Current Openings at Department for General Assembly and Conference Management – DCS Nairobi

Responsibilities

• Participates in initial meetings with clients to discuss potential design projects, e.g. substantive content, communication objectives, media (including electronically published products) and design options, technical specifications, costs, schedules/deadlines, etc.
• Independently undertakes design assignments, including high priority requests, for a variety of UN-sponsored activities (e.g. major conferences, observances, events and campaigns, etc.); conceptualizes and develops design proposals for review by clients, which may include photographic, illustrative or more abstract graphic solutions.
• Prepares all approved designs in electronic format for final review and printing; reviews color and print proofs as required.
• Provides guidance and support throughout the project production process; coordinates and follows-up with clients and other relevant parties (e.g. copy and proofreaders, production staff, library and cartography staff, etc.) and ensures that project in on schedule.
• Conceptualizes and designs the layout for web pages for new or already existing websites using online web design tools to produce the websites requested by clients including publications, video content, animations and any other information related to their meeting, event or project.
• Assists with the collection and analysis of data as well as preparation of data presentations and reports for information sharing, responding to queries, knowledge management, planning and decision making.
• Assists with visualizations and updating information material such as web pages or brochures.
• Performs other related work as required.

Competencies

• PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of standard industry production and printing processes, including desktop publishing, design and layout. Knowledge of photography, page layout and photograph sizing. Good graphic art skills and demonstrated ability to independently develop creative designs and produce high-quality graphic material for varied print media projects (e.g. posters, brochures, press kits, book covers, book designs, etc.). Ability to handle multiple design projects simultaneously. The ability to design web pages for existing or new websites. The ability to perform analysis, modeling and interpretation of data in support of decision-making. 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.
• CREATIVITY: Actively seeks to improve programmes or services; offers new and different options to solve problems or meet client needs; promotes and persuades others to consider new ideas; takes calculated risks on new and unusual ideas; thinks “outside the box”; takes an interest in new ideas and new ways of doing things; is not bound by current thinking or traditional approaches.
• TECHNOLOGICAL AWARENESS: Keeps abreast of available technology; understands applicability and limitation of technology to the work of the office; actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks; shows willingness to learn new technology.

Education

• High School Diploma or equivalent is required. Supplemental training in graphic design industry or related graphics arts study is required.
• 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. Successful passing of the Administrative Support Assessment Test (ASAT) in English at the United Nations Headquarters (UNHQ), Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG), United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV), International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) or International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) may be accepted in lieu of the GGST. The GGST is administered to applicants when required before the administration of a written assessment and/or interview.

Work Experience

• Seven (7) years of experience in publications production, including desktop publishing, graphic design and layout, or related area is required.
• The minimum years of relevant experience is reduced by two years for candidates who possess a first level University degree.
• Two (2) years or more of experience in web design or related area is desirable.
• Experience in the use of online graphic design tools such as Canva and/or for quick website creation such as Wix or Squarespace is desirable.
• One (1) year or more of experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.

Languages

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is desirable.

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Responsibilities

• Trains other editors and revises their work, while meeting required workload standards and deadlines, and provides feedback that helps revisees become autonomous, self-revising editors.
• Edits, on a self-revising basis, documents, including texts of a specialized or technical nature and in particular those requiring experience and recognized proficiency, to ensure accuracy, clarity, cohesion and conformity with United Nations standards, policy and practice, including by correcting spelling, punctuation and grammar and ensuring that terminology is correct, and style is appropriate to the readership, while meeting required workload standards and deadlines.
• Carries out more extensive editing where required, including rewriting, abridging and restructuring texts for greater readability and better logical sequence, adapting proposals to the target audience and maintaining the technical or specialized language used, as appropriate.
• Translates texts covering a broad range of subjects dealt with by the United Nations, while meeting workload standards and deadlines.
• Drafts reports of meetings, either after attending meetings as part of a team and taking notes or using recordings, and/or compiles the report, while meeting workload standards and deadlines.
• Consults with author departments and carries out research to clarify ambiguities and rectify substantive errors, including verifying the accuracy of facts, figures, references and quotations.
• Provides authors with information on specific aspects of editorial policy and practice, in particular in relation to matters requiring experience and recognized proficiency, and assists them in the preparation of documentation.
• Contributes to the development of editorial policy and practice.
• Makes effective use of relevant language technologies and tools and assists the Chief in promoting their utilization.
• Identifies new terminology material, submits it for approval and contributes to the setting of terminology standards.
• Actively seeks to learn from feedback and develop own skills and knowledge relevant to the job, especially through self-study.
• Advises and assists editors and briefs them on procedures and practices, terminology and a broad range of subjects, as required.
• Coordinates the work of editors.
• Assigns individual tasks and supports the Chief with programming long-term work, if required.
• Performs quality control of documents produced externally and contributes to the establishment of quality control criteria and procedures.
• Acts as First Reporting Officer, if required.
• Undertakes cross-assignments to perform other language functions, if required.
• Serves as Officer-in-Charge in the absence of the Chief.
• Collects and analyzes data to identify trends or patterns and provide insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods to enable data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Competencies

• PROFESSIONALISM: Ability to demonstrate good writing skills; high standard of accuracy, consistency and faithfulness to the spirit, style and nuances of the original text with a good grasp of the subject matter; 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 use all sources of references, consultation and information relevant to text at hand; ability to work under pressure and maintain adequate speed and volume of output and deliver clear interpretation on a broad range of subjects; ability to show a high level of versatility, judgement and discretion; 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; ensures that requirements and background information used for data analysis are documented; takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.
• PLANNING & 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.
• CLIENT ORIENTATION: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

Education

• A first-level degree from a university or an institution of equivalent status is required.

