Vacancy Notice N° e26/2007
Post of Head of the Interpretation Department (Grade L5)
Directorate General Administration and Logistics
Finance and Linguistic Services


Closing Date: 02 May 2007
Location
Strasbourg
Minimum Educational Requirements
Higher Education
Required Nationality
Any member state

Job Mission
Under the authority of the Director of Finance and Linguistic Services and the Head of the Budget, Accounting and Linguistic Services Department, the postholder will be responsible for providing the interpretation services required by the Organisation's entities, in compliance with the assigned deadlines and performance standards.
Key Activities
The postholder performs the following activities:
·         provides interpretation services of a high standard while optimising their quality/price ratio:
o        provides over 7,000 days of interpretation for a budget of about 7.2 million €, relying on a small in-house team and   a significant number of conference interpreters;
o        optimises the quality/price ratio of the services provided in accordance with the Agreement concluded with the AIIC;
o        maintains and develops tools for monitoring the quality of interpretation services;
o        optimises the Interpretation Department's management systems;
o        handles contacts between the Interpretation Department and other departments within the Organisation, notably with regard to the organisation and planning of meetings and in order to heighten awareness of cost issues;
o        performs interpretation assignments if the need arises;
·         reports to the Director of Finance and Linguistic Services and Head of the Budget, Accounting and Linguistic Services Department:
o        regularly reports to his/her superiors on results achieved and the attainment of objectives, consults them where necessary and keeps them  informed of possible developments;
·         leads, guides and manages the human resources of the Interpretation Department:
o        leads and motivates the staff of the Interpretation Department;
o        sets objectives, allocates responsibilities, motivates members of staff and appraises their performance;
o        manages the Department's human resources so as to optimise their use;
o        leads and motivates the permanent interpreters and interpreters remunerated on a daily basis;
·         communicates and represents the Council of Europe in matters concerning the Department:
o        establishes and maintains contacts with counterparts in international Organisations;
o        maintains contacts with professional associations and schools of interpreting;
o        handles the Department's internal communication, including with interpreters remunerated on a daily basis;
o        promotes Council of Europe values.
Competencies
§         Vision on international affairs: vision and strategic insight; awareness of the international political, economic, social and cultural context; organisational awareness.
§         Managerial skills: leadership; management of teams, resources, projects and processes; coaching of others; influence and authority.
§         Professional and technical competencies:
o        qualifications: university degree obtained from a recognized Institute or School of interpreting;
o        professional expertise: has experience of conference interpreting, including within an international Organisation; has a broad knowledge of the activities and procedures of the Council of Europe;
o        ICT skills: has sound computer skills for standard tools in office applications; including terminology and specific computer tools; is capable of monitoring the implementation of new systems;
o        analytical thinking;
o        problem solving and judgement skills.
§         Interpersonal skills: service and client orientation; relationship-building.
§         Communication and linguistic skills: has a perfect knowledge of both official languages of the Council of Europe (English and French) in oral and written communication; knowledge of one or more other working languages of the Parliamentary Assembly and the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe (German, Russian, Italian) would be an asset; ability to communicate and express oneself and draft clearly, concisely and convincingly.
§         Personal attitudes: initiative and responsibility; result orientation and sense of continuous improvement, concern for quality, efficiency and accuracy; adaptability, self-management and development;
§         Personal values: integrity, loyalty and conscience, discretion, independence and confidence, respect for diversity.
Language Requirements
has a perfect knowledge of both official languages of the Council of Europe (English and French) in oral and written communication; knowledge of one or more other working languages of the Parliamentary Assembly and the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe (German, Russian, Italian) would be an asset.
Additional Information
Applications must be made in English or French using the Council of Europe on-line application system by 2 May 2007 at the latest. By connecting to our website http://www.coe-recruitment.com/ you can consult the detailed vacancy notice and create and submit your on-line application. 
The successful candidate will be appointed on an initial two-year contract which shall be considered as a probationary period. If, after the probationary period, the staff member is confirmed in his/her post, the appointment will be extended for a definite or a indefinite period.
On the basis of this competition, a reserve list will be drawn up of successful candidates who may be offered employment during the period of validity of the list (two years; this period may be extended). Appointment will be made on contracts of fixed or indefinite duration. The reserve list will be forwarded to the Permanent Representations of member states to the Council of Europe, as well as to the candidates placed on the reserve list.
Candidates must be nationals of a Council of Europe member state.
Under its equal opportunities policy, the Council of Europe is aiming to achieve parity in the number of women and men employed in each category and grade. In the event of equal merit, preference will therefore be given to the applicant belonging to the under-represented sex.
The Council of Europe welcomes applications from all suitably-qualified candidates, irrespective of gender, disability, marital or parental status, racial, ethnic or social origin, colour, religion, belief or sexual orientation.