ICC Seeking Tagalog, Cebuano Translators

The International Criminal Court (ICC) is looking for Tagalog and Cebuano translators ahead of the trial of former president Rodrigo Duterte.

The ICC has published two separate job postings for paraprofessional interpreters and associate court interpreters, both offering contracts that would initially run until the end of the year.

Paraprofessional interpreters will receive a minimum net annual salary of 55,665 euros (at least P3.96 million at the rate of P71.2 per euro), while associate court interpreters will get a minimum of 71,173 euros (at least P5.067 million) per year.

Their responsibilities include interpreting witness testimonies, providing consecutive interpretation, carrying out transcript corrections and contributing to the development of terminology and reference databases of the ICC’s Language Services Section.

Applicants must have mother-tongue proficiency in Filipino (Tagalog) and/or Cebuano (Bisaya), as well as a high level of proficiency in English.

The ICC said applicants are expected to have an advanced university degree, preferably in interpretation, translation, linguistics or law.

Candidates with first-level university degrees may be accepted if they have an additional two years of qualifying experience for paraprofessional interpreter positions and four years for associate court interpreter positions.

Previous interpretation or translation experience is considered an advantage for paraprofessional interpreter applicants, while it is required for the higher post.

According to the job postings, “shortlisted candidates will be invited to be tested for interpretation ability and training potential (aptitude test), followed by an interview.”

“Selected candidates will follow a period of intensive training after which further testing will be carried out. A panel will then determine if the trainee should be accredited to work in the courtroom at hearings,” it added.

The recruitment comes after ICC Trial Chamber II directed the ICC Registry to make the necessary arrangements for interpretation services for the start of Duterte’s trial on Nov. 30.

During the case’s first status conference on May 27, Presiding Judge Joanna Korner underscored the importance of making the proceedings accessible to Filipinos.

“I think it’s important that opening statements can be understood by those in the Philippines,” Korner said.

She noted that court proceedings in the Philippines are generally held in English, which she said could make it easier for the registry to find and train interpreters for Duterte’s trial.

The ICC will accept applications until July 4.

“A roster of suitable candidates may be established for this post as a result of this selection process for fixed-term appointments against both established posts and positions funded by general temporary assistance,” it said.