ICC is looking for Tagalog, Cebuano translators ahead of Duterte trial
The International Criminal Court is seeking Filipino and Cebuano interpreters ahead of the trial for former president Rodrigo Duterte.
On its website, The Hague tribunal posted two job openings for the following positions: Paraprofessional Interpreter - Filipino (Tagalog) and Cebuano (Bisaya) and Associate Court Interpreter - Filipino (Tagalog) and Cebuano (Bisaya).
The paraprofessional and associate court interpreters are tasked with interpreting witness testimony and other subject matter, including legal and forensic discourse, and providing consecutive and chuchotage interpretation. According to Accredited Language Services, chuchotage refers to a technique in which a linguist stands with a small audience and whispers a simultaneous interpretation of what's being said.
The positions also entail participating in supervised training, studying witness statements, compiling vocabulary lists, translating and proofreading documents, carrying out transcript corrections, and contributing to the terminology and reference databases of the ICC's Language Services Section.
Qualifications include an advanced university degree, preferably in interpretation, translation, linguistics, or law, or a first-level university degree with two additional years of qualifying experience.
Additionally, they need at least two years of relevant work experience in Filipino (Tagalog) and/or Cebuano (Bisaya), computer skills, basic knowledge of international legal instruments, procedure and law, as well as relevant specialist subjects like legal, political, military, medical, forensic, human rights, administrative, financial, and others.
Shortlisted applicants will undergo an aptitude test on their interpretation ability and an interview.
The paraprofessional interpreter can receive a minimum net annual salary of €55,665 (P3.96 million), while the associate court interpreter's starting yearly pay is €71,173 (P5.07 million). The contracts for the job will be until Dec. 31, 2026.
Interested applicants can apply via the ICC's website until July 4, midnight (The Hague time).
Duterte, who is detained at The Hague, is set to face trial at the ICC on Nov. 30. He is charged with three counts of crimes against humanity, with prosecutors alleging his involvement in at least 76 murders in his so-called "war on drugs."