- a law degree
Previous experience of translating legal texts and additional languages are an asset.
Selection procedure (indicative)
After you have applied online and if your application fits the profile, we will invite you to take a computer-based preliminary translation test.
If you pass, you will be invited to an assessment centre in Luxembourg where we can meet you and find out more about your translation skills, legal and language knowledge and your general competencies in:
- analysis and problem-solving
- communication
- delivery quality and results
- learning and development skills
- prioritising and organising
- resilience
- working with others
- leadership.
These will be assessed on the basis of translation tests, group exercises, oral presentations and structured interviews. Your verbal, numerical and abstract reasoning skills will also be tested.
More on the selection procedure: Permanent contracts
See also the website of the Court of Justice for temporary contract opportunities: http://curia.europa.eu/jcms/jcms/Jo2_10298/postes-vacants
