Senior Translator/ Reviser (Head of German Unit)

Vacancy No: RAPS/1/2015/RELMEETINGS/01 Title: Senior Translator/ Reviser (Head of German Unit) Grade: P.5 Contract type: Fixed-Term Appointment	Date: 5 March 2015 Application Deadline (midnight Geneva time) 6 April 2015 (13 day(s) until closing deadline) Currently accepting applications   Organization unit:   DDG/MR RELMEETINGS Duty Station:  Geneva, Switzerland
General introduction The following are eligible to apply: - ILO Internal candidates in accordance with paragraphs 31 and 32 of Annex I of the Staff Regulations. - External candidates. Staff members with at least five years of continuous service with the Office are encouraged to apply and will be given special consideration at the screening and evaluation stage. In accordance with the Staff Regulations and letters of appointment, successful candidates for positions in the Professional category would be expected to take up different assignments (field and Headquarters) during their career, the desirable length of an assignment in any specific position being two to five years, following which the incumbent should be willing to move to another assignment and/or duty station. Within the context of the Office's renewed efforts to promote mobility, staff members seeking mobility are encouraged to apply to vacancies. Mobility will be given special consideration at the screening and evaluation stages. The specific language requirements for this position are detailed hereunder. Candidates whose mother tongue is not one of the ILO working languages (English, French and Spanish) shall possess a fully satisfactory working knowledge of at least one of the working languages in order to apply. If appointed, and if so required as per the position requirements, they may be required to acquire a working knowledge of a second working language during their initial years of service in the Office. The ILO values diversity among its staff. We welcome applicants from qualified women and men, including those with disabilities. If you are unable to complete our online application form due to a disability, please send an email to erecruit@ilo.org . Applications from qualified candidates from non- or under-represented member States, or from those member States which staffing forecasts indicate will become non- or under-represented in the near future, would be particularly welcome. A list of these countries is in Appendix I. Successful completion of the Assessment Centre is required for all external candidates. Conditions of employment are described in Appendix II.
INTRODUCTION The position is located in the German Translation and Text Processing Unit of the Official Documentation Branch (OFFDOC/G) in the Department of Official Meetings, Documentation and Relations (RELMEETINGS). OFFDOC is responsible for the editing, translation and revision and text processing of all official ILO documents, including those submitted to the International Labour Conference, the Governing Body, Regional Meetings and Sectoral Meetings as well as documents produced by the Office of the Director-General. This position is Head of the German Translation and Text Processing Unit, which is responsible for translating these documents into German from the other working languages and processing them. The position will report to the Chief of OFFDOC.
Description of Duties Specific duties 1. Maintain contact with the German-speaking constituents to respond appropriately to their specific needs for ILO documentation. 2. Hold preliminary consultations, organize and participate actively in the annual meeting with the German-speaking constituents to finalize the German version of the text of instruments adopted by the International Labour Conference. 3. Assess the Branch work plan in order to determine the future work load and the staff resources needed by the German Translation and Text Processing unit to carry out its tasks. Submit proposals for external recruitment to the Chief of Branch for approval. Contract out work to external collaborators to complement the resources of the unit within the available budgetary resources. 4. Provide authoritative advice to author units with respect to the provision of services and the establishment of requirements. 5. As appropriate, participate on behalf of the German Translation and Text Processing Unit in working groups or committees at the branch, department or Office level to draw up or update the rules, house style and standards for ILO publications and official documents. 6. Actively prospect for, identify, test and select suitable candidates to replenish the roster of German freelance-translators and revisers. Approve the entry of these translators and revisers in the ILO database of external collaborators. Manage these external collaborators so as to foster loyalty to the ILO and thus retain a reliable pool of high-level professionals. 7. Liaise and organize exchanges with the language services of other international organizations. 8. Establish and maintain contact with major translation schools in order to identify potential candidates and keep these institutions abreast of the ILO's requirements. Organize internships for junior translators. 9. Promote the development and use of appropriate CATT (computer-assisted translation and terminology) tools. These specific duties are aligned with the relevant ILO generic job description, which includes the following generic duties: 1. Plan, organize, supervise and monitor the translation, revision and editing work, as well as related terminology and reference work, of a unit providing these services in a single language for the organization. Allocate work to staff, assign staff to particular translation, revision or editing duties, determine and communicate priorities, and control the quality and quantity of output and compliance with established rules, house style and standards. 2. Supervise and evaluate the work performed by the staff of the unit (including short-term staff) and by external collaborators. Provide new staff with guidance and training. Organize the testing of candidates for employment, including prospective contractual translators, and make recommendations regarding the selection of staff. 3. Revise translations of highly sensitive texts and approve finished translations of exceptionally difficult or complex character in the target language. Edit or translate texts that cannot be assigned to other staff due to urgency, confidentiality or importance. 4. Formulate instructions and guidelines governing the work of the unit. 5. Make authoritative linguistic determinations in the target language, and direct the conduct of terminological research within the unit. 6. Recommend action on personnel, budgetary and procedural matters relating to the efficient operations of the unit.
Required Qualifications
Education Advanced university degree in languages or some other relevant field (or the equivalent in experience), and sustained experience in the translation field.
