Searching for a term, foreign derivation but used in English

Question

There's a word of foreign derivation but used in English for a position within an organization created to provide someone favored by that organization a paid position with no real duties. Is anyone familiar with this word? I can't remember it.

Answer 1

I believe sinecure is the word you are looking for:

sinecure
NOUN

A position requiring little or no work but giving the holder status or financial benefit.
‘political sinecures for the supporters of ministers’

Origin
Mid 17th century: from Latin sine cura ‘without care’.

Oxford Living Dictionaries