Trainee English Editor/Translator

Qualifications, experience and skills

Essential: 

• a bachelor’s degree or higher in modern languages or translation;
• experience in copy-editing and proofreading English texts, including content for websites, social media and blogs, either as part of a degree course or in a professional context;
• the ability to translate from at least one official EU language into English;
• a good knowledge of the MS Office package including Word, Excel and PowerPoint;
• a C2 (native speaker-standard) command of English and a C1 (advanced) command of at least one other official language of the EU, according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

Desired: 

• a master’s degree (completed or in the final stages of completion) in modern languages or translation;
• a C1 (advanced) command of other official EU languages, according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages;
• familiarity with using computer-assisted translation tools and an interest in machine translation and language technology;
• an interest in financial and economic affairs.

You are curious and eager to learn, and want to further develop your ability to analyse complex information. You are keen to collaborate with others, pursue team goals and learn from other people’s diverse perspectives. You strive to know and anticipate stakeholder needs, and will signal any need for change and propose alternative solutions.

You are motivated to contribute to the ECB’s mission, to serve the citizens of the EU as a member of a public institution and to work with colleagues from all over Europe. You are keen to be part of our team and to use your skills and competencies to achieve the aims of this position.

Your role

As a trainee Editor/Translator you will:

• edit and proofread ECB materials in the fields of central banking and banking supervision which have been drafted in English by native and non-native speakers, correcting errors of grammar, consistency and style, and ensuring a high-quality product tailored to the target audience;
• edit website content and social media posts for the general public;
• contribute to clear writing initiatives, the ECB’s English Style Guide and the provision of linguistic and drafting advice; 
• occasionally produce translations from one or more official EU languages into English of materials in the fields of banking supervision and central banking.

The traineeship offers you excellent opportunities to gain insight into the work of a language services division in an EU institution and to use state-of-the-art language technology tools. You will be part of a multicultural team that strives for continuous innovation to make a positive impact on the lives of European citizens. 

Further information

Initial traineeship of six months, with a possible extension to up to 12 months in total.

Other details on the Traineeship at the ECB can be found on our website.

For additional information on this specific vacancy, you can speak to Peter Wilkinson on +49 (0)174 3086493 between 14:00 and 15:00 CET on Thursday, 9 April.

Application and selection process

The recruitment process for this position will include a remote written exercise in the pre-selection phase and – if you are invited to participate in the subsequent selection phase – an online interview. 

Further information on How to apply is available on our website.

If you are not selected for this position but are still considered suitable, you will be placed on a reserve list for 12 months from the closing date for applications, from which you might be considered for other traineeship positions within the ECB.