Trusted Jobs

English Language Checker

Location: Strasbourg

Do you have an eye for detecting spelling and stylistic errors when reading documents in English? Do you know how to improve the form of a text without altering its content? Can you handle complex legal texts and ensure that they are clear and comprehensible? Would you like to contribute to the activities of an International Organisation working for human rights, democracy and the rule of law? If so, our job offer may be the right opportunity for you.

Who we are

 With over 2000 staff representing all its 47 member States, the Council of Europe is a multicultural organisation. We all strive towards protecting human rights, democracy and the rule of law. Our three core values - professionalism, integrity and respect - guide the way we work.

 The European Court of Human Rights oversees the implementation of the European Convention on Human Rights in the member States. See the Court’s website for information about its activities.

Your role

 As an English Language Checker, your role will focus on:                   

• carrying out a language check of specified categories of documents, in particular draft judgments and decisions, to ensure they are clear, readily comprehensible and grammatically correct, consulting the author where necessary;
• identifying any terminological problems and searching for and analysing the information needed to resolve them;
• for each document checked, giving the lawyers concerned the feedback they need to develop their drafting ability in English;
• providing linguistic assistance to lawyers during the drafting process by giving them opinions and advice on an ad hoc basis;
• taking part, on a voluntary basis, in training Registry lawyers by devising and running language workshops tailored to their specific needs in drafting the Court’s judgments;
• contributing to the linguistic databases managed by the translators;
• taking part in divisional terminology meetings; explains any country-specific difficulties and, where appropriate, justifies the solutions proposed.

What we are looking for

 As a minimum, you must:

• hold a higher-education degree (at least 2 years of studies) in a relevant field, for example in languages or law;
• after having obtained the relevant university degree, have a minimum of two years of relevant professional experience in the areas of language checking, translation or law;
• have English mother tongue (or command of English of mother-tongue standard), good knowledge of French;
• be a citizen of one of the 47 member States of the Council of Europe;
• be under 65 years of age at the closing date of this vacancy notice.

 Demonstrate to us that you have the following competencies:

• Professional and technical expertise:

-          basic legal knowledge, particularly of the Convention system and the Court’s case-law, and ability to develop knowledge in this field;

-          advanced linguistic knowledge and terminology, spelling, syntax, style.

• Planning and work organisation
• Drafting skills
• Analysis and problem solving
• Relationship building
• Teamwork and co-operation
• Concern for quality
• Results orientation

 These would be an asset:

• Learning and development
• Communication
• Adaptability
• Resilience

What we offer

 If successful, you may be offered employment based on renewable fixed-term contracts at grade B3. In Strasbourg, you will receive a basic monthly gross salary of € 3 658 which is exempt from national income tax. In our external offices different salary scales are used according to the cost of living conditions. This salary may be supplemented by other allowances depending on your personal situation and you will be affiliated to a Council of Europe pension scheme. You will also benefit from private medical insurance, 32 working days leave per year and other benefits (including flexible working hours, training and development, possibility of teleworking, etc.).

Deadline for applications is 22 March 2021 (midnight French time).

For more information on how to apply, please click here: https://www.coe-recruitment.com/JobDetails.aspx?vacancyID=1790&Lang=En

this job offer is not open for applications