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United Nations And International; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 37,000; Full time

Job summary

A major international organization in the United Kingdom is seeking a qualified Editorial Assistant (Spanish) to enhance the quality of official documentation. The candidate will proofread and edit Spanish texts, manage high volumes of documents independently, and ensure adherence to international editorial standards. Ideal candidates should possess a strong command of both Spanish and English, relevant editing experience, and be comfortable working in a fast-paced, multicultural environment. This position offers an annual salary of approximately £36,143, free of UK income tax, along with excellent UN benefits.

Benefits

Membership in the United Nations pension scheme

Professional and respected working environment

Qualifications

• At least five years of relevant professional experience.
• Fluent in Spanish to mother tongue standard.
• Complete proficiency in English.

Responsibilities

• Proofread Spanish texts for accuracy and compliance with standards.
• Edit and format complex documents.
• Consult with editors and translators to resolve discrepancies.

Skills

Attention to detail

Ability to prioritize tasks

Independence

Training and mentoring skills

Flexibility

Multicultural collaboration

Education

Undergraduate degree in a relevant field

Secondary education or equivalent to university entrance standard

Tools

Microsoft Office

eLUNa or similar CAT tools

Job description

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.

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.

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:

• 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.

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
• 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.

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.