IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING APPLICATION DEADLINE:ย please note that the deadline for applications is indicated in local time as per the time zone of the applicantโs location.
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This post is a limited-term fixed-term post.
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1. ย ย ย ย ย ย ย Organizational Context
a.ย Organizational Setting
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The post is located in the French Translation Section of the Language Division, Administration, Finance and Management Sector.ย The Language Division is responsible for delivering comprehensive and high-quality language services in relation to: ย the translation of treaties and other international instruments administered by WIPO, national legislative texts, documents for the Assemblies of Member States, publications, reports of meetings and conferences and working documents for committees of experts and other bodies, and the WIPO website; ย and the provision of interpretation services for the meetings of the WIPO Assemblies, committees and meetings organized by the various sectors.
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b.ย Purpose Statement
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The Head of the French Translation Section is responsible for the day-to-day management of the work of the Section and its staff and shapes and implements the objectives for the Section, ensuring high quality and timely delivery of texts translated into French. ย
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c.ย Reporting Lines
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The incumbent works under the supervision of the Director of the Language Division.
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2. ย ย ย ย ย ย ย Duties and Responsibilities
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The incumbent performs the following principal duties:
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a.ย ย Lead, plan and control translation, revision, editing, terminological, reference and word processing work, determining priorities and allocating staff resources for the timely, quality and cost-effective delivery of outputs in accordance with results-based management principles.
b.ย ย Manage and evaluate the work performed by staff of the Section (including temporary staff) and by contractual translators.ย Guide and counsel staff and develop training plans to promote the best utilization of their skills and experience.
c.ย ย Revise and approve complex and urgent texts; ย translate particularly complex, difficult or sensitive texts from English and at least one other official UN language.
d.ย ย Make informed linguistic determinations concerning the French language and take authoritative decisions regarding terminology, style and usage.
e.ย ย Organize and supervise French terminology work, including glossaries, technical vocabularies and related data collections; ย direct terminological research within the Section, and in collaboration with other language Section Heads, participate in the enhanced design and development of terminology databases and computer-assisted-translation and terminology (CATT) tools.
f.ย ย ย Promote and supervise the use of artificial intelligence (AI) based modern translation technologies, including machine translation, as a means to combine human and machine intelligence to ensure a timely delivery of high quality translation in a cost-efficient manner and ensure that the most effective use is made by the Section of all the translation technologies available.
g.ย ย Design and prepare the documentation required for and lead the process of public tenders for translation in the Section; ย promote, administer and execute the tender process, review the bids, select and administer the tests and select the successful bidders in accordance with established procurement rules and under the guidance of the Procurement and Travel Division.
h.ย ย Establish and maintain contacts with translation institutions and individual translators with a view to expanding the network of translators; ย organize the testing of prospective translators and make decisions on their selection.
i.ย ย ย Represent the Section in working groups and internal and external meetings; ย liaise with other language sections and relevant work units to achieve improved efficiencies, knowledge management and information sharing.
j.ย ย ย Perform other related duties as required.ย In particular, the incumbent should be prepared to support teams in the Patents & Technology and Brands & Designs Sectors as required, and should be prepared to spend time with the different language teams as part of the induction process and potentially on a periodic basis thereafter, to ensure strong understanding of activities across WIPO.
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3. ย ย ย ย ย ย ย Requirements
Education (Essential)
Advanced university degree in modern languages, linguistics, translation or related discipline.ย A first-level university degree plus two years of relevant experience in addition to the experience mentioned below may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Experience (Essential)
At least 10 years of relevant professional experience in translation, editing, revision and using CATT tools, mainly acquired in international organizations.ย
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Experience in supervising staff.
Experience (Desirable)
Experience with and understanding of Results-Based Management.
Languages (Essential)
Mother tongue level of French and excellent knowledge of English and Spanish.
Languages (Desirable)
Knowledge of other official UN languages.
Job-Related Competencies (Essential)
Excellent managerial skills and proven ability to provide leadership and to motivate and train staff.
Advanced translation and revision skills.
Thorough knowledge of concepts and terminology in various areas of specialization, as well as modern translation technologies, including machine translation and the related revision/post-editing work.
Strong aptitude regarding translation technology and software tools that aid the translation process and ability to rapidly assimilate information regarding new technology.
Excellent analytical and decision-making skills.
Excellent communication, presentation and interpersonal skills and ability to maintain effective partnerships and working relations in a multi-cultural environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
Competent user of Microsoft Office applications (e.g. Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) and the Internet.
Job-Related Competencies (Desirable)
Knowledge of the subject matter dealt with by WIPO.
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4. ย ย ย ย ย ย ย Organizational Competencies
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1.ย Communicating effectively.
2.ย Showing team spirit.
3.ย Demonstrating integrity.
4.ย Valuing diversity.
5.ย Producing results.
6.ย Showing service orientation.