Language Proficiency Exam Constructor - Arabic

Result of Service Consultants are expected to construct and deliver a final version of the LPE in Microsoft Word within the agreed upon timeline and adjust exams as recommended by the Board of Examiners. Satisfactory completion and submission of a final version of the examinations according to the LPE Test Specifications includes:

A total of 50 items (questions) for the reading and listening sections - 25 Multiple Choice or True/False items for the reading comprehension section, divided across three tasks - 25 Multiple Choice or True/False items (questions) for the listening comprehension section, divided across three tasks - A total of two written production tasks - A total of up to three spoken production tasks - All audio/video extracts edited to the required length and saved as MP3 (audio) or MP4 (video) file format, following specific guidance from SAS or the BOE - A script of the listening comprehension section - A key with the correct answers for the reading and listening comprehension sections

Work Location Remotely

Expected duration Duration of contract is expected to be between 3 and 5 work months.

Duties and Responsibilities The Language and Communications Training Unit (LCTU) promotes linguistic balance and multilingualism within the Secretariat and improves the language abilities of staff, as mandated by the General Assembly in its resolutions 2480 B (XXIII), 43/224D and 50/11. To do so the LCTU offers language and communication skills courses in Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish to staff members at UN Headquarters in New York and also in the Global Secretariat.

The Office of Support Operations (OSO) in the Department of Operational Support (DOS) is responsible for constructing and administering the language proficiency examinations (LPE) that are used to assess staff members’ proficiency in the six official languages, as stated in ST/AI/2016/9.

The Language and Communications Training Unit (LCTU) at the Capacity Development and Operational Training Services (CDOTS), OSO, DOS is responsible for constructing and for delivering a “camera ready” exam in each of the official languages to the Special Assessments Section (SAS) of the Staffing Service (SS) at the Human Resources Services Division (HRSD), OSO, DOS.

The duties of LPE constructors include the following. Specific details to be agreed with the LCTU management team:

• Select and/or create content to be included in the 4 sections of the LPE exam: listening comprehension, reading comprehension, written production and spoken production
• Construct ab initio (from scratch) one full set of new items for the listening and reading comprehension sections
• Construct ab initio two tasks for the written production section and up to three new for the listening comprehension section
• Work with the assigned member of the LPE Board of Examiners and/or editorial board to ensure that format and content of the exam (audio and video extracts, texts, items, questions, answers, instructions…) are consistent with LPE Guidelines provided by Special Assessments Section (SAS) and aligned to the LPE Test Specifications.
• Edit all audio and video extracts to the required length and save as MP3 or MP4 file format, following specific guidance from SAS or the BOE.
• Regularly communicate with the assigned member(s) of the LPE Board of Examiners.
• Adjust work according to feedback provided by the Organization and deliver a final draft of the LPE within the agreed timeline. Create a script of the listening comprehension section

• Create a key with the correct answers for the reading and listening sections

  Qualifications/special skills Academic Qualifications: Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent degree) in language area studies, language teaching, applied linguistics, communication or education/pedagogy or related area is required. Degrees with special emphasis on the theory and practice of teaching a second or foreign language to adult learners are desirable.

A first-level university degree in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Post-degree training in second or foreign language teaching and assessment is highly desirable. Experience: A minimum of five years of experience teaching Arabic as a foreign or second language to adults in a multi-cultural setting (corporate, academic or other professional setting), is required. Of these, at least three years of recent experience in language examination design is required.

Experience using learning management systems such as Moodle, and online collaboration tools is desirable.

Experience at an international level in a multicultural environment is desirable. Language: English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Fluency and proficiency in the Arabic language is required (oral and written). Knowledge of English is required. Knowledge of other UN official languages is an advantage.

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.