The International Maritime Organization (IMO), a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for regulating global shipping, has announced an exciting career opportunity for qualified language and editorial professionals.
The organization is currently inviting applications for the position of Editorial Assistant (Spanish) within its Conference Division, offering a chance to work at the heart of international maritime cooperation while contributing directly to the quality and accuracy of official UN documentation.
This role is ideal for highly skilled Spanish language professionals who thrive in fast-paced, multicultural environments and are passionate about editorial excellence, precision, and international public service.
About the Position
The Editorial Assistant post is classified at General Service Grade G.5 and is advertised under Vacancy Announcement G.S. 26-01 (External). The position is based in the United Kingdom and is open strictly to candidates with local status, meaning applicants must already have unhindered permission to live and work in the UK.
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The initial contract is for one year on a probationary basis, with the possibility of extension subject to satisfactory performance. This makes the role suitable for professionals seeking both stability and long-term career growth within the United Nations system.
Competitive Salary and Benefits
The IMO offers a highly attractive compensation package. The successful candidate will receive an approximate net annual salary of £36,143, which is free of UK income tax, subject only to standard deductions. In addition to the salary, the position comes with excellent UN benefits, including:
- Comprehensive medical insurance
- Membership in the United Nations pension scheme
- A professional and internationally respected working environment
These benefits reflect IMO’s commitment to staff well-being and long-term career sustainability.
Purpose of the Role
Under the direct supervision of the management of the Spanish Word Processing Unit, the Editorial Assistant will play a crucial role in processing, editing, and proofreading Spanish-language documents. The role also includes supporting the training and guidance of new staff members, ensuring consistency and quality across all outputs.
Given the nature of conference and documentation work at IMO, the incumbent must be prepared to work night shifts and overtime on a regular basis, particularly during peak conference periods.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
The Editorial Assistant will undertake a wide range of technical and editorial tasks, including but not limited to:
- Proofreading Spanish texts to ensure precision, quality, and compliance with IMO standards and editorial policies.
- Editing, formatting, and preparing complex documents, including reports with tables, annexes, charts, and special layouts.
- Ensuring grammatical accuracy, correct syntax, punctuation, spelling, and style, while maintaining full concordance with the original source documents.
- Consulting with editors, translators, and revisers to resolve discrepancies or omissions and proposing appropriate corrections.
- Verifying that all components of source texts—such as titles, pagination, footnotes, annexes, and references—are accurately reflected in final versions.
- Aligning bilingual texts to support high-quality translation memories using computer-assisted translation tools such as eLUNa.
- Converting documents into multiple formats using MS Office and PDF software, while ensuring content integrity.
- Training and guiding staff, including temporary employees, on document processing procedures.
- Managing high volumes of documents independently while meeting strict and competing deadlines.
- Performing additional duties as required for the efficient operation of the word processing unit.
Required Competencies
IMO is seeking candidates who demonstrate strong professional and interpersonal qualities, including:
- Exceptional attention to detail and thoroughness
- Strong ability to prioritize tasks and work under pressure
- High level of initiative and independence
- Demonstrated training and mentoring skills
- Flexibility and a positive attitude, including willingness to work late hours at short notice
- Ability to work effectively in a multicultural environment and collaborate with diverse stakeholders
Professional Experience and Education
To be eligible, candidates must meet the following minimum requirements:
- At least five years of relevant professional experience, or an undergraduate degree in a relevant field
- Secondary education or equivalent to university entrance standard (essential)
This balance allows both experienced professionals and academically qualified candidates to compete fairly.
Language Requirements
Language proficiency is central to this role. Applicants must have:
- Excellent command of Spanish (written and oral) to mother tongue standard, with outstanding grammar and spelling
- Complete proficiency in English, both written and oral
- Knowledge of another official UN language is considered a strong asset
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Technical and Other Skills
The ideal candidate will also possess:
- Advanced proofreading and formatting skills
- Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office applications
- A good working knowledge of Computer Assisted Translation (CAT) tools, particularly eLUNa or similar platforms, which is highly desirable
Why Work at the IMO?
Joining the IMO means becoming part of a global organization that shapes international maritime safety, security, and environmental standards. This role offers not just a job, but a meaningful career contributing to international cooperation and sustainable development. It also provides invaluable experience within the UN system, opening doors to future international opportunities.
Application Deadline
All applications must be submitted no later than 26 January 2026. Early applications are encouraged, as competition for UN General Service roles is typically high.
