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Chief, Arabic Translation Unit

Addis Ababa

  • Organization: UNECA - United Nations Economic Commission for Africa
  • Location: Addis Ababa
  • Grade: Mid level - P-4, International Professional - Internationally recruited position
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Translations and Languages
    • Managerial positions
    • Public Information and Conference Management, Language
  • Closing Date: Closed

Org. Setting and Reporting

The Economic Commission for Africa’s (ECA) mission is to deliver ideas and actions for an empowered and transformed Africa; informed by the 2030 Agenda and Agenda 2063.

The mission will be guided by ECA’s five new strategic directions which are:

Advancing ECA’s position as a premier knowledge institution that builds on its unique position and privilege to bring global solutions to the continent’s problems and take local solution to the continent; developing macroeconomic and structural policy options to accelerate economic diversification and job creation; designing and implementing innovative financing models for infrastructure, and for human, physical and social assets for a transforming Africa; contributing solutions to regional and transboundary challenges, with a focus on peace security and social inclusion as an important development nexus; advocating Africa’s position at the global level and developing regional responses as a contribution to global governance issues.

This position is located in the Publications, Conference and Knowledge Management Division (PCKMD), Publications and Conference Management Section (PCMS). Under the supervision of the Chief, Publications and Conference Management Section, the incumbent will be in charge of the Arabic Translation Unit (ATU).

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Arabic Reviser/Chief of the Arabic Translation Unit (ATU) will be responsible for the following duties:

- Advises the Chief, Publications and Conference Management Section on all issues dealing with Arabic translation at ECA;

- Plans medium-term activities of the Arabic Translation Unit and evaluates the temporary staff recruitment needs, in consultation with the Documents Planning and Monitoring Unit (DPMU);

- Plans and supervises the day-to-day activities of the Arabic Translation Unit;

- Ensures that deadlines are met for Arabic translation, in consultation and coordination within and outside the Section;

- Ensures that the ATU provides, within specified deadlines, quality, clear, concise, revised documents in conformity with United Nations standards;

- At the request of the DPMU, checks the quality of Arabic translations subcontracted by ECA in order to give an opinion on subcontracted Arabic translations in conformity with United Nations standards;

- Takes part in the recruitment of permanent staff for the Arabic Translation Unit and Text Processing Sub Unit;

- Acts as First Reporting Officer for the staff of the Arabic Translation Unit and Second Reporting Officer for the staff of the Text Processing Sub Unit (e-Performance);

- Supervises, counsels and assists translators/précis-writers and briefs them on the procedures and practices of the service, terminology and a broad range of subjects, as required;

- Promotes teamwork and communication among staff members of the Arabic Translation Unit and those of the Publications and Conference Management Section;

- As the Arabic reviser, the incumbent takes part in the Unit's translation activities. In this regard, he/she: Revises translations on a broad range of subjects dealt with by the Economic Commission for Africa; Translates without revision highly specialized or urgent texts. Within multilingual teams composed of all categories of language staff using several languages, the Head of the Arabic Translation Unit contributes to the linguistic servicing of major ECA conferences, by directing, in particular, the work of the Unit at ECA ministerial conferences and other major events held in or outside Addis Ababa; Carries out linguistic research and contributes to the building of terminology databases; Serves as a coordinator of e-LUNA and g-Text projects; Serves as officer-in-charge in the absence of the Chief of Section; Performs other related duties as required.

Competencies

Professionalism: Ability to demonstrate good writing skills; high standard of accuracy, consistency and faithfulness to the spirit, style and nuances of the original text with a good grasp of the subject matter. Knowledge of a broad range of subjects dealt with by the United Nations, i.e., political, social, legal, economic, financial, administrative, scientific and technical. Ability to use all sources of references, consultation and information relevant to text at hand. Ability to work under pressure and maintain adequate speed and volume of output. Ability to show a high level of versatility, judgement and discretion. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

Teamwork:-Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals-Solicits input by genuinely valuing others' ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others-Places team agenda before personal agenda- Supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position-Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

Planning & Organizing:-Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies-Identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required-Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work-Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning-Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary-Uses time efficiently.

Leadership: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow: empowers others to translate vision into results; is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives; establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support; anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions; drives for change and improvements; does not accept the status quo; shows the courage to take unpopular stands.

Education

Degree from a university or from an institution of equivalent status required. Must have passed the United Nations Language Competitive Examination for Arabic translators/précis-writers.

Work Experience

A minimum of five years of experience in translation, précis-writing, self-revision and use of relevant computer software, electronic tools and databases, of which three preferably should have been within the United Nations.
Knowledge of a broad range of subjects dealt with by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (political, social, legal, economic, financial, administrative, scientific and technical) with a recognized specialization in a particular substantive, technical or administrative area is desirable.

Languages

A perfect command of Arabic, which must be the candidate's main language, an excellent knowledge of English and knowledge of another official language of the United Nations (preferably French), as tested by the United Nations Language Competitive Examination for Arabic, translators/précis-writers and demonstrated by performance in an Organization, are required

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which will be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice

Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures.

The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential.

For this position, applicants from the following Member States, which are unrepresented or underrepresented in the UN Secretariat as of 31 May 2020, are strongly encouraged to apply: Afghanistan, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahrain, Belize, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, China, Comoros, Cuba, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Japan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Monaco, Mozambique, Nauru, Norway, Oman, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Solomon Islands, South Sudan, Suriname, Timor-Leste, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Vanuatu, Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

United Nations Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.

Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.

The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.

This vacancy is now closed.
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