INTERPRETER

Organizational Context

The role is within the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), a UN regional commission established in 1948. ECLAC contributes to the region's economic and social development by designing policies, providing advisory services, and supporting cooperation. Interpreters report to the Conference Services Unit Supervisor and are placed on the ECLAC Roster for temporary English/Spanish assignments.

Job Purpose

The primary purpose of this Interpreter role at the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) is to facilitate effective communication by providing high-quality simultaneous interpretation from Spanish into English during official meetings and conferences. This ensures that all participants, regardless of their primary language, can fully engage with discussions on critical economic and social development issues pertinent to the region. Interpreters contribute significantly to ECLAC's mandate by enabling the seamless exchange of information, supporting policy design, and fostering regional and international cooperation. The role ensures that complex technical, political, and social discourse is accurately conveyed, upholding the integrity and clarity of proceedings. Successful candidates will be added to the ECLAC Roster for temporary assignments, occasionally leading interpretation teams for sensitive meetings, thereby directly supporting the organization's operational efficiency and its broader mission to advance regional development.

Responsibilities

The primary responsibilities for this Interpreter position involve delivering high-quality simultaneous interpretation services. This includes accurately interpreting speeches, presentations, and discussions from Spanish into English during a wide range of official meetings, conferences, and events organized by the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC). Interpreters must ensure that the meaning, tone, and nuances of the original message are faithfully conveyed, facilitating clear and effective communication among all participants. The role demands a strong command of both source and target languages, coupled with a broad understanding of the diverse subjects addressed by the United Nations, including political, social, legal, economic, financial, administrative, scientific, or technical matters. Furthermore, interpreters may be assigned to sensitive or high-profile meetings, requiring exceptional discretion and professional judgment. In such specialized assignments, there is a possibility of functioning as a team leader, coordinating and guiding other interpreters to ensure a cohesive and consistent interpretation output for the entire meeting. These duties are essential for supporting ECLAC's operational efficiency and its mandate to foster regional dialogue and cooperation.

Work Experience

At least two years of experience in a language position or a language-related job is required. Experience in booth interpretation is also mandatory. A minimum of 50 proven days of work in conference interpretation into English is desirable, specifically if an advanced degree in translation or a post-graduate diploma in Conference Interpretation is not held.

Skills

Professionalism (knowledge of diverse UN subjects, high-quality interpretation under stress, conscientiousness, persistence, calmness, gender perspective integration); Communication (clear and effective speaking/writing, active listening, appropriate responses, tailoring language, information sharing); Teamwork (collaboration, valuing input, willingness to learn, supporting group decisions, sharing credit, accepting joint responsibility).

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