These three (3) positions are located in the Spanish Translation Section, Languages Service, Department for General Assembly and Conference Management, Geneva. These positions are under the general supervision of the Chief of the Spanish Translation Section.
ResponsibilitiesWithin delegated authority, the Senior Reviser will be responsible for the following duties: - Revises translations dealing with subjects of an exceptionally sensitive, complex or technical nature. - Translates texts of an exceptionally sensitive, complex or technical nature. - Directs the conduct of terminological research within the translation unit concerned. - Assists the Chief of Section in the preparation of terminology materials to meet the needs of the Section concerned. - Assists the Chief of Section in the preparation of instructions. - Assists the Chief of Section in monitoring the quality of in-house and contractual translations. - Trains staff. - Programmes daily and long-term work of the Section. - Assists the Chief of Section in selecting texts for United Nations competitive examinations, in marking candidates’ scripts and in evaluating results. - Serves as officer-in-charge in the absence of the Chief of Section. - Performs other related duties as required.
CompetenciesPROFESSIONALISM: 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 the Translation Services. Excellent technological awareness, be open to new working methods and be able to provide support and help junior staff meet the new workload standard. 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. 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. 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. MANAGING PERFORMANCE: Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority; makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member; accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills; monitors progress against milestones and deadlines; regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff; encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative; actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff; appraises performance fairly. 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.
EducationA first-level degree from a university or institution of equivalent status. Candidates for these positions must have passed the combined United Nations Language Competitive Examination for Translators/Précis-writers, Editors, Verbatim Reporters and Copy Preparers/Proofreaders/Production Editors in Spanish or any United Nations language competitive examination in Spanish held before 2017.
Work ExperienceA minimum of ten years of experience in translation, précis-writing, editing, self-revision, verbatim reporting, copy preparing, proofreading or production editing is required. Experience in the use of standard computer-assisted-translation (CAT) tools is required. Eight years of experience working within a multilingual setting are required. Four years of experience in revision are desirable.
LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For these positions, fluency in Spanish, which must be the candidate’s main language, is required. Spanish translators must also have knowledge of English as tested by the relevant United Nations competitive examination. Knowledge of one other official United Nations language, as tested by the relevant United Nations competitive examination, is desirable.