1.
incumbent, person currently in office
A person who currently holds a particular position or office, especially in politics. Often used as a modifier to distinguish the current officeholder from challengers or predecessors.
現職の大臣が辞任した。
The incumbent minister resigned.
選挙では現職が有利だと言われている。
It is said that incumbents have an advantage in elections.
現職の市長が再選を目指して出馬した。
The incumbent mayor ran for re-election.
2.
current position, present post
The position or job that someone currently holds.
現職のまま大学院に通っている。
I am attending graduate school while staying in my current position.
現職に就いてから三年が経った。
Three years have passed since I started my current position.
現職を続けながら資格の勉強をするのは大変だ。
Studying for qualifications while continuing in my current position is difficult.
USAGE:
In sense 1, 現職 is used as both a noun (the incumbent) and a modifier (現職の～). It appears frequently in election coverage and political news. In sense 2, it refers to one's current job or position, often in the phrase 現職のまま (while remaining in one's current position).
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 現職の大統領: incumbent president
- 現職の議員: sitting legislator
- 現職が再選: incumbent wins re-election
- 現職のまま: while in one's current position