Language Specialist 2 (800063)

Purpose

The Language Specialist 3 helps the ICRC communicate clearly and consistently by providing translation and revision services (and, where relevant, interpreting services) from one or more languages into their mother tongue and/or editing services in their mother tongue. The Language Specialist 3 is responsible for the quality of the work produced by freelance translators for that language. Furthermore, S/He acts as coordinator for that language ensuring optimal use of the resources of the freelance translator’s network. S/He ensures work done complies with deadlines and agreed rates.

Functional Responsabilities

• Translates from one or more languages into Spanish, (mother tongue) and edits in Spanish a wide range of texts related to the ICRC’s work, within agreed deadlines, ensuring high quality and appropriate terminology.
• Handles ad hoc projects (e.g. terminology, language guidelines) and manages the network of freelance translators for their language (testing, training).
• Revises the work of and trains freelance junior translators.
• Interprets – or hires and briefs teams of freelance interpreters – if required for ICRC events.
• Sets up quality-control processes for the outsourced work.
• Is the organization’s reference person for linguistic issues in Spanish.
• Updates terminology tools, translation guidelines and ensures they are applied, engaging, as appropriate, with counterparts from the other language units to harmonise practices.
• Contributes to the annual Planning for Results exercise (PfR) and/or other planning processes.

Coordination responsibilities

• Manages daily requests for language services through the Language Services Management database (LINGO) to assign jobs to freelance translators; to do this, analyses requests, plans and distributes work (translation, revision, editing, proof reading or interpretation, ) to the appropriate supplier.
• Negotiates deadlines with internal "clients" and/or with the coordinators in the Language Services Unit in Geneva (LINPUB) and monitors progress against planning.
• Ensures work done by freelance translators complies with deadlines and agreed rates
• Provides freelance translators with reference documents and background information, ensuring they have all necessary documentation for their work.
• When/if relevant, processes invoices and overall monthly accounting for external work, doublechecking against data in the LINGO database and interacting with accounting/HR staff at the ICRC.

Additional Responsibilities

• Knows the objectives of the ICRC in the region and has a good knowledge of the Movement and other contacts relevant to the position.
• Represents the ICRC appropriately during activities, in meetings and in the field; avoids any activity that could have negative effects on the image of the ICRC.

Scope and Impact

• Signs off on sensitive, high-level ICRC speeches, correspondence and other documents.
• Makes final call on terminology used by the ICRC in its public communication.
• Manages and follows up on budget, requisition orders, and any other administrative processes under his/her responsibility.

Relationships

Internally: Interacts across the organization with all internal “clients” who request language services, as well as with his/her counterparts in the Language Services Units (LINPUB in Geneva and the other regional Language Units) and when needed, local HR/Administration for invoicing/accounting purposes.

Externally, develops and manages a network of freelance editors and translators.

Certifications /Education

• University degree in translation from a recognized academic institution or equivalent.
• Mother tongue in the required language.
• Excellent writing skills in the mother tongue.
• Advanced knowledge of English
• Knowledge of French; other languages an asset.
• IT proficiency and knowledge of computer-assisted translation and terminology tools (particularly Trados Studio and MultiTerm)

Professional Experience

• 7–10 years’ or more experience in translation and editing, including 3–5 years in a similar position (preferably in an international organization)
• Experience in revision required.
• Knowledge of international law or related fields.

Experience as translation project manager an asset.

Language

• English
• Spanish