IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING APPLICATION DEADLINE:  please note that the deadline for applications is indicated in local time as per the time zone of the applicant’s location.

a.    Organizational Setting

The post is located in the Asian Languages Section 1, PCT Translation Division in the Patents and Technology Sector. The PCT Translation Division is responsible for delivering high-quality publication-ready translation in relation to patent applications filed under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT).  In particular, the PCT Translation Division is responsible for translating scientific, technical and legal documents, mainly the abstracts of international patent applications and scientific, technical and legal reports relating to the patentability of inventions.

b.    Purpose Statement

As part of the Asian Languages Section 1, the incumbent is required to assess translation quality, respond to translation-related queries from customers including translation suppliers and end-users, translate and self-revise specialized scientific and technical texts, provide training to translators and novice revisers, participate in terminology compilation, select and assess translation tests, and be familiar with a wide variety of translation and terminology-related technology.

c.    Reporting Lines

The incumbent works under the supervision of the Head of the Asian Languages Section 1.

The incumbent will perform the following principal duties:

a.  Assess the quality of translations provided by the Division’s translation suppliers (internal and outsourced) in the patent, scientific and technical subject fields for accuracy of meaning and terminology from Korean into English, to ensure accuracy of meaning and terminology as well as the application of established guidelines; provide feedback to suppliers; revise the translations of in-house translators as needed;

b.  Provide authoritative and comprehensive answers to queries from translation suppliers including agencies, freelancers, internal translators and end users on a variety of complex translation issues;

c.  Translate, post-edit and self-revise texts in a wide range of scientific and technical subjects from Korean into English meeting the standards of quality, quantity and timeliness of the Division;

d.  Train, mentor and provide feedback to translators, novice revisers and translation trainees (fellows) and contracted agencies on translation of a wide field of subjects and on the specifics of PCT Translation; contribute to the development of re-useable training materials; prepare guidelines and reference materials for the improvement of quality; and provide input for the development of the quality assurance measures of the Division;

e.  Participate in the compilation of the terminology database of the Division which is used to ensure the quality and consistency of the end product; identify potential subject fields requiring terminological research and support and conduct such research as requested;

f.   Participate in the selection and assessment of translation tests to identify suitable candidates for employment and external translation providers;

g.  Use, evaluate and make proposals for the improvement of computer-assisted translation, terminology and machine translation tools and keep informed of technical developments in these areas;

h.  Perform other related duties as required.

Education (Essential)

Advanced university degree in translation, modern languages, a technical or scientific field, or in a related field. A first-level university degree in one of the aforementioned subjects plus an additional two years of relevant professional experience in addition to the essential experience mentioned below may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.

Experience (Essential)

At least seven years of relevant professional experience, mainly in technical or scientific translation.

Experience (Desirable)

Experience in translation in a technical or scientific field, or in the field of intellectual property.

Language (Essential)

Mother-tongue level of English and excellent knowledge of Korean (first translation language).

Language (Desirable)

Ability to translate from English into Korean.

Job Related Competencies (Essential)

Advanced translation, revision, editing, and quality assessment skills, with an ability to produce accurate and idiomatically correct translations in line with established translation guidelines.

Ability to give authoritative and meaningful feedback to others on translation.

Ability to grasp scientific, technical and legal issues in a wide variety of fields.

Ability to train and provide guidance to translators.

Good knowledge of translation technology and software tools that aid the translation process.

Ability to work accurately and respect strict deadlines.

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and an ability to maintain effective partnerships and working relations in a multi-cultural environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.

Job Related Competencies (Desirable)

Knowledge of the subject matter dealt with by WIPO.

1.    Communicating effectively.

2.    Showing team spirit.

3.    Demonstrating integrity.

4.    Valuing diversity.

5.    Producing results.

6.    Showing service orientation.

7.    Seeing the big picture.

8.    Seeking change and innovation.

9.    Developing yourself and others.

Mobility:  WIPO staff members are international civil servants subject to the authority of the Director General and may be assigned to any activities, office or duty station of the Organization.  Accordingly, the selected candidate may be required to move from time to time to new functions and/or to another duty station.

Annual salary:

Total annual salary consists of a net annual salary (net of taxes and before medical insurance and pension fund deductions) in US dollars and a post adjustment.  Please note that this estimate is for information only.  The post adjustment multiplier (cost of living allowance) is variable and subject to change (increase or decrease) without notice.  The figures quoted below are based on the October 2024 rate of 95.3%

Please refer to WIPO’s Staff Regulation and Rules for detailed information concerning salaries, benefits and allowances.

Additional Information

* Initial period of two years, renewable, subject to satisfactory performance.  No fixed-term appointment or any extension hereof shall carry with it any expectancy of, nor imply any right to, (further) extensions or conversion to a permanent appointment.

This vacancy announcement may be used to fill other posts at the same grade with similar functions in accordance with Staff Rule 4.9.5.

Applications from qualified women as well as from qualified nationals of unrepresented Member States of WIPO and underrepresented geographical regions are encouraged. Please click on the following links for the list of unrepresented Member States and the list of underrepresented regions and the WIPO Member States in these regions.

The Organization reserves the right to make an appointment at a grade lower than that advertised.

By completing an application, candidates understand that any willful misrepresentation made on this web site, or on any other documents submitted to WIPO during the application, may result in disqualification from the recruitment process, or termination of employment with WIPO at a later date, if that employment resulted from such willful misrepresentations.

In the event that your candidature is shortlisted, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of an identification and of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WIPO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link: http://www.whed.net/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and these will be reviewed individually.

Additional testing/interviewing may be used as a form of screening.  Initial appointment is subject to satisfactory professional references.

Additional background checks may be required.