INTERPRETER / TRANSLATOR (FRENCH)

SECRETARIAT OF THE PACIFIC COMMUNITY POSITION DESCRIPTION INTERPRETER / TRANSLATOR (FRENCH) BACKGROUND The Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) is an international organisation that provides technical and policy advice and assistance, training and research services to its Pacific Island members. SPC works in a wide range of sectors with the aim of achieving three development outcomes – sustainable economic development, sustainable natural resource management and development, and sustainable human and social development. SPC’s headquarters are in Noumea, New Caledonia. It has regional offices in Suva, Fiji, and Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia, and country offices in Honiara, Solomon Islands and Port Vila, Vanuatu. Additional information on SPC, particularly regarding its work in specific sectors, can be found on its website: www.spc.int. The Translation and Interpretation Section provides linguistic services to assist SPC in fulfilling its mandate as a bilingual organisation. The Section’s main duties are to provide interpretation and translation services for regional conferences, meetings, seminars and workshops and to translate SPC’s publications and other documents. The Section also manages a terminology database and provides assistance and advice on the linguistic aspects of SPC’s activities. The Section collaborates with outside organisations such as the United Nations and the European Union on terminology and is a member of JIAMCATT (International Annual Meeting on Computer-Assisted Translation and Terminology). The Interpreter/Translator will be responsible to the Manager, Translation and Interpretation Section. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES · Interpretation services Based on the team leader’s general instructions, the Interpreter/Translator provides interpretation services at regional technical conferences in SPC’s work areas and at meetings of SPC’s governing body (Conference of the Pacific Community and Committee of Representatives of Governments and Administrations). The Interpreter/Translator: · provides simultaneous interpretation from French to English and vice versa; and · may be required to provide whispered or consecutive interpreting services outside plenary sessions. At conferences held outside SPC’s headquarters, the Interpreter/Translator may be called on to translate documents into French. Interpreters/Translators act as team leaders on a rotational basis. On occasion, they may be required to interpret on site for visiting dignitaries or experts. · Translation services The workload consists of extension publications; information bulletins for special interest groups; technical reports and papers; correspondence; announcements and circulars for official SPC contacts, representatives of governments and administrations and counterparts in other regional or international organisations; information brochures or posters for the general public; and texts for audio-visual productions. Subject areas include fisheries and aquaculture activities, such as pearl oyster and fish farming; agriculture; forestry; animal health and stock production; pest control; health; demography; statistics; culture; rural development; renewable energy; gender issues; youth development; and information and communications technology. · The translation output of the Interpreter/Translator (1,500 words a day) is expected to be of the same high standard as that of a regular translator. · The Interpreter/Translator contributes to building up the Section’s terminology resources and acquiring reference documents. · The Interpreter/Translator responds to requests for terminology information from within SPC and from other organisations or the general public. QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE Essential Ø Excellent command of French (mother tongue) and thorough knowledge of English. Ø University degree in interpreting, qualifications from a recognised school of interpreting, or a university degree in a related field combined with extensive professional interpreting experience. Ø Proven professional interpreting experience in an international organisation or the public service, or as a freelance interpreter working mainly with international organisations. Given the composition of SPC’s membership, most interpretation is into French. Applicants should therefore have French as Language A and English as Language A or a very strong B. Ø Proven translation experience in an international organisation or the public service, or as a freelance translator working mainly with international organisations. Ø Ability to use a word processor (Microsoft Office) and terminological databases. Important Ø Demonstrated ability to accurately interpret and translate highly technical material, excellent vocabulary coupled with a keen sense of semantics, and thorough understanding of syntax and style. Ø Initiative, good judgement and strong team spirit, along with the qualities required to fit harmoniously into a group comprising colleagues from a wide range of cultural backgrounds. Ø Familiarity with and personal commitment to the objectives of international organisations. Ø Willingness and ability to travel. Duty travel is frequently required and can be difficult given the distances involved and nature of transport services in the region. SALARY, TERMS AND CONDITIONS SALARY AND ALLOWANCES The position is in Band 12 of SPC’s salary scale. Professional salaries at SPC are set in SDR (Special Drawing Rights) and paid in the local currency (i.e. the Fiji dollar, FJD, in Fiji). As per SPC’s 2011 salary scale, the salary range for this band is SDR 2,939–4,409 per month. At prevailing exchange rates these amounts convert to approximately FJD 8,631–12,949 per month (USD 5,000–7,500; EUR 3,500–5,300). An offer of appointment for an initial contract will made in the lower half of this range, with due consideration being given to experience and qualifications. The organisation subsidises housing. A housing allowance of 75 per cent of the total rental, up to a limit of FJD 2,625 per month, will be provided. The minimum housing allowance payable is FJD 1,170 per month. In addition, an establishment grant will be payable to non-residents of Fiji. Where appropriate, other allowances, such as an education allowance, may be payable. While SPC emoluments are not subject to income tax in Fiji at the present time, this status is currently under review by the Government of Fiji. Any change in this status will apply to Fiji nationals. PROVIDENT FUND The appointee will be eligible for membership in SPC’s Staff Provident Fund. Staff members contribute eight per cent of their base salary, to which SPC adds a matching contribution. TENURE The appointment is for a period of three years, with the possibility of renewal for a further period depending on performance and continued funding availability. DUTY STATION Suva, Fiji. LEAVE Annual leave will accrue at the rate of 25 working days per annum. For expatriate staff members, home leave fares are payable after 18 months of service. Sick leave is 30 working days per annum. MEDICAL BENEFITS SPC’s Staff Medical Insurance reimburses doctor fees, cost of prescribed medicines, surgical and hospital costs, etc. up to certain percentages and limits. Supplementary medical insurance is available to increase these percentage reimbursements and limits. FARES AND REMOVAL EXPENSES For an appointee recruited outside of Fiji, the cost of air fares by the most direct and/or economic route for the appointee and recognised dependants, and reasonable removal expenses by sea of personal and household effects, will be met by SPC on appointment and termination. COMPUTING ENVIRONMENT SPC has a standardised computing environment based on Microsoft Office running under Microsoft Windows. SMOKE-FREE ENVIRONMENT Smoking is not permitted in the work place. EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES SPC is an equal-opportunity employer. Recruitment is based entirely on merit, but in cases where two short-listed candidates are ranked equal by the selection committee, preference will be given to Pacific Island nationals.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES The closing date for applications is 31 October 2011

Applicants are asked to use SPC’s online recruitment system. Only those applicants residing in a Pacific country or territory who cannot access the online recruitment system are allowed to send their documents to: Director-General, Secretariat of the Pacific Community, P.O. Box D5, 98848 NOUMEA CEDEX, New Caledonia or submit them by fax (+ 687 26 38 18) or email (spc@spc.int, preferably as an electronic attachment in Microsoft Word format). All other applicants must use the on-line recruiting system or their applications will not be considered. Applicants should provide their curriculum vitae and specifically address how their qualifications, knowledge and experience demonstrate their ability to successfully undertake the duties and responsibilities of the position in their cover letter. They should also provide names and contact details of three referees.