Job Description: The Interpretation Services Department is responsible for providing simultaneous interpretation services during meetings of FTAA entities. The working languages of the negotiations are English and Spanish. The on-site interpreters provide these simultaneous interpretation services and, where necessary, consecutive interpretation services, for the meetings of the entities of the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA), as well as the bilateral meetings scheduled as part of the negotiations.

Main Duties: See Terms of Reference attached.

Requirements: Candidates will be responsible for submitting along with their application all relevant information to demonstrate fulfillment of the following requirements:

a) Education: Minimum requirements: Bachelor's degree in international relations, economics, or related areas

b) Experience: Minimum of 5 years (preferably 10 years) experience in interpretation with an international organization in areas related to international trade.

Preference will be given to candidates with experience at the IDB, OAS, or ECLAC.

Preference will be given to candidates who are members of AIIC, TAALS, or other interpreters associations recognized in the hemisphere.

c) Languages: A in Spanish or English

B in English or Spanish

C in Portuguese and French would be an asset.

d) Duty of Confidentiality: Successful candidates, upon signing of contract, will also be required to commit in writing to duty of confidentiality regarding all FTAA-ALCA documents and business.

e) Conflict of Interests: Applicants whose other professional activities are seen to constitute a conflict of interests will not be considered.

Selection Criteria: Eligible candidates must be citizens of an IDB Member Country. Please consult http://www.iadb.org/exr/ENGLISH/ABOUTIDB/about_idb_member.htm for the list of IDB Member Countries.

Candidates will be evaluated on the extent to which they can demonstrate possession of the following skills, knowledge, qualities and abilities:

a) ability to provide accurate, high quality interpretation services under pressure;

b) ability to access reference material available on-site needed to carry out their interpretation duties;

c) skillful use of specialized terminology;

d) ability to handle working documents during the meeting while working in sight translation" mode

e) efficiency and strong team spirit;

f) flexibility with regard to working hours

g) ability to maintain good inter-personal relationships.

Salary: Negotiable.

Length of Contract: 12 months.

How to Apply: Interested candidates must complete a personal history form (to be downloaded from under the Toolbox section of this page), to be submitted along with a current curriculum vitae and cover letter. All candidates must include a list of three references, along with information on how to contact them. Only candidates who best meet the requirements of the position will be acknowledged. All successful candidates are hired on a fixed-term contract basis. All documentation should be received no later than one week after the announcement, via e-mail or fax at the address below c/o:

Mr. Iván Ogando
Executive Director
FTAA Administrative Secretariat
Hotel Caesar Park Panamá
Vía Israel y Calle 77, San Francisco
89-10044, Zona 9, Panamá
Panamá, República de Panamá
Fax: (507) 270-6990
e-mail: