JOB DESCRIPTION

REFERENCE: CONS/14/2025/TA-SC/LING.2.A.B1 DIRECTORATE/UNIT: RESOURCES UNIT- TRANSLATION SERVICE CONTRACT TYPE: TEMPORARY AGENT GRADE: SC1/SC2 LOCATION: BRUSSELS

CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS: 17/11/2025 AT 12.00 (CET)

We are opening a call for expressions of interest for a translation secretary in the Resources Unit in the Translation Service.

WHO WE ARE

At the Translation Service (LING) of the General Secretariat of the Council, we champion multilingualism as a core European value. Our mission is to provide timely and high-quality language services in the 24 official EU languages, facilitating cross-cultural communication and playing a vital role in the European decision-making process. We encourage a collaborative, inclusive culture where every staff member is encouraged to contribute to our shared success.

The General Secretariat of the Council (GSC) is the body responsible for assisting two European Union (EU) institutions: the European Council and the Council of the EU, including its Presidencies, the Permanent Representatives Committee (Coreper) and the other Council committees and working parties.

The GSC organises and ensures the coherence of the Council’s work and the implementation of its 18-month programme. In summary, the GSC plays a vital role in ensuring effective functioning and coordination within the EU’s decision-making bodies.

WHAT WE OFFER

The Resources Unit is one of LING’s two horizontal units. Our mission is to provide LING’s staff and units with the expertise and support in the field of human, material and IT resources, as well as administrative and operational assistance.

GSC PUBLIC

As a translation secretary in our motivated and versatile team, you will support the translation process by providing technical assistance to translators, using specialised IT tools and following established procedures.

You will process various types of Council documents, prepare materials for translation, and format and archive translated content. You will also help coordinate and distribute work in the unit when required.

In addition to your core tasks, you will provide administrative, organisational and logistical support to the head of unit and other colleagues. You will participate in teamwork during European Council meetings and gain valuable experience of and insight into high-level events.

This role offers an opportunity to use your attention to detail and your planning and organisational skills to manage multiple tasks and deliver timely, high-quality results in a fast-paced environment. You will work both autonomously and as part of a team, working closely with translators, assistants, secretaries and the unit’s management team (Head of Unit, Quality Coordinator, Local Coordinator and Local Resources Manager). You will have the opportunity to contribute to training new assistants and secretaries.

You will have a wide range of IT tools at your disposal. You will be coached, guided and offered tailored training so that you can develop your skills and evolve in your role.

You can discover the GSC’s core values and culture here.

Your main tasks

Your duties as a translation secretary (SC1) in the Resources Unit (Translation Service):

• Assist translators in the processing of different types of Council documents using the appropriate IT tools and procedures;
• Reread and check the different language versions of texts on the basis of the original and perform electronic filing and archiving in the required format;
• On a rota basis and in cooperation with the jobholder, help to coordinate and distribute work within the Unit, manage the workflow and maintain contacts with the relevant services;
• Help to coordinate and distribute work within the teams;
• Provide administrative, organisational and logistical support to the head of the service and to staff, based on the objectives of the service;
• Contribute to the training of new secretaries;
• Be part of the team in the multipurpose room during European Council meetings and summits, or when dealing with specific dossiers.

Working conditions

We offer on-the-job training and coaching to help you progress in your role. You will share a modern office in our headquarters in Brussels.

Teleworking and flexitime are possible, based on service needs, and in accordance with the rules of the GSC.

Working hours can be unpredictable as political developments can generate translation and editing requests with tight deadlines, leading to work outside normal working hours, which is organised on a rota basis, and in connection with summits and ministerial meetings. A supportive and well-coordinated team will help you balance your work with your personal life.

The post is based in modern premises in our headquarters in Brussels. The GSC offers a comprehensive package of flexible working measures including a dedicated creche and after-school and school holiday childcare, as well as remote working and flexitime based on service needs.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR Eligibility criteria^[1]

To be considered eligible, you must meet all the criteria listed below:

• be a national of a Member State of the European Union;
• enjoy your full rights as a citizen;
• meet the character requirements for the duties involved;
• be physically fit enough to perform the duties involved;
• be below retirement age, which for officials and agents of the EU is set at the  end of the month in which the age

of 66 is reached;

• have fulfilled any military service obligations required under national law;
• have a knowledge of at least two official EU languages^[2], one at minimum C1        level             (thorough knowledge) and the

other at minimum B2 level (satisfactory knowledge)^[3];

Qualifications

To qualify for an SC.1 you need:

• post-secondary education attested to by a diploma, or;
• secondary education attested to by a diploma giving access to post-secondary education, followed by appropriate professional experience of at least three years, or;
• where justified in the interests of the service, professional training or professional experience of an equivalent level.

To qualify for an SC.2 you need:

• post-secondary education attested to by a diploma, followed by appropriate professional experience of at least four years, or
• secondary education attested to by a diploma giving access to post-secondary education, followed by appropriate professional experience of at least seven years, or
• where justified in the interests of the service, professional training or professional experience of an equivalent level.

Selection criteria

We are looking for colleagues with the following competences:

• strong organisational skills to keep track of deadlines and procedures;
• proactive self-management and a learning mindset;
• the ability to work in a team and to establish and maintain good contacts with a wide range of interlocutors;
• good digital skills, including a good knowledge of MS Office IT tools and a willingness to adapt to new

technologies, and in particular to familiarise yourself with collaborative tools;

• a strong ability to take action and deliver results, with accuracy and attention to detail even under pressure;
• the ability to cope with a dynamic environment and a fluctuating workload;
• a very good knowledge of Danish OR Estonian;
• English at minimum C1 level^[4]

The following would be advantageous:

• a knowledge of French or other EU languages would be an asset;
• a knowledge of the functioning of the GSC, its procedures and working methods and its relations with other

institutions;

• experience with and/or knowledge of Computer-Assisted Tools (e.g. Studio)

Specific requirements

• the post requires security clearance allowing access to classified documents (‘EU SECRET’ level). Candidates applying for the post must be prepared to undergo security screening under Council Decision 2013/488/EUof 23 September 2013.

HOW TO APPLY^[5] .

You must apply online through the EU CV Online platform within the specified deadline.