Conference Interpreter

Company Description
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is an international organisation comprised of 38 member countries, that works to build better policies for better lives. Our mission is to promote policies that will improve the economic and social well-being of people around the world. Together with governments, policy makers and citizens, we work on establishing evidence-based international standards, and finding solutions to a range of social, economic and environmental challenges. From improving economic performance and creating jobs to fostering strong education and fighting international tax evasion, we provide a unique forum and knowledge hub for data and analysis, exchange of experiences, best-practice sharing, and advice on public policies and international standard-setting.

THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTORATE (EXD)
The Executive Directorate (EXD) is the steward of OECD resources, on behalf of the Secretary-General. Our focus is on people and their wellbeing; the effective and efficient management of the budget; the safety and security of staff, Delegations, visitors, and of the OECD's data; maintaining and sustaining physical and digital infrastructure; and enabling the convening power of the OECD through conferences, meetings and events, whether virtual, physical or hybrid. As well as providing corporate services, functions and management support to our staff and Members, we provide integrated, strategic and expert advice on corporate policies and management issues to the Secretary-General, to Council and to Standing Committees, to which we regularly report on corporate matters. We also provide risk management functions (for management areas under our purview). Ours is a fast-paced environment focused on delivering management excellence across all our functions.

THE CONFERENCE, SECURITY AND INFRASTRUCTURE SERVICE (EXD/CSI)
Situated within the OECD's Executive Directorate, the Conference, Security, and Infrastructure Service (EXD/CSI) manages the OECD's infrastructure, ensuring the seamless operation of essential services that support the Organisation's daily functioning. This includes managing conference services for in-person, hybrid, and virtual events; providing interpretation and translation in official and other languages; ensuring safety through robust security systems and infrastructure maintenance; promoting awareness of security, event management, and occupational health; delivering travel services for international missions; and maintaining efficient, sustainable workspaces. EXD/CSI also oversees facilities management, including cleaning and building maintenance ensuring a secure, functional, and sustainable environment for OECD staff, Members, and visitors.

THE POSITION
Within EXD/CSI/CSD, the Interpretation Service (INT) is key to upholding the multilingual nature of the OECD and its Secretariat, ensuring smooth communication and understanding among all stakeholders. INT comprises eleven staff interpreters and two assistants and works with a roster of freelance interpreters.

INT is looking for one conference interpreter who will provide interpretation services of the highest quality in both official languages of the OECD: from French into English, from English into French, and where applicable from another passive language into English or French. The selected candidate will work mainly in simultaneous mode and occasionally in consecutive and will report directly to the Chief Interpreter. S/He will be expected to provide support and assist in interpretation-related activities as required, under the supervision of the Chief Interpreter.

Main Responsibilities
Interpretation

• Interpret consecutively and simultaneously in the two official languages of the Organisation (English and French), as well as from another passive language, at high level, very technical and often sensitive meetings.
• Act as an intermediary between the Interpretation Service and the organisers to supervise the material and technical organisation of meetings with interpretation.
• As team leader, coordinate and supervise large teams of (freelance) interpreters for multilingual or high-level events.
• Provide background information and feedback to help interpreters familiarise themselves with OECD subjects and relevant terminology, as well as guidance and coaching to junior interpreters.
• Provide feedback on the performance of freelance interpreters (quality control)
• Assist in the screening, training and examining of prospective interpreters with the same language combination by maintaining a strong presence in the wider interpretation network.
• Assist the Chief Interpreter and his Deputy with all activities related to the provision of interpretation services as needed.
• Demonstrate flexibility and strong drive for teamwork.

Knowledge management

• Keep abreast of developments in all subject areas of the Organisation's work.
• Prepare thoroughly each assignment in the booth through extensive study of all OECD documents and other related material for discussion at meetings with specialists in a very wide array of subject areas.
• Develop, update and disseminate glossaries in an effort to provide linguistic and technical accuracy as well as standardised terminology across teams of interpreters.
• Keep informed of technological developments related to interpretation and collaborate with the Secretariat to promote the use of new technologies as appropriate.

Ideal Candidate Profile
Academic Background

• An advanced university degree in conference interpretation or equivalent professional qualification.
• An advanced university degree or qualification in a subject relevant to the Organisation's work would be an advantage

Professional Background

• At least 8 to 10 years experience as a professional conference interpreter in an international and intergovernmental context at high-level meetings.
• Experience in coordination of interpretation services and/or active involvement in professional bodies would be an advantage.
• Experience in training and coaching interpreter trainees and junior interpreters, as well as in grading interpretation exams and assessing freelance colleagues' performance
• Experience working in a multicultural environment would be an advantage.

Tools

• Proven experience in interpretation on remote-conferencing platforms (RSI), notably Zoom.
• Proven experience in the use of one or more IT tools for in-booth document and terminology retrieval would be an advantage.
• Ability to adapt to new systems.
• Working knowledge of basic computer applications such as Microsoft Office.

Languages

• Outstanding oral and written knowledge of the two OECD official languages (English and French) and proven interpreter competence in both.
• Knowledge and interpreter competence in one other language relevant to the Organisation's work (e.g. Spanish, Portuguese, German, Italian, Chinese, Russian, etc.) will be a major advantage.
• Evaluation of qualified candidates will include an assessment exercise in simultaneous, followed by an interview for those shortlisted.

Core Competencies

• OECD staff are expected to demonstrate behaviours aligned to six core competencies which will be assessed as part of this hiring processes: Vision and Strategy (Level 2); Enable People (Level 3); Ethics and Integrity (Level 3); Collaboration and Horizontality (Level 2); Achieve Results (Level 3); Innovate and Embrace Change (Level 2).
• To learn more about the definitions for each competency for levels 1-3, please refer to the OECD Core Competency Framework.

Contract
Duration

• 24 month fixed-term appointment, with the possibility of renewal to a maximum of 36 months.

What the OECD offers

• Monthly base salary starting from EUR (full-time), plus allowances based on eligibility, exempt of French income tax.
• Click here to consult the Staff Regulations applicable to officials of the OECD. Please note that from 1 July 2025, all Official appointments will be made under the OECD's new contractual modalities.
• Click here to learn more about what we offer and why the OECD is a great place to work.
• Click here to browse our People Management Guidebook and learn more about all aspects relating to people at the OECD, our workplace environment and many other policies supporting staff in their daily life.
• Please note that the appointment may be made at a lower grade based on the qualifications and professional experience of the selected applicant.

Additional Information
Closing date

• This vacancy will be filled as soon as possible, and applications should reach us no later than midnight 11 December 2025 (Paris time).

Selection process
For retained candidates, the selection process may include a video interview, a position-based written assessment and panel interviews and a booth assessment.

The OECD is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes the applications of all qualified candidates who are nationals of OECD Member countries, irrespective of their racial or ethnic origin, opinions or beliefs, gender, sexual orientation, health or disabilities. The OECD promotes an optimal use of resources to improve its efficiency and effectiveness. Staff members are encouraged to actively contribute to this goal.