219 - Translator - Ramallah

Application Type : External Vacancy
Job ID/Title : 219 - Translator
Category : Management
Brand : UNDP
Post Level : SB4/2
Application Deadline : 10-Aug-09
Duty Station : Ramallah
Type of Contract : Service Contract
Post Number :
(for 100 Series Contracts)
Languages Required :
Arabic, English,
Starting Date :
(date when the selected canditate is expected to start)
Duration of Initial Contract : One year with possible extension
Expected Duration of Assignment :
Background:

The United Nations Development Program/Program of Assistance to the Palestinian People (UNDP/PAPP) has launched a Capacity Development Initiative (CDI) to support the Palestinian governing institutions to better perform their functions and effectively deliver improved services to the citizens. For this purpose, the UNDP/PAPP program will enhance the capacity of the Ministry of Planning in the design, coordination and facilitation and monitoring of capacity development at the national level. This would include the development of capacity of government institutions in implementing institutional reform, developing human resources and designing a transparent human resource management policy and system.

Objective
Under the direct supervision of the Chief Technical Adviser (CTA), The Translator /Interpreter will provide professional services to the Capacity Development Initiative Programme and be based in Ramallah and work with the Capacity Development team in PA institutions as the activities and needs demand.
Description of Responsibilities:
Under the direct supervision of the CTA, the incumbent will perform the following professional duties and responsibilities:
1. Provide translation and interpreting service to facilitate the operational demands of the programme and facilitate the implementation of all the activities of the programme:
a.    Translate documents as required in a timely and professional manner, from Arabic to English and English to Arabic
b.    Ensure the timely production of translated documents to a high quality
c.    Provide professional interpreting service to the Capacity Development Initiative team as required, Arabic to English and English to Arabic
d.    Ensure that the quality of the translation services are in accordance with best practice
e.    Provide short-term international and local consultants, with translation and Interpreting services as requested
f.     The Translator will also provide administration and technical backstopping and support to the short-term consultants and coordinate and facilitate their operations
g.    The Translator will also be expected to provide general administration and backstopping to the Capacity Development Initiative Programme project team as required
h.    The Translator will provide professional symaltation Interpreting services to facilitate workshops, training events and consultation meetings, Arabic to English/English to Arabic and ensure effective communication
i.      The Translator will provide professional translation of technical documents, reports, work shop and training material and letters from Arabic to English/English to Arabic as requested by the (CDI) team
j.     The Translator will also provide project administration and technical support to the project management team in their daily tasks
k.    Provide administrative support in organization of training events and activities, workshops and other project events.
l.      Provide logistical support to the communications team, including initiatives such as media workshops, press briefings, report launches, project documentation and booklets and any promotional activities related to the Capacity Development Initiative Programme activities, including photocopying and printing and binding of training documents.
m. The Translator will also ensure that all project files related to the Capacity Development Initiative Programme complies with the UNDP project documentation procedures and assist with any administration of UNDP or Donor audits which may take place during the course of the implementation of the Capacity Development Initiative Programme.
n.    To undertake any other Translation/Interpretation and administrative duties which may be requested by the Capacity Development Initiative team members to implement the programme activities.  
To provide quality control of external service providers and proofreading:
 
1)    To assist with the UNDP procurement process in requesting external translation and interpreting services as required to facilitate the Capacity Development Initiative Programme activities, under the specific direction of the CTA  
 
2) To provide professional proofreading of documents sent to external translation services), and texts for the Capacity Development Initiative Programme news letter(electronic newsletter) and Intranet.
 
3) To provide professional proofreading of UNDP Capacity Development Initiative Programme external documents such as: materials for the media, including press releases, media advisories, publications, reports, and other editorial-related texts and provide comments to the UNDP communications department.
 
4) To ensure all text, including text contained in figures, boxes, tables, photo captions, sources and covers requires translations and proofreading. Proofreading and editing will be done primarily using Adobe Acrobat 6. Proofreading and editing of MS Word documents will make use of track changes.
 
5) The Translator/Interpreter will also be expected to perform terminology research (i.e. on UN/UNDP/UNTerm websites and UNDP Capacity Development links) to ensure the accuracy and appropriateness of all translations. The translator is also responsible for ensuring quality and accuracy of the entire documents before submitting or recommending acceptance from the external translators to the CTA.
Competencies :
. C Corporate Competencies:
·         Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards
·         Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP in daily work and in professional conduct
·         Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
·         Treats all people fairly without favoritism
 
2.   Functional Competencies:
 
Knowledge Management and Learning
·         Promotes a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the office
·         Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in Translation, Languages and Interpretation and in UNDP administration skills and acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills
 Development and Operational Effectiveness
·         Ability to perform a variety of Translation and Interpretation specialized tasks related to the direct support and implementation of the capacity development initiative programme.
·         Ability to provide quality control in respect to all externally and internally translated documents and simultaneous interpretation services
·         Good knowledge of IT technology and MS office software and programs.
·         Effective working relations in support of work and activities conducted by the CDI team working closely with external consultants and the beneficiary institutions    
·         Ability to develop understanding on UNDP project administration and procedures  
 Management and Leadership   
·          Focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback
·          Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude 
·          Demonstrates strong oral and written communications skills in both Arabic and English
·          Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure
·          Demonstrates openness to change and ability to work under pressure with tight deadlines
·          Demonstrates ability to work as a team member and team player
     
 
 
Qualifications :
1)    Bachelors Degree in English, other Foreign Languages, Social Sciences, International Relation, Business Administration or any other related field from a well recognized University.
2)    Masters Degree in Linguistics / Languages desirable  
3)    Fluency in Arabic and English language essential
4)    Outstanding translation and interpreting skills in English, and Arabic language.
5)    4 to 6 years of relevant Translation/Interpretation and general administration support experience is required
6)     Ability to work under pressure and meet strict deadlines  
7)     Ability to produce a high volume of quality content and provide administrative support 
8)     Ability to provide high quality interpreting service (Simultaneous translation)  
9)     Experience with the UN system in general and UNDP in particular desirable.
10) Demonstrated willingness to work as part of a team in a multicultural environment
11)High proficiency with computers in particular MS Word, MS Excel, MS Outlook and the Internet
“ UNDP/PAPP is an equal opportunity employer: applications from men and women will be considered equally”