Language Assistant (French)

About the job

Job Description - Language Assistant (French) (2601708)

Language Assistant (French) - (2601708)

Grade: G4

Contractual Arrangement: Multiple contractual arrangements

Contract Duration (Years, Months, Days): One Year

: Jun 5, 2026, 7:24:52 AM

: Jun 19, 2026, 9:59:00 PM

: Switzerland-Geneva

: HQ/GPA Governance, Partnerships and Accountability

: Full-time

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that the deadline for receipt of applications indicated above reflects your personal device's system settings.

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The Department of Governing Bodies (GBS) serves as WHO's central platform for advancing strategic governance and multilateral engagement. The Department provides high-level political and strategic support to Member States, including in sensitive contexts, ensuring the consistent application of protocol and health diplomacy in intergovernmental relations. It coordinates WHO's response to governance-related matters across all three levels of the Organization, maintains the institutional memory of WHO's governing bodies, and ensures the effective functioning of the World Health Assembly, the Executive Board, and related intergovernmental processes. Within GBS, the Language Services Unit (LNG) provides high-quality, timely and cost-effective translation, interpretation, editing, official records, word processing and online services for the whole Organization, so as to make WHO health policy and technical information accessible to its target audiences in the official languages of the Organization and, on an ad hoc basis, in other languages.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Proofreads documents, reports, tables, graphics and other materials to ensure consistency with originals, completeness and correctness in respect of grammar, spelling, house style, references and cross-references, and identifies issues relating to format, formatting and font, and potential issues relating to consistent terminology, references, etc.

Checks proofs of publications after layout at request of originating unit, ensuring page layout, choice/size of fonts, etc. are correct and appropriate in relation to both the original and the target language.

Contacts professional technical, editorial, and/or translation staff to obtain clarification on specific issues and/or terminology.

Processes and formats documents, reports, statistical tables, official letters and other materials from different sources, using a variety of programs and in accordance with current departmental standards; imports graphics from source files and redesigns them for insertion into the master file (which may use different software), taking into consideration the layout requirements of other languages; performs limited DTP tasks as needed.

Performs pre-processing of documents as required to support computer-assisted translation (CAT) and related processes.

Stores final documents in the official repository for CAT, and aligns bi-texts in order to support the production of high-quality translation memories.

Performs other related duties.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Completion of secondary school education or equivalent

Desirable: Completion of specialized courses in document production to prepare a variety of documents and correspondence and import documents from a variety of formats.

Experience

Essential: At least 3 years of relevant experience, including experience in WHO, or other UN system or international organization working with document production standards associated with official, governance, governing body and technical documents involving specialized formats and terminology.

Desirable: Previous experience in language services. Relevant experience in WHO or another UN agency an asset. Experience in user management would be an asset.

Skills

Strong skills working in a team.

Demonstrated ability in advanced word processing and desktop publishing/document production methods and practices, particularly in respect of graphics, including the latest software and related techniques.

Good knowledge of the principles and practices associated with proof-reading and quality control. Knowledge of public health terminology an advantage.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork

Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences

Communication

Knowing and managing yourself

Moving forward in a changing environment

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Intermediate knowledge of English. Expert knowledge of French.

Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of UN languages.

REMUNERATION

WHO offers staff in the General Services category an attractive remuneration package, which for the above position includes an annual net base salary starting at CHF 72,731 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable) and 30 days of annual leave.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Staff members separated due to the 2025 Prioritization and Realignment Process will receive special consideration according to the applicable regulatory framework.

The appointment type offered to the selected candidate will be determined at the time of offer: current staff members will keep their appointment type, other candidates, unless joining through interagency transfer, will be offered a temporary appointment.

This vacancy notice may be used to fill other similar positions at the same grade level.

In the event that your candidature is retained for an interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link: http://www.whed.net/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible.

The Director-General retains the discretion to not make any appointment to this vacancy, to make an appointment at a lower grade, or to make an appointment with a modified job description, including shortening the duration of the appointment.

WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. WHO recruits and employs staff regardless of disability status, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, race, marital status, religious, cultural, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, or any other personal characteristics.

Persons with disabilities may request reasonable accommodations (modifications or adjustments to the application or recruitment process) to support their participation in the application and recruitment process. Please send an email to E-Mail schreiben with your full name, the vacancy number you are applying for, and specific details of the accommodation needed in your request.

WHO has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct (i.e., discrimination, abuse of authority and harassment). All members of the WHO workforce have a role to play in promoting a safe and respectful workplace and should report to WHO any actual or suspected cases of SEA, sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct. To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organization, WHO will conduct a background verification of final candidates.

Please note that WHO's contracts are conditional on members of the workforce confirming that they are vaccinated as required by WHO before undertaking a WHO assignment, except where a medical condition does not allow such vaccination, as certified by the WHO Staff Health and Wellbeing Services (SHW). The successful candidate will be asked to provide relevant evidence related to this condition. A copy of the updated vaccination card must be shared with WHO medical service in the medical clearance process. Please note that certain countries require proof of specific vaccinations for entry or exit. For example, official proof /certification of yellow fever vaccination is required to enter many countries. Country-specific vaccine recommendations can be found on the WHO international travel and Staff Health and Wellbeing website. For vaccination-related queries please directly contact SHW directly at E-Mail schreiben.

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