Terminology Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is an agency that leads international efforts to defeat hunger and improve nutrition and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security. Established in 1945, FAO has a mission to achieve food security for all and ensure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. The organization operates in over 130 countries and employs thousands of staff members worldwide, working towards sustainable agricultural practices and the improvement of agrifood systems. FAO's commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to its strategic objectives and operations, aligning with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Job Overview:
The Terminology Specialist position is a critical role within the Language Services Branch (CSGL) of FAO, focusing on the development, maintenance, and delivery of core terminology products and services. The incumbent will work closely with the Terminology Officer and the Arabic Translation Group, contributing to the FAO Terminology Portal and the NOCS database. This role requires a high degree of autonomy and professional judgment, as the specialist will be responsible for ensuring the accuracy, consistency, and quality of linguistic outputs. The position may be home-based or located at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy, and involves significant collaboration with various stakeholders to uphold FAO's linguistic standards.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Terminology Specialist include:

• Contributing to the ongoing development and quality assurance of Arabic entries in the FAO Terminology Portal by adding, revising, proofreading, and validating equivalents in accordance with current linguistic standards.
• Conducting in-depth linguistic and terminological research using authoritative sources to ensure precision and consistency in terminology.
• Ensuring the terminological integrity and scientific accuracy of Arabic technical terms through comprehensive research and collaboration with subject matter experts.
• Reviewing and validating definitions and contextual remarks associated with Arabic terms to ensure they reflect FAO’s institutional voice and technical standards.
• Providing expert responses to terminology-related queries from users of the Terminology Portal, applying established principles of terminology management.
• Maintaining and updating the Arabic-language content of the NOCS database to ensure accuracy and consistency with FAO’s nomenclature standards.
• Performing other related duties as required, demonstrating a commitment to high-quality outputs and adherence to FAO's standards.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must meet the following minimum requirements: For Consultants: An advanced university degree in linguistics, translation, terminology, or a related field from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO. Consultants with a bachelor's degree must have two additional years of relevant professional experience. For PSAs: A university degree in linguistics, translation, terminology, or a related field from an institution recognized by the IAU/UNESCO. Additionally, candidates should have at least one year of relevant experience in terminology, translation, or related areas, along with a working knowledge of English and Arabic.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree in linguistics, translation, terminology, or a related field from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO. For those applying as PSAs, a university degree in the same fields is acceptable. Candidates with a bachelor's degree must have additional professional experience to qualify for the consultant role.

Experience:
The position requires at least one year of relevant experience in terminology, translation, or related areas. Candidates should have experience working in linguistic services within international organizations or multilingual environments, demonstrating a strong understanding of terminology science and principles.

Languages:
Candidates must possess a working knowledge (level C) of English and a working knowledge (mother tongue or equivalent) of Arabic. A limited knowledge of French, Chinese, Russian, or Spanish would be considered an asset, enhancing the candidate's profile for this role.

Additional Notes:
The position may be home-based or located at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy. Candidates will be assessed against the requirements listed above, including their writing, editing, and oral communication skills. Familiarity with FAO’s areas of work is considered an asset, and knowledge of terminography and lexicography would also be beneficial. The role emphasizes results focus, teamwork, communication, building effective relationships, and knowledge sharing.