Experience At least ten years of professional translation, revision and editing experience and at least five years at the international level in a senior level position. Experience in the organization of translation and revision work during meetings and conferences.
Languages (See also above) Excellent command of German and a good knowledge of English and French; knowledge of one or more of the other ILO official languages (Russian, Spanish, Chinese, Arabic) is considered advantageous.
Competencies  In addition to the ILO core competencies, this position requires: Technical competencies - Good knowledge of the wide range of subject areas and knowledge of administrative policies and practices of the organization. Ability to make authoritative judgements on linguistic matters and to perform efficiently as managers. Advanced translation and revision skills, and thorough knowledge of specialised concepts and terminology. Extensive knowledge of work practices, methods and processes in the language field. Familiarity with the organization's policies, programmes and procedures. Ability to provide leadership and to motivate and train staff. Judgement, initiative and analytical skills to assume managerial, administrative and supervisory responsibilities. Knowledge of and experience utilising computers including word processing and database software, and ability to use computer based terminological and information tools. Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing. Ability to manage a team of external professionals with tact and discretion. Behavioural Competencies - Excellent interpersonal skills. Ability to maintain a harmonious working environment and good relations with author units. Ability and willingness to address and resolve conflict. Keen sense of responsibility. Sound problem-solving and decision-making skills. Flexibility, capacity to handle a large volume of individual contacts with tact, discretion and diplomacy. Excellent knowledge of the subject matter dealt with by the Organization. Excellent networking skills. The ability to work in a multicultural environment and gender-sensitive behaviour and attitudes are also required.
Additional Information: Evaluation (which may include one or several written tests and a pre-interview competency-based assessment centre) and the interviews will tentatively take place between May and August 2015. Candidates are requested to ensure their availability should they be short listed for further consideration.
APPLICANTS WILL BE CONTACTED DIRECTLY IF SELECTED FOR WRITTEN TEST.
APPLICANTS WILL BE CONTACTED DIRECTLY IF SELECTED FOR AN INTERVIEW.
APPENDIX I
Angola Antigua and Barbuda Armenia Austria Azerbaijan Bahamas Bahrain Barbados Belize Botswana Brazil Brunei Darussalam Cabo Verde, Republic of Cambodia Chad China Congo Cyprus Czech Republic Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste Djibouti Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Gabon Gambia Georgia Grenada Guatemala Guyana Haiti Iceland Indonesia Iraq Japan Kazakhstan Kiribati Kuwait Kyrgyzstan Latvia Liberia Libya Maldives, Republic of the Malta Marshall Islands Montenegro Mozambique Namibia Nicaragua Oman Palau Panama Papua New Guinea Paraguay Poland Qatar Republic of Korea Russian Federation Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Samoa San Marino Saudi Arabia Seychelles Sierra Leone Singapore Slovakia Solomon Islands Somalia South Sudan, Republic of Suriname Swaziland Tajikistan Turkey Turkmenistan Tuvalu United Arab Emirates United States of America Uzbekistan Vanuatu Yemen
APPENDIX II CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
- Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to ILO Staff Regulations and other relevant internal rules. - The first contract will be issued for a twelve-month period (for Geneva-based positions) and a twenty-four month period (for non Geneva-based positions) - A successful external candidate will be on probation for the first two years of assignment. - Any extension of contract beyond the probation period is subject to satisfactory conduct and performance. Grade: P.5 Salary and post adjustment (with dependants) US$ Salary Minimum 87069 rising to Maximum 106712 Post adjustment for Geneva Minimum 86198 Maximum 105644 Salary and post adjustment (without dependants) US$ Salary Minimum 80887 Maximum Maximum 98167 Post adjustment for Geneva Minimum 80078 Maximum 97185
Please note that the above salary levels are determined according to the criteria established by the International Civil Service Commission. The ILO is international public sector employer and salary and other employment conditions are not negotiable. Other allowances and benefits subject to specific terms of appointment: Children's allowance (except for the first child if the dependent rate of salary is paid in respect of that child); Children's education grant (per child per year); Pension and Health Insurance schemes; 30 working days' annual leave; Assignment Grant; Entitlement to transport expenses of personal effects; Repatriation Grant; Home-leave travel with eligible dependants every two years; Rental subsidy (if applicable). Recruitment is normally made at the initial step in the grade. Salaries and emoluments are exempt from taxation by the Swiss authorities and, on the basis of international agreements or national law relating to presence or residence abroad, are generally exempt from taxation by other governments. In the absence of exemption, in most cases tax paid will be reimbursed in accordance with an ILO document which will be supplied upon request. While the successful candidate will be initially working in Geneva, he/she may be assigned to any duty station designated by the Director-General of the ILO.
Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application form. To apply, please visit ILO's e-Recruitment website at: erecruit.ilo.org. The system provides instructions for online application procedures.
The ILO does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process whether at the application, interview, processing or training stage. Messages originating from a non ILO e-mail account - @ilo.org - should be disregarded. In addition, the ILO does not require or need to know any information relating to the bank account details of applicants. Depending on the location and availability of candidates, assessors and interview panel members, the ILO may use communication technologies such as Skype, Video or teleconference, e-mail, etc for the assessment and evaluation of candidates at the different stages of the recruitment process, including assessment centres, technical tests or interviews.