Openings at Department for General Assembly and Conference Management – DCS Nairobi

Competencies

• PROFESSIONALISM: : Ability to maintain the highest standard of accuracy, consistency and faithfulness to the spirit, style and nuances of the original text when translating documents on a wide range of topics. Excellent writing skills when translating texts and/or drafting summary records and preparing training or other materials. Ability to exceed workload standards. Knowledge of a broad range of subjects dealt with by the United Nations, i.e. political, social, legal, economic, financial, administrative, scientific and technical subjects, and excellent analytical skills. Knowledge of terminological and reference research techniques, with ability to use all sources of information. Ability to show a high level of versatility, judgment and discretion. Ability to provide useful feedback that helps translators/précis-writers become self-revising and revisers to expand their knowledge and skillset. Familiarity with the issues relating to the 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. Ensures that requirements and background information used for data analysis are documented. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.
• 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 improvement; 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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 impacts of decisions 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 decisions 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 United Nations language competitive examinations held before 2017.
• Successful completion of both degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics or data science programs is desirable.

Job - Specific Qualification

• United Nations Language Competitive Examination for Translators/Précis-writers, Editors, Verbatim Reporters and Copy Preparers/Proofreaders/Production Editors is required.

Work Experience

• A minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in translation, précis- writing, editing, self-revision, verbatim reporting, copy preparing, proofreading, production editing or related area is required.
• Experience in the use of standard computer-assisted-translation (CAT) tools is required.
• Eight years work experience in a multilingual setting is required.
• Managerial experience is desirable.
• At least four years of revision experience within an international organization or an organization of the United Nations system is required.

Languages

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in oral and written Arabic, 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 United Nations language as tested by the relevant United Nations language competitive examination is desirable.

go to method of application »

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 and deliver clear interpretation on a broad range of subjects; 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; ensures that requirements and background information used for data analysis are documented; takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.
• 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.
• CLIENT ORIENTATION: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

Education

• A first-level degree from a university or an institution of equivalent status is required.

Job - Specific Qualification

• Candidates for this position are required to have passed the relevant United Nations Competitive Examination for Editors or the relevant combined United Nations Competitive Examination for Translators/Précis-writers, Editors and Verbatim Reporters; this requirement will be waived for candidates who passed one of the relevant United Nations competitive examinations held before 2017 for Translators/Précis-Writers or Verbatim Reporters, subject to an assessment test to be conducted by the hiring manager as part of the Inspira selection process.

Work Experience

• A minimum of five (5) years of experience in editing or in another relevant language field, and in the use of relevant language technologies, is required, of which three years preferably should have been in the United Nations or a similar international organization.
• Proven experience in editing on a self-revision basis is desirable.

Languages

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, fluency in English, which must be the candidate's main language, and knowledge of at least two other United Nations official languages, as assessed in the relevant United Nations language Competitive Examination is required.