Senior Reviser, French at United Nations

Under the supervision of the Chief of Section, Language Services and within delegated authority, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties:

Responsibilities

• Revises translations and original summary records dealing with subjects of an exceptionally sensitive, complex, or technical nature, while meeting or exceeding required workload standards.
• Translates texts of an exceptionally sensitive, complex, or technical nature, while meeting or exceeding required workload standards.
• Makes full use of standard computer-assisted-translation (CAT) tools and assists the Chief of TES in promoting their utilization and in implementing any related IT tools and improvements.
• Directs the conduct of terminological research within the translation unit.
• Counsels and assists revisers and translators/as required.
• Assists the Chief of TES in the preparation of terminology materials to meet the needs of the section.
• Performs quality control of contractual translations and monitors quality of all documents processed by the unit.
• Trains and supervises junior language staff.
• Programmes daily and long-term work of the unit.
• Assists the Chief of TES in selecting texts for United Nations competitive examinations, in marking candidates’ scripts and in evaluating results.
• Supervises staff within the unit; this includes performance management.
• May serve as officer-in-charge in the absence of the Chief of TES.
• Performs other related duties as required.
• Competencies
• PROFESSIONALISM: Ability to demonstrate excellent writing and analytical skills. Ability to maintain the highest standard of accuracy, consistency and faithfulness to the spirit, style, and nuances of the original text. Knowledge of terminological and reference research techniques with ability to use all sources of information. 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 demonstrate the highest level of versatility, judgement and discretion, tact and negotiating skills. Familiarity with the range of issues relating to management of translation services. 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.
• 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 AND 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. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing.
• JUDGEMENT/DECISION-MAKING: Identifies the key issues in a complex situation and comes to the heart of the problem quickly; gathers relevant information before making a decision; Considers positive and negative impact of decision prior to making them; Takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the organization; Proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information; Checks assumptions against facts; Determines that the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision; Makes tough decision when necessary.

Education

• A first-level degree from a university or institution of equivalent status is required. Candidates for this position must have passed the relevant combined United Nations Language Competitive Examination for Translators/Précis-writers, Editors, Verbatim Reporters and Copy Preparers/Proofreaders/Production Editors or the relevant UN language competitive examinations held before 2017.

Work Experience

• A minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in translation, précis-writing, editing, self-revision, verbatim reporting, copy preparing, proofreading or production editing is required.
• Experience in the use of standard CAT tools is required.
• Eight years working experience within a multilingual setting is required.
• Managerial experience is desirable.

Languages

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in oral and written French, which must be the candidate’s main language, is required. Applicants must also have knowledge of English as tested by the relevant United Nations language competitive examination. Knowledge of one other official UN language as tested by the relevant United Nations language competitive examination is desirable.

NOTE: "fluency equals a rating of "fluent" in all four areas (read, write, speak, understand) and " Knowledge of" equals a rating of " confident" in two of the four areas.