Language Technician I

Grade:

Contractual Agreement:

Job Posting:

Closing Date:

Primary Location:

Organization:

Schedule:

OBJECTIVE OF THE OFFICE/DEPARTMENT

The Languages Team (LNG) promotes multilingualism across the Organization and supports PAHO as a source of authoritative quality documents in the four official languages of PAHO. LNG provides multilingual expertise in support of technical cooperation for the dissemination of health-related information in the Region of the Americas and advises on multilingual projects; provides translation services including linguistic clearance of final versions as well as editing support; responds to language-related queries; contributes to style guidelines and establishes official terminology; and develops and is the primary driver for innovation and maintenance of computer systems for editing translation workflows and terminology.

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

Functions involve delivering specialized support for activities/processes requiring evaluation comparison and choice of action from many different alternatives required for the preparation and review of translations. Assignments require knowledge of proofreading principles and established practices and standards initiative and the ability to apply them to the assigned tasks. Frequent contact is required with staff at all levels inside the Organization to provide or collect a variety of information ensure common understanding clarify and/or resolve operational arrangements on issues or services of importance to the Organization. Work requires interpretation of a range of guidelines practices and procedures relating to the preparation and production of translations. Incumbent serves as Human Resources Partner for the entity. Organizational context empowers the incumbent with opportunities to make proposals affecting both the design and delivery of specialized processes. Oversight concentrates on delivering results and integrating specialized processes. Routine tasks are performed independently; new or unusual assignments are reviewed progressively. The work relationships consist of daily contacts with team members staff in the Organization and persons outside the Organization mainly with staff of PWR Offices WHO HQ and free-lance translators.

SUMMARY OF RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the direct supervision of the Advisor Language Services (LNG) the incumbent is responsible for but not necessarily limited to the following assigned duties:

a) Manage complex business processes with emphasis on Spanish translations which support the production of multilingual texts and coordinate the resources required:

i Analyze incoming translation requests prior to acceptance which includes providing estimates confirming availability of funds and receipt of external permissions including WHOs; when applicable verifying suitability of reference documents and negotiating deadlines;

ii Evaluate incoming texts for translation to determine possible duplication or contradiction between texts submitted and to ensure that they conform to established criteria; identify and obtain background material sources of quotations etc.;

iii Perform detailed analyses of already translated text and internal repetitions using a computer-assisted translation (CAT) tool;

iv Assign jobs to freelance or in-house translators as instructed by other LNG staff and monitor availability;

v Coordinate and support translation activities by post-referencing translations in progress including locating additional source materials; contact technical staff to clarify terminology as requested by the translators; communicate with translators regarding all aspects of job assignments; and liaise with the requesting entity;

vi Coordinate complex translation projects that involve multiple translators sources of funding languages etc.

vii Maintain the repository of Spanish translations by collecting organizing storing and keeping monthly track of all documents (sources and finals) translated and revised by the Language Team;

b) Process translations into Spanish including:

i Review and format documents to be translated so that they conform to standards for machine translation (MT) and computer-assisted translation (CAT) input; convert when applicable PDF documents for translation processing; process jobs using MT and CAT tools performing the necessary analyses and examining the machine output for completeness and format;

ii Review post-edited documents against the original text for format and completeness. Perform automatic spelling checks and word counts of completed translations in Spanish;

iii Process documents through MT and CAT tools into English French and Portuguese when the other Language Technicians are unavailable;

iv With regard to the bilingual corpora align source and target documents from the translation corpus; check the alignment and make adjustments as necessary.

• Perform quality control of translations into Spanish by proofreading translations and checking translated texts for completeness and for application of standards of punctuation document type and format; review Spanish translations of official correspondence prepared by other PAHO entities;

• Manage invoicing process for payment of contract translators by generating purchase orders in PMIS following up with units for approvals; issuing invoices for translators signature; and coordinating payments with the Finance deptarment;

• Serve as the Human Resources Partner for the Language Team;

f) Supervise and guide the work of service contractors hired by the Language Team to support the work of the Language Technicians; assign tasks provide training and evaluate performance for these temporary assistants;

• Support terminology efforts in the Language Team by providing support with Spanish equivalents for the teams multilingual glossaries;

• Assist in the maintenance of production statistics;

i) Perform other related duties as assigned.

KEY BEHAVIORAL COMPETENCIES

Overall attitude at work: Maintains integrity and takes a clear ethical approach and stance; demonstrates commitment to the Organizations mandate and promotes the values of the Organization in daily work and behavior; is accountable for work carried out in line with own role and responsibilities; is respectful towards and trusted by colleagues and counterparts.

