My name is Irene McClure and I specialise in the French to English translation of documents relating to international relations (politics, development, NGOs, international organisations ...) and employment (human resources, labour relations, company policies, employee handbooks ...)

Education
I hold a First Class MA Honours degree in Political Philosophy, English and French from the University of Glasgow (winner of prize for top graduate in mental philosophy). I subsequently achieved a Diplome d'Etudes Superieures (DES) in Political Science (International Relations, International Law, International History) from the Institut de Hautes Etudes Internationales in Geneva, Switzerland (winner of scholarship for overseas students from Swiss Government). Dissertation focussed upon nationalism and the development of the nation state.

Certificate in Advanced French from the University of Geneva.
Certificate in Advanced French from the Cours Industriels de Genève.

Summary of career to date
Three years as Migration Researcher with the International Labour Organisation based in Geneva. Work focussed upon analysis of international legal instruments in the field of migration for employment (ILO and UN instruments). Research, drafting and proofreading in a trilingual team (EN, FR, SP) of international report on improving the protection of migrant workers. Work including field posting to the Phillipines to examine South East Asian gender equality legislation and the impact of female migration.

Four years as NGO liaison officer at the Anti-Racism Information Service in Geneva. Work focussed upon assisting NGOs to research and draft reports for submission to the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, including providing advice on the legal implications of the Convention, and the provision of FR to EN translations in advance and during sessions of the Committee.

Three years as Senior Public Affairs Officer with the UK's Commission for Racial Equality heading up the press office and responding to media inquiries on behalf of the organisation. Principal advisor to private sector companies on the development of equality policies and preventing racial discrimination in the workplace. Trade union representative.

Three years as Senior Press Officer to the Minister for Health in the Scottish Government. This work involved being first point of contact for journalists wishing to interview the Minister or Deputy Minister or to have their comments on all topics related to health care, the NHS, nursing, dentistry, preventative medicine and healthy living on behalf of the Scottish Government. Included daily briefing of Minister and Deputy Minister on media reports relating to any aspect of the health agenda. I built up a wide range of expertise in the field of public health.

As well as heading up a small team of junior press officers in my latter role, I also regularly worked the night and weekend rota system which meant being the sole point of contact for the Scottish Government during non-working hours on any subject. Media inquiries often covered diverse subjects involving gaining a rapid yet comprehensive grasp of unfamiliar subjects, calling upon other senior staff members and Ministers for advice and input as required. I have found this skill to be invaluable in my work as a translator, which often requires building a specialist understanding of a subject and its vocabulary in a short space of time.

Extensive drafting experience particularly in the form of newspaper articles, research publications, press releases, media statements and comments.
I translate a wide range of material for direct clients and translation agencies throughout the world. My specialist subjects reflect my career path to date, including international relations, government, politics, human rights, public health and healthcare, media and journalism.

For more information about my background and samples of my work, please see my website, www.savtrad.com

Don't hesitate to get in touch for more information or a personalised quote!