Translator in the Spanish Sector

Are you interested in a position where you will use your language skills daily? Would you fancy working in a directorate that serves two separate European Union (EU) institutions, where you will familiarise yourself with different EU projects and policies?

Translator in the Spanish Sector

Official – Administrator

Detail of the vacancy notice

• Directorate: Directorate for Translation
• Management: no
• Unit: Spanish, Portuguese and Romanian Translation
• Secteur: Spanish Translation
• Grade: AD5-AD12
• Type of post: Publication under Article 29(1)(a), (b) and (c) of the Staff Regulations
• Deadline: 26 June 2025 at noon (Brussels time)

Your job and responsibilities

As a translator in the Spanish language sector, you will translate often complex documents, covering all spheres of EU activity, into Spanish from at least two EU official languages within the set deadlines.

You will be responsible for ensuring a high level of quality, by producing complete, precise and linguistically correct translations that preserve the meaning, essence and aim of the original documents.

You will revise, check and assess translations produced by your colleagues and external service providers. You will also carry out terminological research using, among other things, the various documentary and terminological databases available, and will contribute to the terminology work of the Spanish language sector and the Directorate for Translation (DT).

You may be expected to carry out other specific tasks in the Spanish language sector (e.g., correcting and editing original documents, acting as the team's IT superuser, serving as language coordinator).

You will also participate in other side tasks (training, development of IT tools, etc.).

You will be part of a dynamic directorate, which offers a wide range of internal and interinstitutional training courses, including language classes, as well as formal and informal contact with colleagues in other units through cross-departmental activities.

Who are we? What are the challenges for us ahead?

The DT has a language team for each official EU language, and a central Translation Management Unit. The vacant position is in the Spanish sector of the Spanish – Portuguese - Romanian Translation Unit.

Our field:

DT provides translation and other language services to the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) and the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC). Through the common voice of translation, DT helps the members of the Committees influence EU decisions and policies, bring them closer to its citizens and thus strengthen the EU's democratic legitimacy.

Our main achievements

• We have adapted to the fast-changing world of translation, applying new technologies and offering tailored training to our staff;
• We pride ourselves on our modern approach and efficient translation procedures based on electronic workflows and paperless working methods, while maintaining a strong focus on high quality texts and client orientation;
• We foster a workplace built on mutual respect and a healthy work-life balance with emphasis on continuous learning and development.

Our challenges ahead

• We aim to achieve sustainable multilingualism through a combination of high quality and efficiency;
• We are committed to staying in step with evolving translation technologies, so that we can best harness them for our needs.

Are you the talent we are looking for?

GENERAL ABILITIES AND CAPACITIES REQUIRED

• Think with a critical spirit, analyse and solve problems pragmatically.
• Assess critically credibility and reliability of sources, data and information and use relevant digital tools to carry out the duties.
• Organise own work, demonstrate responsibility, identify priorities, take appropriate decisions and deliver results.
• Adapt to an evolving working environment, demonstrate commitment and adopt constructive attitude at all times. Remain effective and flexible even during period of heavy activity.
• Take initiative to achieve individual and shared objectives, demonstrate ownership and work autonomously.
• Learn and professionally develop to continuously enhance job performance and knowledge of the organisation and working environment.
• Work together with others in a constructive way by contributing to diverse and inclusive working environment. Demonstrate respect and courtesy at all times.
• Convey information and relevant opinions clearly and concisely both orally and in writing, facilitate interaction and engage effectively with others. Treat confidential or sensitive information accordingly.

JOB-SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS

• You have a perfect command of the Spanish language (mother tongue or equivalent).
• You have a very good knowledge of and the ability to translate from English and from one or more of the following languages: French, German. Knowledge of other official EU languages would be considered an asset. Translators may be required to learn other official languages of the EU during their career.
• You have a good command of current translation-related IT applications (Microsoft Office, SDL Trados Studio or other computer-aided translation tools, etc.) and willingness to further develop in this area.
• You have the ability to work autonomously and prioritise workload in accordance with the needs of the language sector.
• You are flexible and you have the ability to work in a team and adapt to an international working environment.
• You have a strong sense of responsibility and the ability to work well under pressure.

ASSETS

• Previous experience in translation and quality assessment is a strong asset.
• Knowledge of the CoR and the EESC and of their structures, aims and contribution to the EU is desirable.

What we offer

• A European institution on a human scale at the heart of the European quarter and easily accessible.
• Flexible working hours and teleworking opportunities subject to the needs of the service.
• An active talent management policy focusing on continuous development and training and a policy to encourage internal mobility.
• A friendly and dynamic working environment in which self-motivation, initiative and team spirit are valued.
• An EMAS-certified institution that is continuously looking to improve its environmental performance.