The Pacific Community (SPC) invites applications for the position of Project Officer / Translator (French) within its Operations and Management Directorate. This position will be located at its headquarters in Noumea, New Caledonia.
Description
The Pacific Community (SPC) is the principal scientific and technical organisation in the Pacific region, supporting development since 1947. We are an international development organisation owned and governed by our 26 country and territory members. In pursuit of sustainable development to benefit Pacific people, our unique organisation works across more than 25 sectors. We are known for our knowledge and innovation in such areas as fisheries science, public health surveillance, geoscience, and conservation of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture.
The Operations and Management Directorate (OMD) provides corporate services to all SPC Divisions and Programmes. It consists of three key departments: Finance, Human Resources and Information Services. OMD is focused on improving the effectiveness of systems, policies and management to provide high-quality customer-oriented services.
The role – the Project Officer / Translator (French) will be responsible for managing translation projects as well as translating documents from English into French to enable SPC to operate as a bilingual organisation in compliance with its mandate so as to stimulate knowledge flows and for practical purposes.
The key responsibilities of the role include the following:
Translation and language pre-processing of documents
• Produce translations and, eventually, self-revised translations from English to French in a wide range of technical and scientific areas, as well as dealing with general SPC materials which may be highly sensitive and complex.
• Pre-process and pre-translate, where needed, certain translation requests for work done in-house or outsourced.
• Work in close collaboration with colleagues to ensure consistency and quality.
Translation project management
• Prepare and manage translation projects for freelances and, in some cases, for the in-house translation team, using both Multitrans and Studio.
• Ensure, from start to completion, follow-up on assigned translation projects, mainly from English to French, particularly in terms of meeting deadlines and communication with clients.
• Track and update the status of tasks and requests in ServiceNow.
• For self-revised freelance projects, ensure quality control before document delivery.
• Under the supervision of the Translation Coordinator/Reviser (French), support the work to anticipate and monitor SPC Divisions’ translation needs (technical meetings, reports, etc.).
Support in managing freelances
• Keep in touch with freelances and update the freelance availability schedule as needed and be able to quickly draw up the availability table to guide the Translation Coordinator/Reviser (French) in freelance selection.
• Ensure that translation requests are sent to freelances, by working with the Senior Administrative Assistant – Process translations and serve as the reference point for freelancers.
• Under the supervision of the Translation Coordinator/Reviser (French), take part in selection of freelances, maintain a file on the quality of services provided by the freelances selected as part of the call for expressions of interest (EIO), and help prepare the freelance survey.
Terminology
• Help broaden the SPC terminology database by submitting terms for new terminology records.
• Help manage terminology projects and tools.
For a more detailed account of the key responsibilities, please refer to the online job description.
Key selection criteria
1. Qualifications
• Postgraduate degree in translation or in a related field.
2. Technical expertise
• At least 5 years of professional experience as a translator and 2 years as a translation project manager in an international or government organisation or a major translation agency, or as a freelance translator working mainly with international organisations.
• Excellent command of translation technologies, especially Studio.
• Broad general knowledge and thorough understanding of a wide range of technical and scientific subjects in both languages.
• Ability to work quickly and efficiently under pressure.
• Ability and willingness to learn and adapt to new technologies, strategic change and methodologies.
3. Language skills
• First-language-level French and very good command of English.
4. Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness
• Good interpersonal skills and ability to work in a multi-cultural environment.
• Knowledge of Pacific Island countries and territories is an advantage.
Salary, terms and conditions
Contract Duration – This vacant position is budgeted for 3 years and is subject to renewal depending on funding and performance.
Due to the current travel restrictions caused by the global COVID-19 pandemic, and the priority SPC places on its staff safety, health and well-being, please note that there may be delays in taking up the appointment. These matters will be discussed thoroughly with successful candidates. In most cases, any appointment and on-boarding would only commence when relocation to the duty station is permitted.
Remuneration – the Project Officer / Translator (French) is a band 10 position in SPC’s 2021 salary scale, with a starting salary range of SDR (special drawing rights) 3,490-4,267 per month, which converts to approximately XPF 510,921-624,563 (USD 4,852-5,931; EUR 4,282-5,234). An offer of appointment for an initial contract will normally be made in the lower half of this range, with due consideration being given to experience and qualifications. Progression within the salary scale is based on annual performance reviews. SPC salaries are not presently subject to income tax in New Caledonia.
Benefits for international staff employees based in New Caledonia – SPC provides subsidised housing in Noumea. Establishment and repatriation grant, removal expenses, airfares, home leave travel, health and life and disability insurances and education allowances are available for eligible employees and their eligible dependents. Employees are entitled to 25 working days of annual leave per annum and other types of leave, and access to SPC’s Provident Fund (contributing 8 % of salary, to which SPC adds a matching contribution).
Languages – SPC’s working languages are English and French.**Recruitment principles** – SPC’s recruitment is based on merit and fairness, and candidates are competing in a selection process that is fair, transparent and non-discriminatory. SPC is an equal-opportunity employer, and is committed to cultural and gender diversity, including bilinguism, and will seek to attract and appoint candidates who respect these values. Due attention is given to gender equity and the maintenance of strong representation from Pacific Island professionals. If two interviewed candidates are ranked equal by the selection panel, preference will begiven to the Pacific Islander. Applicants will be assured of complete confidentiality in line with SPC’s private policy.
How to apply:
Application procedure
Closing date: 21 November 2021 – 11:00 pm (Noumea time)
Job Reference: AL000433
Applicants must apply online at http://careers.spc.int/
Hard copies of applications will not be accepted.
For your application to be considered, you must provide us with:
· an updated resume with contact details for three professional referees
· a cover letter detailing your skills, experience and interest in this position
· responses to all screening questions
Please ensure your documents are in Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF format.
All positions at SPC have specific screening questions. If you do not respond to all of the screening questions, your application will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed at shortlisting stage.
Screening questions (maximum of 2.000 characters per question):
Please describe your translation project management, explaining the tools and methods used and giving concrete examples.
What methods would you use to ensure quality control of freelance translations?
In your words how can high-quality customer service be balanced with a versatile position? What constitutes excellent customer service?