Interpreter/Translator

FAO seeks gender, geographical and linguistic diversity in its staff and international consultants in order to best serve FAO Members in all regions.

• FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background, and culture
• Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented member nations, and person with disabilities are encouraged to apply
• Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct and to uphold our values. FAO has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and FAO, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination
• All selected candidates, therefore, will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
• All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality
• The incumbent may be re-assigned to different activities and/or duty stations depending on the evolving needs of the Organization

Organizational Setting

The Programme Management Unit (PMU) of the FAO-Saudi Technical Cooperation Programme (2019-2025) facilitates, coordinates and manages all technical and advisory services to be provided by FAO to the Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture (MoEWA). The project “UTF/SAU/051/SAU Strengthening MoEWA’s Capacity to Implement the Sustainable Rural Agricultural Development Programme” is the first project that has been approved within the framework of FAO-Saudi Technical Cooperation Programme (2019-2025). The project will provide technical and advisory assistance to the MoEWA in implementing its flagship sustainable rural agricultural development programme that has recently been approved within the context of the National Transformation Programme of the Saudi Vision 2030. The project expected results will be achieved through implementation of nine project components: 1) Development of coffee Arabica production, processing and marketing; 2) Development of beekeeping and honey production; 3) Development of rose production and trade; 4) Development of sub-tropical fruits production, processing and marketing; 5) Strengthening capacity of small-scale fishermen and fish farmers; 6) Strengthening capacity of small-scale livestock herders; 7) Development of rain-fed cereals production; 8) Enhancing value addition from smallholdings and rural activities; and 9) Strengthening MoEWA’s capacity in sustainable management of rangelands, forests and natural resources to support rural livelihoods.

An overall plan and budget is developed and approved, including activities and outputs that are expected to be accomplished under each component. Requirements for international and national technical expertise of each component have been identified. In order to ensure a coordinated, smooth, timely and successful implementation of the project, long-term competent international technical advisors will be appointed as Component Managers to each of the nine components. Each Component Manager will be supported by a team of international and national consultants and experts who are technical specialists in the subject matters of the various outputs and activities.

Reporting Lines

The Interpreter/Translator reports to the Programme Director in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia under the overall guidance of the Assistant Director-General/Regional Representative, RNE.

Technical Focus

Capacity development for timely interpretation, translation and revision of reports, publications and other documents from and to English and Arabic.

Tasks and responsibilities:

The Interpreter/Translator will contribute to the accomplishment of PMU work in facilitating, coordinating and managing all technical and advisory services to be provided by FAO to MoEWA under this programme. More specific, the Interpreter/Translator will carry out the following tasks:

• Provide simultaneous, consecutive and whispered interpretation from and to English and Arabic at meetings related to the Project;
• Conduct lexicological research, and contribute to the compilation of specialized glossaries;
• Translate meeting documents, technical papers and studies, periodical publications and official correspondence from English into Arabic.
• Translate into Arabic from English technical and background papers and studies, reports, publications, official correspondence and complex texts used for decision-making, in such a way that the translated text is, in meaning and style and effectiveness, equivalent to the original version.
• Perform lexicological research work relating to FAO terminology, and in particular assists in the compilation of specialized multilingual glossaries for use at FAO-KSA programme in consultation with the PMU experts and in collaboration with the Terminology and Reference Group.
• Ensure high quality and accuracy of the entire translated document before submitting / dissemination to the user.
• Consult with substantive units regarding possible inconsistencies or errors in the original text.
• Ensure that the translation is written with style, correct grammar and spelling, and completes the work within the agreed timeline and submits the final translation in soft copy.
• Collect and verify terminology and references and contributes to the linguistic research of the programme, to the building and enhancement of terminology databases and to the selection of useful reference documents.
• Upon request, interpret both simultaneously and consecutively into Arabic and, as required, from Arabic into English

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree in Linguistic Studies, Translation, Interpretation or any related field.
• At least five years of relevant work experience in translation/revision work.
• Proficiency in English and Arabic.

FAO Core Competencies

• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

• Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions is desirable.
• Demonstrated work experience related to implementation and management of technical assistance for capacity strengthening in the field of translation/revision.
• Demonstrated capacity to coordinate country level activities and to organize and lead consultative processes involving several partner institutions and stakeholders.
• Strong project management skills including familiarity with the development of results frameworks, logical framework, project work plans and budget.
• Demonstrated analytical skills and ability to write clear and concise reports in English and Arabic is considered a strong asset.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills and working in multicultural environment.

Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency.