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Knowledge Centre on Interpretation

Interpreters needed

for the EU Military Assistance Mission in support of Ukraine

EUMAM logo

Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified war of aggression against Ukraine has brought war back to Europe. The EU and international partners are providing substantial political, military, financial and humanitarian support to Ukraine. This support includes unprecedented support to the Ukrainian Armed Forces (UAF), including military equipment as well training to the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

Mission mandate

The EU Military Assistance Mission in support of Ukraine (EUMAM Ukraine) is aimed at strengthening the capacity of the Ukrainian Armed Forces to defend Ukraine’s territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders and to deter and respond to possible future military offensives by Russia and other potential aggressors.

Concretely, EUMAM Ukraine provides training to the Ukrainian Armed Forces personnel at basic, advanced and specialised levels on medical assistance, CBRN, demining, logistics and communication, maintenance and repair, among others. It also provides junior leadership training from section/squad and platoon levels up to company, including operational training: preparation of companies, battalions and brigades in collective manoeuvres and tactics up to battalion level; and advice on the planning, preparation and conduct of live firing exercises.

EUMAM works closely together with all other like-minded international partners to provide training support to the Ukrainian Armed Forces. EUMAM is open to the participation of third states. All mission activities are located on EU soil.

So far, the contributing nations, 24 EU Member States and 1 Third State, have offered training modules and personnel. The training is supported by the provision of equipment for lethal and non-lethal purposes to the Ukrainian Armed Forces. This equipment is provided by Member States and Third States and funded by the European Peace Facility.

Political control and strategic direction

EUMAM Ukraine, under the responsibility of the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and of the Council of the EU.
The Military Planning and Conduct Capability (MPCC), based in Brussels, is the Operational Headquarters and ensures the overall coordination and synchronisation at the strategic level within EUMAM Ukraine’s framework.
The integration of the training components to create formed units takes place in a multinational Combined Arms Training Command (CAT-C) established in Poland. A multinational Special Training Command (STC) commands training activities in Germany to further enhance the training offer in full coordination with CAT-C. Other contributing nations provide specific training across Europe.

Request for support

Many interpreters are needed for the different types of training in several contributing nations. The better the knowledge and skills can be transferred, the more effectively the trained Ukrainian soldiers can apply this in practice. Interpreters are really one of the critical success factors during the training.

In several contributing nations there is a persistent shortage of interpreters who are willing and able to support the training. As a result, the training goals can sometimes be insufficiently achieved. This is where we could really use your support.

In close cooperation with SCIC (the Directorate-General for Interpretation of the European Commission), the MPCC initiated a campaign to activate SCIC’s wide European network with the objective to acquire more interpreters for the respective contributing nations.

Are you interested in making a contribution or do you know someone who would? Please register as soon as possible and/or spread this message.

The trainings only take place on the territory of the contributing nations. The circumstances on the ground aren't always easy, as you might imagine. Terrain and weather conditions and the often-specific military jargon make the interpreter's work challenging but interesting. Due to this military working environment and according to national regulations, potential interpreters are subject to a security screening in advance.

Your contribution can make a difference and represent an important aid to the success of the Mission.

Are you interested in applying? The points of contact in the contributing nations (see list below) are waiting for your swift response. The required language combinations are each time the respective national language of the country to Ukrainian and vice versa, as well as English to Ukrainian and vice versa. So for instance for Slovenia you can apply if your language combination is Slovenian to Ukrainian and vice versa, as well as English to Ukrainian and vice versa, and the same for the other countries and their respective language.

Each contributing nation has different laws and regulations for the use of interpreters. Your deployment as an interpreter for the Mission is therefore only the responsibility of the specific nation and not of MPCC or SCIC.

The contributing nations who would like to receive your response are:

Country Points of Contact Email
Cyprus Ministry of Defence, International Affairs Directorate of the General Staff intaffairsarmy@cytanet.com.cy 
Germany

Bundessprachenamt (Referat SMD 3)

 BSprAAusbildungsunterstuetzungUKR@bundeswehr.org 
Italy Italian Defence General Staff - General Affairs Division, Language Service Section, LTC Paolo Cappelli, Military Interpreter, Chief of Language Services

quinto.casl@smd.difesa.it

Slovenia Ministry of Defence Defence Affairs Directorate Mr. Marko Ogrizek marko.ogrizek@mors.si
Spain Toledo Training Center, J3/5/7 OF-3 Espinosa Rubio movil11_ttcc_j7@mde.es

 

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