The International Maritime Organization is offering a Junior Professional Officer Translation Officer opportunity in Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian or Spanish. Candidates need a relevant degree and at least two years of translation experience. Nomination deadline: 31 December 2026.
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has announced a Junior Professional Officer (JPO) opportunity for a Translation Officer within its Conference Division in London, United Kingdom.
The position is designed for professionals with translation experience in technical documents and relevant academic qualifications. Successful candidates will translate technical, legal and administrative materials, conduct terminology research and support the organisation’s multilingual meetings and publications.
Important: This position is funded through a sponsoring IMO Member State. Direct applications from individual candidates are not accepted.
Opportunity Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Organisation | International Maritime Organization (IMO) |
| Position | Junior Professional Officer – Translation Officer |
| Position number | JPO 23-05 |
| Administrative number | ADMIN/23/60 |
| Division | Conference Division |
| Location | London, United Kingdom |
| Languages | Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian or Spanish |
| Minimum experience | 2 years in technical-document translation |
| Academic qualification | Relevant university degree |
| Appointment level | P-2 |
| Potential duration | Up to 3 years, subject to funding and performance |
| Application method | Sponsoring Member State nomination |
| Nomination deadline | 31 December 2026 |
About the IMO Translation Officer Opportunity
The IMO JPO Programme enables Member States to sponsor young professionals for assignments at the organisation, where they gain international experience and receive on-the-job training.
The Translation Officer position forms part of the Conference Division, which supports the organisation’s multilingual documentation and meeting activities.
The successful candidate will work under the supervision of the relevant Head of the Translation Section for the applicable language.
Key Responsibilities
The Translation Officer will be responsible for translating materials covering a wide range of subjects.
Main duties include:
- Translating technical, legal and administrative documents for meetings and publications.
- Conducting research on specific subjects to support translation work.
- Carrying out terminology research for inclusion in IMO’s terminology database.
- Participating in night shifts during meetings when required.
- Travelling on mission when necessary.
- Performing other duties assigned by the relevant Head of the Translation Section and the Director of the Conference Division.
The position requires strong language skills, accuracy and the ability to work with specialised technical material.
Who Can Apply?
Candidates must meet the general IMO JPO requirements and the specific requirements for the Translation Officer position.
Academic Qualifications
Applicants must hold a university degree in one of the following fields:
- Translation
- Languages
- Naval architecture
- Law
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Environmental sciences
- Telecommunications
- Nautical studies
- Marine science
A relevant equivalent qualification may be considered under the applicable requirements. Knowledge of maritime terminology is an advantage.
Professional Experience
Applicants need at least two years of professional experience translating technical documents into one of the IMO’s official languages:
- Arabic
- Chinese
- English
- French
- Russian
- Spanish
Translation experience in an international setting or administration is desirable.
Language and Technical Skills
The general JPO requirements include an excellent command of written and spoken English. Knowledge of other official IMO languages is an advantage.
Candidates should also demonstrate strong research and analytical skills, the ability to prepare reports and briefing notes, attention to detail, and proficiency in Microsoft Office.
Contract Duration and Employment Conditions
The IMO JPO Programme provides substantive professional assignments and on-the-job training.
Appointments are funded initially for one year, with the possibility of yearly extensions for a total period of up to three years, subject to funding, programme requirements and satisfactory performance.
JPOs are engaged at the P-2 level. The sponsoring Member State is responsible for the costs associated with the appointment under the applicable funding arrangements.
Completion of the assignment does not guarantee a permanent position at IMO.
How the Application Process Works
Candidates cannot apply directly to IMO for this position.
The sponsoring Member State must submit a formal nomination, accompanied by:
- A nomination letter from the sponsoring Member State.
- A covering letter from the candidate outlining the reasons for applying and relevant experience.
- An up-to-date IMO Personal History Form (PHF).
Nominations must be submitted by email to rsd@imo.org, with the specific JPO position number included in the subject line.
Interested candidates should contact the relevant national authority to determine whether their country will sponsor the position and what internal selection arrangements apply.
Application Deadline
The deadline for Member State nominations is 31 December 2026.
This is the date by which nominations must reach IMO. National authorities may set earlier deadlines for candidates seeking sponsorship, so applicants should begin checking the process well in advance.
How to Apply
Review the full vacancy circular and the general requirements before contacting your national sponsoring authority.
Read the Official IMO JPO 23-05 Translation Officer Circular
Explore the IMO Junior Professional Officer Programme
Candidates must follow the sponsorship and nomination process. Direct applications to IMO will not be accepted.
Opportunities Feed Assessment
This opportunity may suit professionals with backgrounds in translation, languages, maritime affairs, law, environmental sciences and other relevant technical fields who have experience translating specialised documents.
The most important requirements are the relevant degree, at least two years of technical-document translation experience and the ability to work accurately with complex material.
Candidates should also consider the practical demands of the role, including possible night shifts during meetings and travel on mission when required.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the IMO JPO Translation Officer position?
It is a Junior Professional Officer opportunity in the IMO Conference Division involving translation and terminology research.
Which languages are covered?
The position lists Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish translation sections.
What qualifications are required?
The stated academic fields include translation, languages, naval architecture, law, physics, chemistry, environmental sciences, telecommunications, nautical studies and marine science.
How much experience is required?
Applicants need at least two years of professional experience translating technical documents into an IMO official language.
Where is the position based?
The post is associated with IMO’s headquarters in London, United Kingdom.
What is the contract duration?
Appointments are initially funded for one year, with possible yearly extensions up to a total of three years, subject to funding and performance.
What is the salary?
The general programme information states that JPOs are engaged at the P-2 level, but the supplied circular does not specify an exact salary amount.
Can applicants submit their applications directly to IMO?
No. Only nominations submitted by the sponsoring Member State are accepted.
What documents are required?
The nomination must include a Member State nomination letter, the candidate’s covering letter and an up-to-date IMO Personal History Form.
When is the nomination deadline?
The published deadline is 31 December 2026.
Disclaimer
Opportunities Feed is sharing this vacancy for informational and career purposes. We are not affiliated with the International Maritime Organization and do not recruit applicants on its behalf. Candidates should verify eligibility, sponsorship arrangements and nomination instructions through the official IMO documents and the relevant national authority before proceeding.
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