Job Opening at WIPO: Associate Interpretation Services Officer (P2) with up to USD 96,069 (Annual Total Remuneration)
Organization: World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)
Section: Interpretation Section, Language Division, Patents and Technology Sector
Duty Station: Geneva, Switz
Contract Type: Fixed-Term, Limited Term (2 years, renewable up to 5 years max)
Application Deadline: 21 August 2025, 10:59 PM (applicant’s local time)
Grade: P2
Annual Total Remuneration (Est.): USD 96,069 (including post adjustment as of July 2025)
Organizational Context
The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), a specialized UN agency, is seeking a dynamic and detail-oriented Associate Interpretation Services Officer to join its Interpretation Section within the Language Division of the Patents and Technology Sector.
The Language Division is responsible for ensuring the delivery of high-quality interpretation and translation services across WIPO’s diverse meetings and conferences. The Interpretation Section, in particular, coordinates interpretation for sessions of WIPO’s governing bodies, committees, and technical meetings across a multilingual, multicultural environment.
Role Purpose
The Associate Interpretation Services Officer plays a vital coordination and administrative role in the planning, budgeting, and operational management of interpretation services at WIPO. Working under the supervision of the Chief Interpreter, the incumbent is responsible for supporting a network of freelance interpreters, ensuring the timely and cost-efficient delivery of interpretation services, and contributing to high-level multilingual event execution.
This role is ideal for early-career professionals who are passionate about languages, conference management, and international cooperation, and who are ready to engage in a fast-paced, multilingual setting.
Duties and Responsibilities
Key responsibilities include:
- Coordination and Planning: Organize interpretation services for meetings by recruiting short-term interpreters based on language requirements, availability, and event needs. Maintain accurate tracking of expenditures and related data in financial and HR systems.
- Budget and Administrative Oversight: Assist the Chief Interpreter in verifying cost estimates and ensuring compliance with internal hiring processes. Oversee registration of pay slips and manage other administrative tasks related to interpretation.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Liaise with internal WIPO departments and external interpreters to ensure the seamless execution of meetings. Prepare and distribute reference materials and background documents to interpreters. Resolve operational issues during meetings, escalating complex cases as needed.
- Terminology and Documentation: Conduct interpretation-related research and maintain updated glossaries and terminology databases specific to WIPO bodies and technical meetings.
- Support for Virtual and Hybrid Meetings: Facilitate the smooth delivery of interpretation services in hybrid, virtual, and video-conferenced meetings. Support the integration of new interpretation technologies and services, including remote and sign language interpretation.
- Travel and Logistics: When required, manage logistical arrangements such as travel authorization, ticketing, visas, and processing of interpreter payments and claims.
- Research and Reporting: Contribute to analytical projects that support policy and operational decisions related to interpretation services.
- Service Quality: Promote a culture of high-quality, client-oriented service delivery across all interpretation activities.
Required Qualifications
- Education: First-level university degree in languages, conference/event management, public administration, or a related discipline.
- Experience: Minimum of three years of professional experience, including in language services. Experience in interpretation, translation, or multilingual event coordination is desirable, especially within an international organization.
- Languages:
- Essential: Excellent command of spoken and written English.
- Desirable: Good knowledge of Spanish and/or another official UN language (French, Arabic, Chinese, Russian).
Core Competencies
Candidates should demonstrate:
- Excellent organizational and time-management skills, with proven ability to work under pressure.
- Adaptability to evolving business needs and shifting schedules.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
- Excellent interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills.
- High standards of discretion, diplomacy, and client orientation.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools and the ability to quickly learn new systems and software platforms.
Organizational Values
The successful candidate should embody WIPO’s core competencies:
- Communicating Effectively
- Showing Team Spirit
- Demonstrating Integrity
- Valuing Diversity
- Producing Results
- Showing Service Orientation
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Seeking Change and Innovation
- Developing Yourself and Others
Additional Information
- Mobility Requirement: As an international civil servant, the selected candidate may be reassigned to other duties or duty stations within the Organization as required by the Director General.
- Renewal Conditions: The position is limited to a maximum of five cumulative years. After that term, internal candidates may apply for other WIPO positions.
- Encouragement of Diversity: Applications from qualified women and candidates from underrepresented or unrepresented member states are strongly encouraged.
- Verification: Shortlisted applicants must provide relevant educational credentials accredited in the WHED database
Apply by 21 August 2025 at 10:59 PM (applicant’s local time).
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Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the hiring organization. For any inquiries, please contact the hiring organization directly. Please do not send your applications to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.
