Chief, Language Services

• FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture
• Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply
• Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO's values
• FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination　　
• All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
• All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality
• FAO staff are subject to the authority of the Director-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the Organization.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind.

Organizational Setting

The Governing Bodies Servicing Division (CSG) houses the Secretariat of the Conference and the Council and supports all other Governing and Statutory Bodies of FAO. It provides corporate Language goods and services, as well as Protocol and Meetings services to the Organization.

The Language Branch (CSGL) within CSG anchors multilingualism within FAO, housing the Organization’s language expertise, and providing interpretation, translation and terminology goods and services for all six FAO languages across the span of corporate governance, normative, operational and communication functions. It also supports the provision of FAO products in local languages and is responsible for language quality assurance within the Organization.

The position is located in the Governing Bodies Servicing Division (CSG) at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.

Reporting Lines

The Chief, Language Services Branch reports to the Director CSG.

Summary of Duties and Functions

Under the guidance of the Director CSG supported by the Deputy Director CSG, and as a member of the CSG Management Team, the Chief, Language Services

• Manages the CSG Language Services Branch (CSGL), working in close collaboration with fellow heads of the Secretariat, Protocol and Meeting services branches;
• Leads the operations for effective and efficient delivery of interpretation, translation and terminology goods and services, in the six languages of the Organization, for meetings of Governing Bodies and other meetings, as well as for corporate communication, programmatic, technical and other materials;
• Supervises the heads of the language translation and interpretation groups, and translation programming, ensuring optimal programming, prioritisation and delivery;
• Ensures the language quality assurance within the Organization;
• Ensures the integrity, efficiency and enhancement of processes, instruments and systems relating to the delivery of language goods and services;
• Develops and implements the Organization’s strategic policy framework for multilingualism; and
• Performs other duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced University degree in Translation, Interpretation, Linguistics, International Relations, Social Sciences, Political Sciences or another field relevant to the work of FAO;
• Minimum twelve years of relevant experience in language services, translation or interpretation in the United Nations, and/or national governmental or intergovernmental entities;
• Proven track record of successful operational management of translation and/or interpretation teams, and language quality assurance;
• Ability to lead and work effectively with a diverse team of people of different national and cultural backgrounds in an international setting;
• Working knowledge of English and of one of the other FAO official languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).

Leadership Competencies