Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures.
The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.
The availability of this position is subject to the retirement of the current incumbent. Candidates selected or issued an offer for this position are not entitled to assignment or appointment to the position before the separation of the incumbent. The United Nations may withdraw the selection or offer if the incumbent does not separate on the expected retirement date.
This post is located in the Russian Translation Section, Languages Service, Division of Conference Management, United Nations Office at Geneva.
Within delegated authority, the Senior Reviser will be responsible for the following duties:
• Revises translations dealing with subjects of an exceptionally sensitive, complex or technical nature.
• Translates texts of an exceptionally sensitive, complex or technical nature.
• Directs the conduct of terminological research within the translation unit concerned.
• Assists the Chief of Service/Section in the preparation of terminology materials to meet the needs of the Service concerned.
• Assists the Chief of Service/Section in the preparation of instructions.
• Assists the Chief of Service/Section in monitoring the quality of in-house and contractual translations.
• Trains staff.
• Assists the Chief of Service/Section in selecting texts for United Nations competitive examinations, in marking candidates’ scripts and in evaluating results.
• Serves as officer-in-charge in the absence of the Chief of Service/Section.
• Serves as First Reporting Officer.
• Performs other related duties as required.
PROFESSIONALISM
- Ability to demonstrate excellent writing and analytical skills.
- Ability to maintain the highest standard of accuracy, consistency and faithfulness to the spirit, style and nuances of the original text.
- Knowledge of terminological and reference research techniques with ability to use all sources of information.
- Knowledge of a broad range of subjects dealt with by the United Nations, i.e. political, social, legal, economic, financial, administrative, scientific and technical.
- Ability to demonstrate the highest level of versatility, judgement and discretion, tact and negotiating skills.
- Familiarity with the range of issues relating to management of the Translation Services.
- Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of translation and revision.
- 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.
- 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.
PLANNING AND ORGANIZING
- Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies.
- Identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required.
- Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work.
- Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning.
- Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary.
- Uses time efficiently.
MANAGING PERFORMANCE
- Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority.
- Makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member.
- Accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills.
- Monitors progress against milestones and deadlines.
- Regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff.
- Encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative.
- Actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff.
- Appraises performance fairly.
JUDGEMENT/DECISION-MAKING
- Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly.
- Gathers relevant information before making a decision.
- Considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them.
- Takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization.
- Proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information.
- Checks assumptions against facts.
- Determines that the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision.
- Makes tough decisions when necessary.
A first-level degree from a university or institution of equivalent status. Candidates must have passed the United Nations Competitive Examination for Russian Translators.
A minimum of ten years of experience in translation and revision, with at least four years of revision, and in the use of relevant computer software, electronic tools and databases, is required. Out of these, eight years should have preferably been in the United Nations common system.
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in Russian, which must be the candidate's main language, is required. Knowledge of at least two other United Nations official languages, of which French would be a strong asset, as tested by the relevant United Nations competitive examination, is also required.
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include a written assessment which will be followed by a competency-based interview.
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, including but not limited to, respect for international human rights and humanitarian law. Candidates may be subject to screening against these standards, including but not limited to, whether they have committed or are alleged to have committed criminal offences or violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law.
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.
Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the At-a-Glance on "The Application Process" and the Instructional Manual for the Applicants, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.
The screening and 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, including but not limited to, their education, work experience, and language skills, according to the instructions provided on inspira. Applicants will be disqualified from consideration if they do not demonstrate in their application that they meet the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations. Applicants are solely responsible for providing complete and accurate information at the time of application: 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 a reference-checking process to verify the information provided in the application.
Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at midnight (New York time) on the deadline date.
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.