Job Description

• Noumea-based position
• Attractive expatriate package
• Join the principal development organisation in the region

Description

The Pacific Community (SPC) is the principal scientific and technical organisation in the Pacific region, supporting development since 1947. We are an international development organisation owned and governed by our 27 country and territory members. In pursuit of sustainable development to benefit Pacific people, our unique organisation works across more than 25 sectors. We are known for our knowledge and innovation in such areas as fisheries science, public health surveillance, geoscience, and conservation of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture.

The Operations and Management Directorate (OMD) provides corporate services to all SPC Divisions and Programmes. It consists of three key departments: Finance, Human Resources and Information Services. OMD is focused on improving the effectiveness of systems, policies and management to provide high-quality customer-oriented services.

The role – the Conference Interpreter/Translator (English/French) will provide conference interpretation services in English and French, and translation services in English or French (depending on the job holder profile), to enable the SPC to operate as a bilingual organisation, in accordance with its mandate, to stimulate knowledge flows and for practical purposes. The job holder will have either English or French as an A language, i.e., first language.

The key responsibilities of the role include the following:

Conference and other interpretation services

• Provide simultaneous, consecutive or whispered interpretation services between English and French at SPC and partner/client conferences, meetings and other events in a wide range of technical, scientific, diplomatic, governance and other contexts at a wide range of Pacific venues, including at face-to-face, remote, and hybrid events.
• Abide by the principles of professional ethics and confidentiality.
• International travel to meeting venues, as required (potentially frequently).

Coordination of interpretation services, in support to the interpretation team leader

• Act with considerable autonomy in organising teamwork and coordinating interpretation services with clients/conference organiser before and during regional and other meetings, as agreed with the Interpretation Team Leader.
• Liaise with clients (internal/external), ICT and corporate services about interpretation requirements and logistics; gather any relevant documents for the team’s preparation; coordinate team composition and schedule, including freelance interpreters as necessary; discuss working hours with conference organisers.
• Draft and circulate a team leader report after meetings.

Translation services

• Exercise considerable autonomy in delivery of translation services: time management, meeting deadlines, terminological research
• Produce translations in a wide range of technical and scientific publications, as well as general SPC materials which may be highly sensitive and complex – using approved translation software.
• Work in close collaboration with colleagues to ensure consistency and quality.
• Maintain good general knowledge of SPC’s areas of expertise though research and reading of specialised material.
• Produce self-revised translations on a regular basis.
• Revise colleagues' translations when necessary.
• Abide by the principles of professional ethics and confidentiality.
• Prioritise interpretation assignments over translation jobs and communicate with the Translation Coordinator/s about priority interpretation work.
• Contribute to the professional development of retained interns, including revising and commenting on interns’ work.

Technologies and other tasks

• Keep abreast of relevant computer assisted translation (CAT) technologies and pursue relevant training to ensure CAT skills are updated.
• Maintain a pro-active interest in understanding relevant technologies that assist the delivery of remote, face-to-face and hybrid meetings (such as remote simultaneous interpretation (RSI) platforms, specialist hardware and other technologies).
• Provide advice and updates to Interpretation Team Leader in relation to industry issues and practices, and any other relevant issues pertaining to interpretation and translation.

For a more detailed account of the key responsibilities, please refer to the online job description .

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

• Postgraduate degree in conference interpretation and/or translation from a recognised school or equivalent experience

Technical expertise

• Nine years of experience in professional conference interpreting and translation in an international organisation or the public service, or as a freelance interpreter/translator working mainly with international organisations
• Management of interpretation teams during meetings
• Broad general knowledge and thorough understanding of a wide range of technical and scientific subjects
• Demonstrated ability to interpret and translate often highly technical material accurately; excellent vocabulary coupled with a keen sense of semantics; thorough understanding of syntax and style

Language skills

• Perfect written and spoken command of first language (English A or French A), high proficiency in spoken French/English, perfect understanding of written English and French

Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness

• Knowledge of Pacific Island countries and territories is an advantage.

Salary, terms and conditions

Contract Duration – This vacant position is budgeted for 3 years and is subject to renewal depending on funding and performance.

Remuneration – the Conference Interpreter/Translator (English/French) is a band 10 position in SPC’s 2024 salary scale, with a starting salary range of 3,568–4,364 SDR (special drawing rights) per month, which currently converts to approximately XPF 527,770–645,457 (USD 4,745–5,804; EUR 4,423–5,409). An offer of appointment for an initial contract will normally be made in the lower half of this range, with due consideration being given to experience and qualifications. Progression within the salary scale is based on annual performance reviews. SPC salaries are not presently subject to income tax in New Caledonia.

Benefits for international staff employees based in New Caledonia  – SPC provides subsidised housing in Noumea. Establishment and repatriation grant, removal expenses, airfares, home leave travel, health and life and disability insurances and education allowances are available for eligible employees and their eligible dependents. Employees are entitled to 25 working days of annual leave per annum and other types of leave, and access to SPC’s Provident Fund (contributing 8 % of salary, to which SPC adds a 10% contribution).

Languages – SPC’s working languages are English and French.

Recruitment principles – SPC’s recruitment is based on merit and fairness, and candidates are competing in a selection process that is fair, transparent and non-discriminatory. SPC is an equal-opportunity employer , and is committed to cultural and gender diversity, including bilinguism, and will seek to attract and appoint candidates who respect these values. Due attention is given to gender equity and the maintenance of strong representation from Pacific Island professionals.  If two interviewed candidates are ranked equal by the selection panel, preference will begiven to the Pacific Islander . Applicants will be assured of complete confidentiality in line with SPC’s private policy.

Application procedure

Closing date: 26 January 2025 – 11:00 pm (Noumea time)

Job Reference: CR000343

Applicants must apply online at

Hard copies of applications will not be accepted.

For your application to be considered, you must provide us with:

• an updated resume with contact details for three professional referees
• a cover letter detailing your skills, experience and interest in this position
• responses to all screening questions

Your application will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed at shortlisting stage if all the above documents are not provided. Applicants should not attach copies of qualifications or letters of reference. Please ensure your documents are in Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF format.

SPC does not charge a fee to consider your application and will never ask for your banking or financial information during the recruitment process.

Screening questions (maximum of 2,000 characters per question):

1. What is your experience of RSI (remote simultaneous interpreting) and interpreting in different settings, including development countries?
2. In your opinion what does a good translation look like? How would you go about ensuring quality in your translation work?
3. What is your definition of efficient teamwork and a high-quality client service?

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