Translator-Reviser (Korean/English)

WIPO Headquarters, 34, chemin des Colombettes, 1211 Geneva 20, Switzerland (GE020)

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING APPLICATION DEADLINE: please note that the deadline for applications is indicated in local date and time.

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

This role exists to ensure high-quality translation of specialized scientific and technical texts relating to the international patent applications. The incumbent assesses translation quality, translates and self-revises complex material and answers translation-related questions from customers, suppliers, and end-users. The incumbent is also responsible for strengthening translator and supplier capabilities, improving translation and terminological assets, as well as QC processes, and maximizing the use of the latest language technology solutions to support high-quality delivery and improved client experience.

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; review processes and feedback to improve delivery;

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-usable 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 and evaluate the latest translation technology and terminology tools (CAT, NMT, AI-based tools, etc.). In close collaboration with the technical team, provide linguistic expertise to ensure the adoption of efficient solutions and evaluate the effect of these solutions on translation performance and quality;

h. Keep abreast of developments in the area of translation;

i. 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.