IMO Is Hiring An Editorial Assistant -2026 Apply Now

The International Maritime Organization (IMO), a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for regulating international shipping, has opened an exciting opportunity for skilled language and editorial professionals through its Editorial Assistant (Conference Division) temporary roster. This vacancy is designed for highly detail-oriented candidates who thrive in fast-paced, multilingual environments and who are passionate about contributing to the smooth functioning of international conferences and documentation processes.

Issued under Vacancy Announcement STA 25-06 (Roster), this opportunity allows IMO to build a pool of qualified Editorial Assistants who can be called upon throughout the year to support its six official language units: English, French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, and Russian. The application window is open until 31 December 2026, offering ample time for eligible candidates to prepare and submit a strong application.

About the IMO and the Conference Division

The IMO plays a critical role in ensuring the safety, security, and environmental performance of international shipping. One of its core functions is to support meetings of Member States, committees, and technical bodies through the timely production of accurate, high-quality documentation in multiple languages.

Within this framework, the Conference Division is responsible for document processing, editing, formatting, and linguistic quality assurance. Editorial Assistants are an essential part of this process, ensuring that official IMO documents meet the highest editorial, linguistic, and technical standards before they are issued.

This role is a temporary roster position, meaning successful candidates will be placed on a roster and offered assignments as operational needs arise. Key contract details include:

• Contract duration: Up to one year, issued on a quarterly basis
• Renewal: Subject to funding, performance, and operational requirements
• Conversion: No expectation of conversion to a fixed-term or permanent contract
• Working arrangement: Hybrid working options are available
• Availability: Candidates should be immediately available or have a short notice period

It is important to note that these temporary positions are only open to candidates who already have the legal right to work in the United Kingdom. Applicants are strongly encouraged to verify their eligibility before applying.

The position offers a competitive remuneration package for a temporary UN-system role:

• Tax status: Free of UK income tax

This makes the role particularly attractive for professionals seeking international experience while benefiting from tax-free income in the UK.

Purpose of the Post

The main objective of this recruitment is to establish a reliable roster of Editorial Assistants who can provide full-time linguistic and editorial support across the IMO’s six language units throughout the year.

Successful candidates will be assigned to a specific language unit based on their mother-tongue-level fluency and will work under the direct guidance of the Supervisor of the Document Processing Unit for that language, as well as the overall management of the relevant Head of Translation.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Editorial Assistants play a hands-on role in ensuring the accuracy, consistency, and presentation quality of IMO documentation. Core responsibilities include:

• Proofreading texts to ensure accuracy, quality, and conformity with established editorial standards and IMO policies
• Verifying grammar, syntax, punctuation, spelling, references, and overall consistency with the original source text
• Ensuring that translations accurately reflect the source text in style, tone, and meaning, in line with IMO and in‑house editorial guidelines

Document Processing and Formatting

• Editing, formatting, and preparing documents, including those with complex tables, layouts, and merging or collating requirements
• Adapting documents to technological developments, particularly in computer-assisted translation (CAT) tools such as eLUNa
• Converting documents into various formats (e.g., MS Office, PDF) and verifying the accuracy of the converted versions

Coordination and Quality Assurance

• Liaising with translators, revisers, and editors to resolve omissions, inconsistencies, or discrepancies between source and target texts
• Proposing appropriate amendments to ensure clarity and accuracy
• Ensuring that all elements of the original document—such as cover pages, tables of contents, country names, pagination, chapters, annexes, footnotes, charts, and appendices—are fully and correctly reflected in the final version

Translation Memory and Workflow Support

• Aligning bilingual texts to support the creation and maintenance of high-quality translation memories
• Contributing to improved workflows and efficiency in CAT tools and document storage systems

Workload and Operational Support

• Handling large volumes of documentation efficiently and independently
• Meeting strict and often competing deadlines
• Working night shifts and/or overtime when required, particularly for the three working languages (English, French, and Spanish), where night work is a regular feature
• Performing additional document processing or routine office‑related tasks as needed to support the effective functioning of the Document Processing Unit

To succeed in this role, candidates must demonstrate a strong set of professional competencies, including:

• Exceptional attention to detail, ensuring consistently accurate output
• Strong organizational and prioritization skills, with the ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines
• Initiative and independence, with confidence in managing assigned tasks
• Adaptability and resilience, particularly in work cycles that involve late hours
• Cultural sensitivity and teamwork, with the ability to collaborate effectively in a multicultural, multilingual environment

Professional Experience and Education

Experience

• A minimum of four years of relevant professional experience is required
• A university degree in a relevant field may be accepted in lieu of two years of experience

Education

• Secondary education or equivalent to university entrance level is essential

Language proficiency is central to this role. Candidates must have:

• Mother-tongue-level command of one IMO official language: English, French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, or Russian
• Excellent knowledge of grammar and spelling in the chosen language
• Complete proficiency in English, both written and spoken
• Knowledge of additional UN official languages is considered a strong asset

Additional Skills

IMO is looking for candidates who are comfortable working with evolving technologies and complex workflows. Desirable skills include:

• Ability to quickly adapt to new software tools and document management systems
• Strong communication skills to coordinate smoothly with translators, revisers, and editors
• Confidence working in a high-volume, deadline-driven environment

Why Consider This Opportunity?

Joining the IMO as a temporary Editorial Assistant offers more than just a job—it provides:

• Exposure to international diplomacy and maritime governance
• Hands‑on experience with UN documentation standards and systems
• Opportunities to work in a multilingual, multicultural professional setting
• Competitive, tax‑free remuneration and flexible working arrangements

For language professionals seeking to apply their skills at an international level, this role is an excellent pathway to broaden experience within the UN system.