Job - Specific Qualification

• Candidates for this position are required to have passed the relevant United Nations Competitive Examination for Editors or the relevant combined United Nations Competitive Examination for Translators/Précis-writers, Editors and Verbatim Reporters; this requirement will be waived for candidates who passed one of the relevant United Nations competitive examinations held before 2017 for Translators/Précis-Writers or Verbatim Reporters, subject to an assessment test to be conducted by the hiring manager as part of the Inspira selection process.

Work Experience

• A minimum of five (5) years of experience in editing or in another relevant language field, and in the use of relevant language technologies, is required, of which three years preferably should have been in the United Nations or a similar international organization.
• Proven experience in editing on a self-revision basis is desirable.

Languages

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, fluency in English, which must be the candidate's main language, and knowledge of at least two other United Nations official languages, as assessed in the relevant United Nations language Competitive Examination is required.

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Responsibilities

• Revises translations and original summary records dealing with subjects of an exceptionally sensitive, complex, or technical nature, while meeting or exceeding required workload standards.
• Translates texts of an exceptionally sensitive, complex, or technical nature, while meeting or exceeding required workload standards.
• Makes full use of standard computer-assisted-translation (CAT) tools and assists the Chief of Translation and Editorial Section (TES) in promoting their utilization and in implementing any related IT tools and improvements.
• Directs the conduct of terminological research within the translation unit.
• Counsels and assists revisers and translators/as required.
• Assists the Chief of TES in the preparation of terminology materials to meet the needs of the Section.
• Performs quality control of contractual translations and monitors quality of all documents processed by the Unit.
• Trains and supervises junior language staff.
• Programmes daily and long-term work of the Unit.
• Assists the Chief of TES in selecting texts for United Nations competitive examinations, in marking candidates' scripts and in evaluating results.
• Supervises staff within the Unit; this includes performance management.
• May serve as officer-in-charge in the absence of the Chief of TES.
• •Leads team members efforts to collect and analyze data and provides insight to identify trends or patterns for data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting. Ensures that everyone can discover, access, integrate and share the data they need.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Competencies

• PROFESSIONALISM: : Ability to maintain the highest standard of accuracy, consistency and faithfulness to the spirit, style and nuances of the original text when translating documents on a wide range of topics. Excellent writing skills when translating texts and/or drafting summary records and preparing training or other materials. Ability to exceed workload standards. Knowledge of a broad range of subjects dealt with by the United Nations, i.e. political, social, legal, economic, financial, administrative, scientific and technical subjects, and excellent analytical skills. Knowledge of terminological and reference research techniques, with ability to use all sources of information. Ability to show a high level of versatility, judgment and discretion. Ability to provide useful feedback that helps translators/précis-writers become self-revising and revisers to expand their knowledge and skillset. Familiarity with the issues relating to the management of translation services. 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. Ensures that requirements and background information used for data analysis are documented. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.
• LEADERSHIP: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow. Empowers others to translate vision into results. Is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives. Establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support. Anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions. Drives for change and improvement; does not accept the status quo. Shows the courage to take unpopular stands. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

Education

• A first-level degree from a university or institution of equivalent status is required. Candidates for this position must have passed the relevant combined United Nations Language Competitive Examination for Translators/Précis-writers, Editors, Verbatim Reporters and Copy Preparers/Proofreaders/Production Editors or the relevant United Nations language competitive examinations held before 2017.
• Successful completion of both degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics or data science programs is desirable.

Job - Specific Qualification

• United Nations Language Competitive Examination for Translators/Précis-writers, Editors, Verbatim Reporters and Copy Preparers/Proofreaders/Production Editors is required.

Work Experience

• A minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in translation, précis- writing, editing, self-revision, verbatim reporting, copy preparing, proofreading, production editing or related area is required.
• Experience in the use of standard computer-assisted-translation (CAT) tools is required.
• Eight years work experience in a multilingual setting is required.
• Managerial experience is desirable.
• At least four years of revision experience within an international organization or an organization of the United Nations system is required.

Languages

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in oral and written Arabic, which must be the candidate's main language, is required.
• Applicants must also have knowledge of English as tested by the relevant United Nations language competitive examination. Knowledge of one other official United Nations language as tested by the relevant United Nations language competitive examination is desirable.