UN Opens Applications for Competitive Exam for German Translators

The United Nations has opened applications for a competitive examination for German-language translators, with successful candidates placed on a roster for future recruitment at UN Headquarters in New York.

The examination, run by the UN’s Department for General Assembly and Conference Management (DGACM), is intended to fill P-2 and P-3 level translator roles in the German Translation Section as vacancies arise. P-2 and P-3 correspond to entry- and mid-level professional positions within the UN system. The posting does not specify a fixed number of positions.

According to the job notice, translators recruited from the roster will be responsible for translating a broad range of UN documentation into German, including texts in political, legal, economic, administrative, scientific, and technical fields.

The selection process consists of a three-part, eliminatory examination. The first stage involves online translation tests from English into German. Candidates who pass will be invited to a second stage, which includes a proctored remote test featuring additional translation tasks and a post-editing exercise. The final stage comprises a competency-based interview.

The UN notes that access to dictionaries and other resources during the examination will be limited, as determined by the Board of Examiners.

Applicants must demonstrate near-native proficiency in German and English, as well as working knowledge of either French or Spanish. Knowledge of additional UN languages, including Arabic, Russian, or Chinese, is listed as desirable.

Successful candidates selected from the roster are normally offered an initial fixed-term appointment at the P-2 level for a trial period of two years, with the possibility of promotion to P-3. Fully qualified translators with several years of professional experience may be recruited directly at the P-3 level. The posting further outlines expectations around workload, self-revision, and service needs, including the possibility of work outside normal hours.

Applications close on 15 February 2026, with the first part of the examination scheduled for 27 March 2026.

The UN is also recruiting for other language-related roles across its system, including consultant and contractor positions for translators and field interpreters. These roles differ from the German translator posting, which targets staff-level appointments through a competitive exam and roster-based recruitment.