Pipeline - Freelance Language Specialists (Translators/Revisers/Editors/PrÃcis-writers)

Job Description

Organization

MTCD-Division of Conference and Document Services

Primary Location

Field (i.e. outside regular IAEA duty station)

Other Locations

Austria

Job Posting

2026-09-11, 6:30:48 AM

Closing Date

2026-09-25, 9:59:00 PM

Organizational Setting

The Department of Management (MT) provides a ‘platform of services’ that serves as a foundation for the successful delivery of the IAEA’s scientific and technical programmes. Its mission statement is as follows: “MT is a partner and a business enabler that champions change and efficiency, leveraging a common purpose”. Thus, among other support activities, it assists a scientific manager in recruiting the right expert, helps a technical officer coordinate the purchase of radiation equipment, and ensures that all Board documents are translated and distributed on a timely basis to Member States.

One of the main functions assigned to the IAEA by its Statute is to foster the exchange of scientific and technical information and the dissemination of knowledge in the nuclear field among Member States. To facilitate the effective exchange and dissemination of information relevant to the IAEA's work and mandate, the Division of Conference and Document Services coordinates and supports the implementation of these activities for its users and clients, both internal and external, by organising meetings and conferences, issuing documents in Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish, and editing, printing and distributing publications.

The MTCD Language Services Section (LSS) is responsible for coordinating, managing and delivering language services for the Agency. The Section promotes multilingualism and maintains language standards of the organization through editing and translation of Policy-Making Organ (PMO) documents, incoming and outgoing Secretariat documents and correspondence, web articles and advocacy material,Agency publications and other content.

The purpose of this pipeline announcement is to enhance the Agency’s roster of highly specialized language specialists (translators, revisers, editors and précis-writers). Under the guidance of the relevant Language Service Head, the incumbent language specialist translates or revises a range of administrative, legal, economic, scientific and technical texts, specifically in the fields of nuclear technology and applications, nuclear safety and security, safeguards and verifications, physics and engineering; edits such documents; and/or drafts official records of Policy-Making Organ meetings.

Talent Profile

The language specialist provides accurate, timely and stylistically appropriate translations/revisions of texts from Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish into English or from English into one of the following languages: Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish; edits such documents to ensure consistency of style and terminology, as well as clarity of content; and/or drafts official records of Policy-Making Organ meetings. Occasionally, the translation/revision of texts from German or other languages into English is required. The incumbent's work may be checked in-house before being finalized for distribution to Member States and/or members of the Secretariat. Language specialists will be granted access to relevant reference material and to the IAEA terminology database, IAEAterm.

Key Results Expected

• To translate a broad range of administrative, legal, scientific and technical texts ensuring that translations are equivalent in meaning and style to the original content:from English into one of the following languages: Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish, or from Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish, along with German and other languages, into English.
• To edit a broad range of administrative, legal, scientific and technical content.
• To draft summary records of official Policy-Making Organs (PMO) meetings.
• To research terminology to assist in the development of the central terminology database.
• To perform any other linguistic duties, as required .

Education, Experience and Language Skills

• University degree in languages or a related field; degrees in other fields will be considered, as appropriate.
• Excellent oral and written command of official United Nations languages (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, and Spanish) with a profound knowledge of their grammar, style and usage, or other languages, is essential.

Relevant experience in translating, revising, editing and/or drafting scientific and technical texts into these languages, specifically in the nuclear field and/or in an international organization, is a strong asset.

• Knowledge and experience in using Microsoft Office software and IT translation tools, in particular Trados Studio and Multiterm, is required.
• Familiarity with the IAEA and its operations is an asset.
• Testing might be part of the selection process.

Organizational Core and Functional Competencies

• Planning and organization
• Teamwork
• Achieving results
• Communication
• Knowledge sharing and learning
• Judgement/decision making
• Commitment to continuous process improvement
• Client orientation

Applications from candidates from developing countries are encouraged

Applicants should be aware that IAEA staff members are international civil servants and may not accept instructions from any other authority. The IAEA is committed to applying the highest ethical standards in carrying out its mandate. As part of the United Nations common system, the IAEA subscribes to the following core ethical standards (or values): Integrity , Professionalism and Respect for diversity . The IAEA retains the discretion not to make any appointment to this vacancy, to make an appointment at a lower grade or with a different contract type, or to make an appointment with a modified job description or for shorter duration than indicated above. Testing may be part of the recruitment process.