Org. Setting and Reporting

The editing and translation services of the United Nations Secretariat are responsible for the timely provision of parliamentary documentation and key publications in the six official languages of the United Nations. These two positions are located in the Arabic Translation Service (ATS), Documentation Division (DD), Department for General Assembly and Conference Management (DGACM), New York. The incumbents work under the general supervision of the Chief of the Arabic Translation Service.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Reviser will be responsible for the following duties: • Revises translations and/or original summary records dealing with a broad range of subjects dealt with by the United Nations, while meeting required workload standards and deadlines, and provides feedback that helps revisees become autonomous, self-revising translators/précis-writers. • Translates on a self-revising basis texts covering a broad range of subjects dealt with by the United Nations, particularly those subjects requiring experience and recognized proficiency, while meeting required workload standards and deadlines. • Drafts and revises summary records, while meeting required workload standards and deadlines. • Makes effective use of relevant language technologies and tools and assists the Chief in promoting their utilization. • Identifies new terminology material, submits it for approval and contributes to the setting of terminology standards. • Actively seeks to learn from feedback and develop own skills and knowledge relevant to the job, especially through self-study. • Advises and assists translators/précis-writers and briefs them on procedures and practices, terminology and a broad range of subjects, as required. • Coordinates the work of translators/précis-writers. • Assigns individual tasks and supports the Chief with programming long-term work, if required. • Performs quality control of externally produced translations and contributes to the establishment of quality control criteria and procedures. • Undertakes cross-assignments to perform other language functions, if required. • Collects and analyses data, as appropriate, as input for data-driven planning, decision making, presentations and reporting. • Acts as First Reporting Officer, if required. • Performs other related duties as required.

Competencies

Professionalism: Ability to demonstrate good writing skills; high standard of accuracy, consistency and faithfulness to the spirit, style and nuances of the original text with a good grasp of the subject matter. Knowledge of a broad range of subjects dealt with by United Nations, i.e., political, social, legal, economic, financial, administrative, scientific and technical. Ability to use all sources of references, consultation and information relevant to text at hand. Ability to work under pressure, maintain adequate speed and volume of output and deliver clear interpretation on a broad range of subjects. Ability to show a high level of versatility, judgement and discretion. 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. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. 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. Technological awareness: Keeps abreast of available technology; understands applicability and limitation of technology to the work of the office; actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks; shows willingness to learn new technology.

Education

A first-level degree from a university or an institution of equivalent status.

Job – Specific Qualification

Candidates for these positions are required to have passed the relevant United Nations Competitive Examination for Translators/Précis-Writers or the relevant combined United Nations Competitive Examination for Translators/Précis-writers, Editors, and Verbatim Reporters; this requirement will be waived for candidates who passed one of the relevant United Nations competitive examinations held before 2017 for Editors or Verbatim Reporters, subject to an assessment test to be conducted by the Hiring Manager as part of the Inspira selection process.

Work Experience

A minimum of five years of experience in translation or in another relevant language field, and in the use of relevant language technologies, is required. Experience in the use of standard computer-assisted-translation (CAT) tools is required. Out of the aforementioned experience, three years of experience at the United Nations or a similar international organization is required. Experience as a self-revised translator in an international organization is required.

Languages

A perfect command of Arabic (as assessed in the relevant Competitive Examination), which must be the candidate’s main language, is required. In addition, excellent knowledge of English (as assessed in the relevant Competitive Examination) is required; knowledge of one other official language is also required except for candidates who possess relevant substantive expertise required by the unit concerned.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include a computer-based written assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice

These are language positions. Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. Internal Applicants – when completing the PHP, ensure ALL fields, ALL professional experience and contact information are completed and up to date. This information is the basis for the hiring manager to assess your eligibility and suitability for the position and to contact you. Individual contractors and consultants who have worked within the UN Secretariat in the last six months, irrespective of the administering entity, are ineligible to apply for professional and higher temporary or fixed-term positions and their applications will not be considered.

United Nations Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.