Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the English Translation Section, Languages Service, Division of Conference Management, Department for General Assembly and Conference Management, Geneva. This position is under the general supervision of the Chief of the English Translation Section.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the terminologist will be responsible for the following duties:
• Monitors documentation and other materials and identifies changes, developments, linguistic inconsistencies and variations in different areas of terminology used in the United Nations
• Develops new terminology for use where none exists in the target language.
• Carries out linguistic research and prepares thematic terminological bulletins and glossaries, technical vocabularies and related language tools.
• Contributes terms and titles, along with definitions and notes, in English and/or in the assigned language to the terminology database and is responsible for the relevance and accuracy of this data.
• Proposes solutions to terminology issues raised by staff members and conducts documentary research and consultations to this end.
• Answers terminology queries from other departments of the Secretariat, specialized agencies, governmental and non-governmental agencies and other outside bodies.
• Keeps abreast of developments in machine-assisted translation and terminology
• Scans current documents and specialized journals in order to keep abreast of terminology developments in the assigned language in the fields of activity of United Nations bodies.
• Maintains close contact with language specialists both within and outside the Organization, in order to promote the use of correct and uniform terminology in the United Nations documents.
• Identifies and recommends books and CD-ROMs for acquisition by the language library.
• Represents the section in meetings relating to areas of substantive interest, bringing to the attention of the Chief of Section areas that in view of the needs of the organization require terminological research and investigation.
• Supervises the work done by the terminology assistants and validates the records they created in the assigned language.
• Contributes to the definition of individual goals and the yearly performance evaluation of the Terminology Assistant (e-Performance), under the guidance of the Chief of Section.
• Collects and analyses data to identify trends or patterns and provide insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods to enable data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting.

Competencies

PROFESSIONALISM:
In-depth knowledge of terminology used in the United Nations and related methodologies; solid analytical skills and ability to spot errors and inconsistencies in a text; good grasp of terminological and reference research techniques; ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management; ability to use all documentary and information sources and perform complex research tasks; high level of versatility, judgement and discretion; conscientiousness and efficiency in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; 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

Advanced degree from a university or an institution of equivalent status is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Candidates for this position must have a combination of a postgraduate degree in terminology or a related field and relevant experience, preferably in an international organization. Successful completion of both degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics or data science programs is desirable.

Job – Specific Qualification

Passing the Competitive Examination for Language Positions: English translator/precis-writers, editors, verbatim reporters and English linguists or a previous UN Language Competitive Examination for English translators/precis-writers/editors and/or verbatim reporters is required.

Work Experience

A minimum of four (4) years of experience as a translator, terminologist, editor or verbatim reporter is required.

Experience in the United Nations Common System or similar international organizations is desirable.

Two (2) years or more of experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.

Experience in working with terminology databases is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, a perfect command of English, which must be the candidate’s main language, and excellent knowledge of at least two other official languages are required.

Assessment

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

Applicants who have passed the UN Competitive examination for English Terminologists (CELP or LCE) are not subject to any further assessment and as such, will not be invited for such an assessment

Special Notice

• This position is temporarily available from 7 August 2023 to 31 December 2023, with a possibility of extension. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment.

• This temporary job opening is only open to applicants who have passed the United Nations Competitive Examination for language positions; Spanish Translators/précis-writers, Editors, Verbatim reporters and English linguists (CELP or LCE) or who are already placed on the “Global Language Roster” (GLR).

• While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post.

• Subject to the funding source of the position, the eligibility for this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station.

• This temporary job opening may be limited to “internal candidates,” who have been recruited through a competitive examination administered according to staff rule 4.16 or staff selection process including the review of a central review body established according to staff rule 4.15.

• Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply.Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation.

• Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as “retirement.” Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless (a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service.

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.