Senior Interpreter (English), Geneva

• Organization: UNOG - United Nations Office at Geneva
• Country: Switzerland
• City: Geneva
• Office: UN Office in Geneva
• Grade: P-5
• Follow @UNjobs Follow @UNjobs_Geneva

UN Office in Geneva | Palais des Nations | Geneva

Closing date: Saturday, 19 November 2016

---

Posting Title: Senior Interpreter (English), P5
Job Code Title: SENIOR INTERPRETER, ENGLISH
Department/ Office: United Nations Office at Geneva
Duty Station: GENEVA
Posting Period: 21 September 2016-19 November 2016
Job Opening number: 16-LAN-UNOG-66432-R-GENEVA (L)
Staffing Exercise ID: N/A
United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity
Special Notice
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.
Organizational Setting and Reporting
This post is located in the English Interpretation Section, Interpretation Service, Division of Conference Management, United Nations Office at Geneva.
Responsibilities
Under the broad supervision of the Chief, English Interpretation Section, the incumbent:

• Provides interpretation into English of speeches or statements given in French and Spanish or Russian.
• Services up to seven meetings per week (exceptionally eight), usually of no more than three hours.
• Is routinely assigned to sensitive meetings.
• Routinely functions as team leader of all interpreters assigned to the same meeting.
• Assists in the screening, training and examining of prospective English interpreters.
• Is also expected to provide guidance and coaching to junior interpreters.
• May be called upon to serve as Chief Interpreter on missions.
• May also be called upon to function as Programming Officer and may be assigned as Officer in Charge of the Section.

Competencies

• PROFESSIONALISM: Ability to deliver high quality interpretation with split-second accuracy on an exceedingly wide range of subjects; Ability to maintain clear and well-articulated delivery whilst working under continuous stress; Ability to conscientiously prepare for assignments and act as Team Leader when assigned; Demonstrates willingness to participate in missions outside the duty station, possibly under difficult working conditions in the field; Ability to be flexible in responding to last-minute assignments and meetings outside normal working hours; Ability to demonstrate commitment to the Service through full participation in non-booth duties; Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of interpretation; 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.
• COMMITMENT TO CONTINUOUS LEARNING: Keeps abreast of new developments in own occupation/profession; actively seeks to develop oneself professionally and personally; contributes to the learning of colleagues and subordinates; shows willingness to learn from others; seeks feedback to learn and improve.
• 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 improvements; 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.
• 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 from an institution of equivalent status. A Master degree is desirable. Must have passed the United Nations Competitive Examination for English Interpreters
Work Experience
At least ten years of professional interpreting experience in international organizations, five of which would normally have been within the United Nations System
Languages
A perfect command of English and an excellent knowledge of French and Spanish or Russian. Proven ability to interpret from or into other languages will be an asset.
Assessment
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise. Successful candidates may be convoked to a competency-based interview.
United Nations Considerations
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.
No Fee
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.