Head, English Language Section

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

Under the supervision of the Chief, C&P, the Head of English Language Section serves as the team leader and provides authoritative expertise across all assigned responsibilities to deliver the Section’s outputs within the prescribed time, cost and quality standards. The Head fosters a spirit of collaboration and cooperation to achieve results. The Head of English Language Section operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules and takes responsibilities towards the successful achievement of the delegated assignments.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The incumbent:

• Leads the translation team and manages, organizes, and oversees the Section’s work, ensuring the timely and efficient delivery of translation, text-processing and other language services. Studies, evaluates and introduces new working methods, based on the latest developments in the field of translation, text-processing and information technology, making full use where relevant of the latest technological tools using artificial intelligence, such as machine translation, speech to text tools, ChatGPT, etc. and actively seeking to apply them to their daily work.
• Plans the human resources of the Section, based on workload and forecasts, covering all aspects from recruitment and training to performance evaluation. Oversees the outsourcing of work to translation companies or consultants. Allocates tasks within the Section to ensure sufficient human resources at all times, in line with the available budget. Oversees the compilation of statistics for the work of the Section. Closely monitors and approves overtime work within the Section. Ensures continuous learning and development plans for staff.
• Supervises and monitors the quality of the work done in the English Language Section. Closely oversees and supports the training of new translators. Advises the General Secretariat and the Bureaus of the Union on issues related to translation, post-editing or text-processing. Develops and offers guidance on English language style guidelines.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (continuation)

• Participates in discussions and contributes to Department-wide projects such as guidelines, Service Orders, JIU or Internal Auditors’ Reports as necessary.
• Participates in the testing and evaluation of new machine translation engines, post-editing tools, and speech to text technologies Provides feedback on their implementation, and contributes to related projects, particularly those involving computer-aided translation (CAT) tools such as eLuna, with a focus on assessing their applicability and limitations.
• Translates, revises and edits particularly important or sensitive texts.
• Participates in ITU conferences as team leader, reviser or translator; contributes to the work of editorial committees when necessary.
• Participates in terminology-related work and the development of terminology standards; supports the establishment and maintenance of an accurate multilingual term base.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

CORE COMPETENCIES

Applying Expertise; Effective Communication; Learning and Knowledge Sharing; Organizational Commitment; Results-Focused, and; Teamwork and Collaboration.

FUNCTIONAL COMPETENCIES

TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES

• Advanced managerial and strategic planning skills in complex projects and delivering time-sensitive results.
• Proficiency in the use of information technology, including web-based terminology resources, reference and CAT tools.
• Strong drafting and analytical skills necessary for the translation and revision of highly difficult, complex or urgent documents.
• Knowledge of AI-driven language tools and trends, including their applicability.
• Subject-matter expertise relevant to the mandate of the ITU, knowledge of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) terminology would be an advantage.
• Demonstrated ability to plan strategically, lead teams and manage limited resources to meet the needs of a service, with foresight to anticipate challenges.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

Education:

Advanced university degree in translation, modern languages or telecommunications or a related field OR education from a reputed college of advanced education with a diploma of equivalent standard to that of an advanced university degree in one of the fields above. For internal candidates, a first university degree in one of the fields above in combination with fifteen years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree for promotion or rotation purposes.

Experience:

At least ten years of progressively responsible experience in the field of linguistics, including at least five at the international level. A Doctorate in a related field can be considered as a substitute for three years of working experience.

Experience of human resources management, including administration of outsourced work.

Languages:

English mother tongue with excellent knowledge of one of the other official languages of the Union (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish) at advanced level. Knowledge of a third official language would be an advantage.

BENEFITS AND ENTITLEMENTS

Salary:

Total annual salary consists of a net annual salary (net of taxes and before medical insurance and pension fund deductions) in US dollars and a post adjustment (PA) (cost of living allowance). The PA is variable and subject to change without notice in accordance with the rates as set within the UN Common System for salaries and allowances. Annual salary from $ 101,540 + post adjustment $ 82,654

Other allowances and benefits subject to specific terms of appointment, please refer to: https://jobs.itu.int/content/What-we-offer/?locale=en_U