Org. Setting and Reporting

The French teaching position is located in the Language Training Programme, Centre for Learning and Multilingualism (CLM), Human Resources Management Service in United Nations Office in Geneva (UNOG).

The Language Training Programme promotes linguistic balance and multilingualism within the Secretariat and improves the language abilities of staff, as mandated by the General Assembly in its resolutions 2480 B (XXIII), 43/224D and 50/11. In this regard, the Language Training Programme offers language courses in Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish to staff members of the United Nations Secretariat and related agencies, diplomats and staff from the country missions to the United Nations.

The incumbent reports to the Head of the Language Training Programme.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the French Language Teacher will be responsible for the following duties:

• Teaches French as a foreign language at all levels and for all skills;
• Prepares courses and corrects learners’ work;
• Develops and/or teaches general or specialized French language courses including advanced language such as writing skills, in the context of United Nations, to both native and non-native speakers;
• Develops and/or teaches in-person, blended, online French general and specialized language courses;
• Provides pedagogical support and individual feedback to learners ; and guides them in their learning experience;
• Corresponds with learners, maintaining attendance and grading records and other administrative tasks.

In collaboration with the other French language teachers:
• Sets programme objectives in line with the objectives of the Language Training Programme (LTP);
• Prepares the construction and the marking process of language examinations and tests;
• Administers and /or marks the language examinations and tests;
• Recruits part-time French language teachers as needed, and sets up teachers’ evaluation measures, processes and tools, organizes and administers the work of part-time French language teachers;
• Develops and updates course curricula, materials and assessments to target the client’s needs;
• Designs courses and workshops (including tailor-made courses) and ensures that appropriate methodologies are used;
• Updates and creates learning material;
• Prepares course schedules as needed;
• Works closely with the other language programmes on joint projects for development of the LTP;
• Carries out other staff development activities when requested.

Competencies

Professionalism:
– Identifies learners’ needs and matches them to appropriate learning solutions.
– Provides pedagogical support to learners and keep them informed of their progress.
– 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.
– Commits to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects 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 limitations of technology to the work of the office.
– Actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks.
– Shows willingness to learn new technology.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in language area studies, language teaching, applied linguistics, communication or education/pedagogy or related area is required. Degrees should come from a university or equivalent institution.

Degrees with special emphasis on the theory and practice of teaching French as a second or foreign language to adult learners are desirable.

Job – Specific Qualification

A minimum of 500 training contact hours (specific training courses, postgraduate courses, etc.), in addition to the hours accumulated to obtain the university degree, in the areas of teaching French as a second or foreign language, technology language area studies, curriculum development for adults, language examination design, communication or education/pedagogy is desirable.

Work Experience

A minimum of five (5) years of experience, either full-time or part-time, teaching French as a foreign or second language to adults in a multi-cultural setting (corporate, academic or other professional setting) is required.

At least three (3) years of recent experience in curriculum development, language examination design, and/or teacher training for adults learning French is required.

A minimum of 550 hours of teaching online group courses over the last five years is desirable.

At least two (2) years of experience using learning platforms (e.g. Moodle, Canvas or Blackboard) to carry out the following tasks: managing learning resources, creating and/or administering autonomous digital learning activities, communicating with learners and monitoring their progress and results is desirable.

Experience with Office tools is desirable.

Experience in creating learning materials, activities and resources for a range of online and in-person courses is desirable.

Experience at an international level is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in French, which must be the candidate’s main language, is required. Knowledge of English is required.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which will be followed by competency-based interview.

Applications will be screened on the basis of the criteria set forth above with regard to education, work experience and languages. All applications will be reviewed by an Assessment Panel. If a large number of applications are received, the Panel reserves the right to admit to the written test only the most qualified applicants on the basis of a review of the qualifications that are over and above the minimum criteria set out above and an assessment of the work experience as a French language teacher.

Applicants who are invited to sit for the written test will be informed in writing. The written test may cover any area related to second language acquisition, language teaching methodology and evaluation, and course design with regard to teaching French as a second language in a professional setting.

On the basis of the results of the written test, the Assessment Panel might invite selected candidates to conduct a teaching demonstration or send a class demonstration recording where their ability to teach a class is evaluated.

Depending on the assessment of the teaching demonstration, the Panel will invite selected candidates to the third part of the assessment, which consists of a competency-based interview and may be conducted via online video conference.

Admission to either the second part or the third part of the assessment does not automatically give right to an appointment with the United Nations.

Special Notice

Language teachers fall under the General Service and related categories.

This position is subject to local recruitment pursuant to staff rule 4.4 of the United Nations Staff Rules. Applicants for positions in the General Service and related categories must be authorized to work for the United Nations in the duty station where the position is located. Eligible applicants selected from outside the duty station are responsible for any expenses in connection with their relocation to the duty station. Staff members subject to local recruitment are not eligible for allowances or benefits exclusively applicable to international recruitment.

The yearly schedule of work for language teachers consists of three terms of 13 weeks each. There is a summer recess of approximately eight weeks and there are scheduled breaks between terms: approximately three weeks in December and two weeks in April.

Under each experience entry in the candidate profile, candidates are asked to specify the amount of hours taught weekly or monthly.

Recruitment for the position of Language Teacher includes a specialized assessment in three parts: a written test, a teaching assessment, and an interview. Please find specifications for the three parts of this specialized assessment under the “Assessment” section.

At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application.

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.

The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side 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.