JOB PROFILE
    TITLE     TRANSLATOR PORTUGUESE-ENGLISH-PORTUGUESE
    INSTITUTION     COMMUNITY COURT OF JUSTICE, ECOWAS
    GRADE     P4
    ANNUAL SALARY     UA : 56.591.37  USD : 89,289.87
    STATUS     FROM APPOINTMENT DATE TO OCTOBER 2026
    DEPARTMENT     REGISTRY
    DIRECTORATE     JUDGES’ CHAMBERS
    DIVISION     JUDICIAL CERTIFIED TRANSLATION & INTERPRETATION
    LINE SUPERVISOR      HOD LANGUAGE SERVICES DIVISION
    SUPERVISING     
    DUTY STATION    ABUJA / NIGERIA
  • Applications should be sent to: translatorpep@courtecowas.org

     

    ROLE OVERVIEW

    The incumbent shall, in accordance with professional standards, provide translation services for Judicial and non-judicial documents in Portuguese to the Hon. Judges in the discharge of their judicial mandate. Ensuring high linguistic and terminological quality and application of ECOWAS Court jargon. She/he shall assist the setting-up and updating of terminology database and compilation of glossaries.

    ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

    • Translation Services as assigned by the Portuguese Judge, HOD Language and Management; Provides translation into Portuguese/English of Court processes, Statements and Speeches.
    • Routinely assigned Translation of official documents for Judges and staff members as required;
    • Language Combination: Portuguese A, English B or French B. (Any proven C language in either of the other two working languages of the Community will be an advantage)
    • Assists the HOD Language Division, as appropriate, in the screening, training and conduct of examination for prospective translators;
    • Participates in establishment of terminology database, compilation of glossaries, etc.
    • Performs other related duties as required.

     

    ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

    Education:       

    • Bachelor’s degree in translation or equivalent from a recognized university;

    Experience:  

    • 7 years of experience in translation, and use of relevant computer software, electronic tools and databases;
    • Excellent writing and analytical skills; highest standards of accuracy, consistency and faithfulness to the style and nuances of the original text;
    • Familiarity with computer-assisted translation tools, machine translation tools and on-screen editing tools.
    • Excellent knowledge of legal issues relating to the functions, structure and activities of ECOWAS;
    • Proficiency in legal writing and ability to work on a variety of legal instruments and related documents;

    AGE LIMIT:

    Be Below 50 years old. This provision does not apply to internal candidates

     

    ECOWAS KEY COMPETENCES

    • Ability to get groups to work together cooperatively, by enlisting active involvement, creating a climate for respect and openness, and applying effective techniques for group facilitation, explore their potentials, motivate and guide them;
    • Organize and lead cross-divisional work group in developing creative solutions to address problems and or lead a small group of entry level professionals and administrative support staff;
    • Ability to respect chain of command in an appropriate manner;
    • Develop on-the-job training techniques paired with excellent coaching and mentoring skills; knowledge of new staff orientation approaches to facilitate understanding of the position and organization;
    • Ability to assign work to direct reports and provide timely and consistent feedback regarding technical proficiency and effectiveness;
    • Ability to represent the organization effectively before external parties.
    • Ability to consider the impact of a shift in programmatic direction to the needs of internal and external stakeholders;
    • Ability to promote and consider staff feedback to streamline processes in order to meet deadlines of relevance to client expectations;
    • Ability to consistently maintain composure and direction in high- pressure situations;
    • Develop problem solving, mediation and conflict resolution skills to address discrepancies, complaints, bottle necks, time constraints affecting quality and quantity of client services;
    • Ability to anticipate growing client needs and expectations to continuously improve quality, timelines, service delivery and addressing client questions in a timely manner;
    • Ability to communicate openly with clients, keeping them informed of progress and issues requiring attention/resolutions.
    • Ability to implement programmatic changes in a manner that ensures a biased-free work environment, fair and equitable application to new rules/regulations; 
    • Experience and ability to adhere to policies, goals, objectives, and principles of valuing diversity in performing everyday duties and responsibilities; promoting/modelling behaviours that demonstrate tolerance and understanding of various cultures;
    • Ability to remain objective in managing conflict regardless of cultural differences /positions, gender differences, and encourage other staff to overcome cultural and gender bias and differences;
    • Ability to build value from leveraging diverse capabilities and inputs from various cultures, staff and clients;
    • Ability and responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work;
    • Ability to create a diverse and inclusive interactive environment that benefits from diverse strengths bringing together innovative practices;
    • Ability to seek out best practices to make organizational decisions of relevance to diversity management, ensuring that project and program activities identify vulnerable areas and contain systemic checks.
    • Knowledge of ECOWAS institutions and how the different organs relate to each other, particularly as it relates to own work sector/programs;
    •  Knowledge of approaches to policy and program development of an international organization as well as project management;
    • Knowledge of the rules, processes and procedures of an international organization, of pertinence to tasks related to own position;
    • Knowledge of member states development trends, indicators, challenges and opportunities as it relates to project/programme assigned to own position.
    • Creativity and flexibility to deviate from traditional methods in developing new procedures, processes and tools, using technology to simplify methods and approaches whenever possible;
    • Ability to re-evaluate current procedures and suggest improvements to ensure an effective, streamlined process;
    • Ability to gather and summarize information to predict stakeholder views on a new policy/programs; and excellent analytical skills to assess external policies and trends when reviewing policy/programme options, pros, cons and recommendations;
    • Ability to synthesize complex information gathered from a variety of external and internal sources and disseminate it to others in a logical manner;
    • Ability to apply appropriate methodology to discover or identify policy issues and resource concerns.
    • Ability to evaluate, incorporate, and communicate the latest developments in specialty area using institution/agency guidelines and criteria;
    • Develop interpersonal, negotiation, networking and presentation skills with proven abilities to influence, explain complex information and demonstrate empathy and open-mindedness;
    • Ability to demonstrate operational proficiency in the use of computer in communicating using technology tools;
    • Ability to convey information clearly and concisely in a succinct and organized manner through both written and verbal expressions;
    • Exhibit active listening skills to encourage stronger communication amongst team members, to show care and make them feel valued and to drive employee engagement in all institutions and agencies;
    • Proficiency in information communication technologies (ICT);
    • Fluency in oral and written expressions in two of the ECOWAS official languages of the Community (English, French & Portuguese). Knowledge of a third language will be an added advantage.
    • Knowledge of internal planning cycles and ability to contribute to the development and to implement Community-wide or institution policy by determining target audience, building coalitions with the appropriate population, and monitor progress;
    • Ability to consider external circumstances, factors and trends when organizing project activities to ensure the best outcome;
    • Ability to review process outcome, correspondence, reports, and policy documents to develop achievable plans;
    • Ability to conduct meetings with staff, stakeholders, colleagues and others to ascertain organizational program and/or project needs, making adjustments to plans and activities accordingly;

    Ability to adjust project plans based on input from staff and stakeholders and/or ability to design and implement guidelines, tools and templates to accommodate new or revised programs and services.