The duration of this TJO is for an initial period of nine (9) months with possibility of extension, subject to the availability of the position.
This position is subject to local recruitment pursuant to staff rule 4.4 of the United Nations Staff Rules. All staff in the General Service and related categories shall be recruited in the country or within commuting distance of each office, irrespective of their nationality and of the length of time they may have been in the country. A staff member subject to local recruitment shall not be eligible for the allowances or benefits exclusively applicable to international recruitment.
Passing the Global General Service Test (GGST) is a prerequisite for recruitment consideration in the General Services and related categories in the United Nations Secretariat. Applicants who have not passed the GGST at the time of application may be invited for the test after submitting an application. Having passed the Administrative Support Assessment Test (ASAT) in English at the United Nations Headquarters, Economic Commission for Africa, Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia, United Nations Office at Geneva, United Nations Office at Vienna, International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda or International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia may be accepted in lieu of the GGST.
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.
This temporary job opening (TJO) is located in the Front Office of the French Translation Service (FTS), Documentation Division in the Department for General Assembly and Conference Management (DGACM) at the United Nations (UN) Headquarters in New York. FTS is responsible for translating official UN documents and publications into French. The duration of this TJO is for an initial period of nine (9) months with possibility of extension, subject to the availability of the position. The incumbent reports to the Chief of Service.
Within delegated authority, the Language Service Assistant is responsible for the following duties:
• Language Service Assistant performs independently and effectively the full range of office management and administrative support functions; provides reference assistance and basic computer technical support functions to the Service.
• Assists the Chief of the French Translation Service. Performs other general administrative and clerical functions of the Service, such as the operation of gDoc and job management systems; assists in ensuring the smooth electronic transmission and processing of documentation; assigns work to translators, especially in echelon duty, prepares daily and weekly lists/schedules; makes requisitions using UMOJA; maintains attendance records in UMOJA, etc.
• Assists the Chief, as well as revisers, translators and terminologist in carrying out terminology research in the daily official UN documents, newspapers and magazines in the languages used by the Service.
• Inputs data as instructed by the Chief, Training/Programming Officer and Terminologist.
• Organizes and maintains the terminology files of the Service in electronic and/or hard copy form and keeps them up-to-date; provides reference assistance to translators/revisers including contacting outside sources such as other UN Departments and Permanent Missions for assistance when in-house reference sources are exhausted.
• Ensures the provision of computer equipment and e-mail services to all staff in the Service including temporary staff; handles all arrangements connected with this task such as requisitions and LAN administration.
• Provides basic computer technical support to all staff in the Service. Upgrades software; provides assistance in finding reference and database; helps with the operation of software; performs basic trouble-shooting functions of computer problems in a timely manner; keeps contacts with OICT and ICTS; reports problems to its Help Desk as necessary.
• Provides technical assistance in the compilation of monthly and yearly productivity statistics for the Service/Section/Unit as a whole and for individual staff; assists in providing other statistical information to the Director or Head of the Department as instructed by the Chief.
• Carries out such other tasks as may be requested by the Chief; covers other General Service staff functions when the latter are absent on annual or sick leave.
PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of general office and administrative support, including administrative policies and procedures, records management and filing. Ability to research, select, organize and summarize data and information required for the preparation of reports and statistics. Knowledge of computer-assisted translation, machine translation, alignment, terminology and/or referencing tools. Knowledge of global documents management systems such as gDoc, ODS, Unite Connections and gText tools. Proficiency in software and internet applications such as Lotus Notes, Microsoft Word and Excel. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; 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. Commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects 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 limitations of technology to the work of the office; actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks; shows willingness to learn new technology.
High school diploma or equivalent.
A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in conference services, documentation processing and management, general office support or in a related area is required. Experience in conference management or documentation services in an international organization is desirable. Experience with computer-assisted translation, machine translation, alignment, terminology and/or referencing tools is desirable. Experience in using a global documents management system, such as Umoja or gDoc, is desirable. Experience working in a Front Desk environment is desirable.
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in French and English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is desirable.
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.
Job openings posted on the Careers Portal are taken off at midnight (New York time) on the deadline date.
Applications are automatically pre-screened according to the published evaluation criteria of the job opening on the basis of the information provided by applicants. Applications cannot be amended following submission and incomplete applications shall not be considered. The selected candidate will be subject to a reference checking process to verify the information provided in the application.
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” on the upper right side of the browser on Inspira.
The United Nations shall place 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. (Charter of the United Nations - Chapter 3, article 8). The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.
Candidates will be required to meet the requirements of Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter as well as the requirements of the position. The United Nations is committed to the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity for all its human resources, 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 and/or violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law.
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.