Simultaneous Interpreters are required to provide simultaneous interpretation service at meetings of the Legislative Council, District Councils and other Government boards and committees and at press conferences, conferences, functions and visits; to assist in administering and co-ordinating activities related to the provision of simultaneous interpretation service; to compile glossaries for reference; and to assist in the recruitment exercises and training of simultaneous interpreters. Officers already proficient in Putonghua will in due course be required to provide Putonghua interpretation. Officers not yet proficient in Putonghua will be required to provide Putonghua simultaneous interpretation service after training. (Note: Simultaneous Interpreters are required to work irregular hours and/or outside Hong Kong, wear headphones and operate console while working.)

Applicants should: (a) have a bachelor’s degree from a university in Hong Kong, or equivalent [Note 1]; (b) have attained ‘Level 2’ results in the two language papers (Use of Chinese and Use of English) in the Common Recruitment Examination (CRE) [Note 2]; (c) have seven years’ post-qualification experience; (d) be fully proficient in Chinese (Cantonese and preferably Putonghua) and English; and (e) be able to interpret simultaneously with precision and at a great speed from English into Cantonese and preferably Putonghua, and vice versa. (Remarks: Applicants will be required to pass the Simultaneous Interpretation Test (SIT) [details given in the Paragraph below].) Simultaneous Interpretation Test (SIT): The SIT consists of two phases and will be conducted in Hong Kong. Eligible applicants will be invited to sit for Phase 1 of SIT, which is tentatively scheduled for mid-October 2013. Phase 1 of SIT consists of simultaneous interpretation aided with text. Applicants who have passed Phase 1 will be invited to attend a briefing/practice session for Phase 2 of SIT in mid-November 2013. Phase 2 of SIT, which consists of three parts, namely simultaneous interpretation of ad-lib discussions and speeches and speech giving, is tentatively scheduled for early December 2013. During Phase 2 of SIT, applicants must pass each part of the test before they could proceed to the next part. Applicants are required to pass the SIT before they will be further considered for selection interviews. Those who have failed in any phase of SIT will be notified in writing around eight weeks after the test. As it takes time to process all applications, an invitation to the SIT does not imply that applicants’ qualifications meet the entry requirements.