The International Criminal Court (ICC) is offering interpreter positions carrying salaries of up to about P5.1 million a year as it continues preparations for the trial of former president Rodrigo Duterte on charges of crimes against humanity.

Based on a vacancy announcement published by the ICC Registry's Language Services Section, the court is recruiting an Associate Court Interpreter specializing in Filipino (Tagalog) and Cebuano (Bisaya) for work at its headquarters in The Hague, Netherlands.

The position carries a minimum net annual salary of €71,173, equivalent to roughly P5.1 million at current exchange rates.

The ICC described the amount as a net annual salary. However, the court did not specify when successful applicants would begin work, meaning actual earnings would depend on the employee's start date and length of service.

The vacancy announcement states that the appointment is under a fixed-term contract ending Dec. 31, 2026, with applications open until July 4.

According to the ICC, the successful applicant will provide simultaneous and consecutive interpretation during courtroom hearings, witness testimony, conferences, and other proceedings.

The interpreter will also be tasked with translating and proofreading documents, preparing databases of legal and technical terminology, and providing language support to court personnel.

Applicants must possess an advanced university degree, preferably in interpretation, translation, linguistics, law, or a related field.

The ICC also requires at least two years of relevant professional experience and a high level of proficiency in English, Filipino, and/or Cebuano.

Candidates who pass the initial screening process will undergo aptitude testing, interviews, interpreter training, and accreditation before being assigned to courtroom proceedings.

The latest vacancy is not the first time the ICC has sought Filipino-language interpreters.

The court previously advertised a Paraprofessional Interpreter position specializing in Filipino (Tagalog) and Cebuano (Bisaya).

That position carried a minimum net annual salary of €55,665, or approximately P4 million a year.

Like the current vacancy, the paraprofessional interpreter post was based in The Hague and involved interpretation, translation, terminology preparation, and training duties.

Both positions form part of the ICC Registry's Language Services Section, which provides interpretation and translation services to judges, prosecutors, defense teams, victims' representatives, witnesses, and court staff.

The hiring comes as the ICC moves closer to the opening of Duterte's trial, which has been scheduled for Nov. 30.

Trial Chamber III set the date following a status conference and after considering the timetable for the submission of witness lists, evidence, and trial briefs.

Before the trial opens, the chamber is scheduled to hold a second status conference on June 23 and a third status conference on July 14.

The prosecution is required to submit its provisional witness list by June 29. Its final witness list, documentary evidence, and trial brief are due on Aug. 31.

The legal representatives of victims must submit their trial brief by Sept. 28, while the defense has until Oct. 30 to file its own trial brief.

The chamber said it will resolve pending matters and adopt procedures necessary to ensure the fair and expeditious conduct of the proceedings before the trial begins.

Duterte was surrendered to the ICC on March 12, 2025, after an arrest warrant issued by Pre-Trial Chamber I was made public.

On April 23 this year, Pre-Trial Chamber I unanimously confirmed three counts of crimes against humanity against the former president and committed the case to trial.

The proceedings are now being handled by Trial Chamber III, composed of Presiding Judge Joanna Korner, Judge Keebong Paek, and Judge Nicolas Guillou.

While the ICC has not directly linked the recruitment drive to Duterte's case, Filipino and Cebuano are among the primary languages expected to be used by potential witnesses and participants in the proceedings.