Teamwork: Collaborate and cooperate with other/Deal effectively with conflict - Creates team spirit; promotes collaboration and open communication in the team; proactively supports others; welcomes team responsibilities and drives team results; promotes knowledge sharing in the team. Proactively identifies conflicts and facilitates their resolution in a respectful manner; tactfully resolves conflicts between or with others and takes action to reduce any possible tension; effectively builds a rapport with individuals and teams establishing good personal and professional relationships as well as minimizing risk of potential conflict.

Respecting and valuing individual differences: Treats everyone with dignity and respect fostering positive relationships with everyone. Reflects on personal behavior to avoid stereotypes and considers situations from the perspective of others.

Communication: Express oneself clearly when speaking/Listen/Write effectively/Share knowledge - Foresees communication needs of audience and targets message accordingly. Facilitates open communication; encourages others to share their views openly and takes time to understand and consider their views. Writes down ideas in a clear structured logical and credible way; drafts and supports the development of guidelines policies and procedures. Shares relevant information openly and ensures that the shared information is understood; considers knowledge sharing as a constructive working method and demonstrates awareness of the Organization.

Knowing and Managing Yourself: Remain productive/Continuously learn - Remains objective and focused even in a changing and moving environment; continues to display positive behavior when facing some constraints; keeps challenges in perspective. Seeks all relevant information for decision making from a wide range of sources; quickly learns new competencies and skills that expand role capability; shows rapid understanding of new and/or complex information relevant to job.

Producing results: Work efficiently and independently/ Deliver quality results/Take responsibility - Prioritizes work monitors own progress against objectives and adapts plans as required; communicates adjustments as necessary.

Acts proactively and stimulates action as needed; handles problems effectively and constructively. Produces high-quality results and workable solutions that meet clients needs. Works independently to produce new results and sets own time lines effectively and efficiently. Demonstrates positive attitude in working on new projects and initiatives. Demonstrates accountability for own success as well as for errors; learns from experience.

TECHNICAL EXPERTISE

Ability to apply proofreading techniques and practices for the delivery of Spanish translations.

Ability to coordinate monitor and control administrative processes related to complex translation projects including developing/adjusting operational procedures evaluating priorities coordinating and supporting internal day-to-day activities reallocating work assignments etc.

Skills in planning organizing evaluating prioritizing problem-solving decision-making and monitoring own work.

Ability to work under pressure and to meet tight deadlines while maintaining high levels of output and required standards of quality.

Ability to manage human resources processes in PMIS;

Ability to research analyze and organize technical information.

Ability to work harmoniously as a team member in a multidisciplinary and international environment.

Effective oral and written communication skills in a business environment; skills to independently compose in a clear concise and grammatically correct manner reports correspondence guidance materials and other documents.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external partners using principles of good customer service.

EDUCATION

Essential: Certificate of completion of high school.

Desirable: Advanced training in languages translation and linguistics or in a related subject would be an asset.

EXPERIENCE

Essential: Six years of administrative work experience.

Desirable: Knowledge of technical terminology basic experience in concepts of linguistics proofreading and translations project management would be an asset.

DISCLAIMER

• This vacancy notice may be used to fill other similar positions at the same grade and level.

• All applicants are required to complete an on-line profile to be considered for this post.

• Candidates will be contacted only if they are under serious consideration.

• In the event that your candidature is retained for an interview you will be required to provide in advance a scanned copy of the official degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. PAHO considers official higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in one of the following databases:

- World Higher Education Database (WHED) list updated by the International Association of Universities

(IAU)/United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

The list can be assessed through the link: Council for Higher Education Accreditation

- College Navigator found on the website of the National Centre for Educational Statistics

to support the validation process.

• Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to PAHO Staff Regulations Staff Rules and e-Manual.

PAHO/WHO is committed to:

• PAHO supports an environment of mutual respect and dignity for all applicants. All interested individuals who meet the requirements of this position are encouraged to apply.

• Persons with disabilities can request reasonable accommodations to enable participation in the recruitment process. To do so email us at:

• Maintaining high standards of integrity and accountability. People joining PAHO are required to maintain these standards both in their professional work and personal activities.

• Promoting a work environment that is free from harassment sexual harassment discrimination and other types of abusive behavior. PAHO conducts background checks and will not hire anyone who has a substantiated history of misconduct.

• Providing a smoke-free environment.

• Protecting the people in the communities we we have zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse. People who commit serious wrongdoing will be terminated and may also face criminal prosecution.