Language Services Assistant (Russian)
Contract
This is a G-5 contract. This kind of contract is known as General Service and related categories. It is normally only for nationals. It usually requires 5 years of experience, depending on education. More about G-5 contracts.
Org. Setting and Reporting This position is located in the Russian Translation and Text Processing Section (RTTS) of the Conference Management Service (CMS), Department for General Assembly and Conference Management (DGACM) in Vienna. CMS operates administratively under the Division for Management (DM), United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV). The incumbent reports to the Chief of Section. This position is under the general supervision of the Chief of the Russian Section.
For more information visit UNOV's website: www.unov.org.
Responsibilities Within limits of assigned authority, the Language Service Assistant (Russian) will be responsible for the following duties:
- Coordinate and track the entire workflow of the Section from reception of client submissions to delivery of translations (an increasing volume of work, including substantial publications and urgent parliamentary in-session documents with competing deadlines for multiple clients among the Vienna-based organizations);
- Assist the Chief of Section in planning, prioritizing and allocating the Section’s work; distribute the work to translators and revisers, specifying deadlines; communicate with staff working according to three operational modes (in-house, teleworking and off-site) over several countries in different time zones to ensure the coordinated timely delivery of translations; initiate each stage of the workflow in the units;
- Ensure continuous and seamless communication between all members of the Section (including teleworking and off-site staff) and the Document Management Unit (DMU), including the contractual services team, so as to guarantee a constant workflow, negotiating deadlines with DMU as necessary and, in close collaboration with DMU staff, setting priorities within the Section according to clients’ needs;
- Monitor documents sent out for external translation and coordinate their return to the Section for revision, quality control and/or formatting, ensuring that all aspects of the follow-up procedures are completed in a timely manner with a view to full quality assurance;
- Assist the Chief of Section in planning temporary recruitments with due regard to achieving a balanced workforce in the Section between off-site and in-house translators and prepare the recruitment requests for the Chief of Section;
- Assist the Chief of Section in planning and organizing shift schedules, inform staff of their shift assignments and communicate relevant information to all concerned;
- Plan and ensure the provision of computer equipment and e-mail services and access to IT and CAT tools to new staff in the Section, including freelance translators working in-house or off-site and teleworking staff; handle related arrangements such as requests for supplies or services and provide start-up training on the latest applications;
- Provide basic computer technical support to all staff in the Section; arrange for software upgrades, provide assistance in finding references and databases; assist with the operation of software; assist in troubleshooting basic computer problems in a timely manner; maintain contacts with the Information Technology Service (ITS), reporting any problems to its HelpDesk;
- Perform independently and effectively the full range of office management and administrative support functions, including time keeping, and attendance records for all Section staff; prepare attendance reports and enter all data, including contractual information into gDoc;
- Maintain and verify translation productivity and production statistics for the purpose or periodical performance reporting and capacity planning; assist in providing other statistical analyses based on gDoc and gData to produce reports on various aspects of workflow and working procedures;
- Organize and maintain the Section’s reference library; in addition to UN documents, purchase, register, classify and distribute reference books, periodicals and other materials, as appropriate;
- Assist in the administration of the Section’s traineeship and internship activities by liaising with the Human Resources Management Service (HRMS) to ensure smooth implementation of logistical arrangements, as appropriate;
- Assist 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.
- Assist with visualizations and updating information material such as web pages or brochures.
Perform other work-related tasks as required.
Competencies - Professionalism: Knowledge of general office and administrative support, including administrative policies and procedures, records management and filing. Ability to research, select, organize and summarize data and information required for the preparation of reports and statistics. 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. Commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of work.
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.
Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. Tactfulness and ability to mobilize staff within tight deadlines.
Education High school diploma or equivalent.
A recognized first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) may be accepted in lieu of two years of required work experience.
Job - Specific Qualification Passing the Global General Service Test (GGST) is a prerequisite, i.e. is required, for recruitment consideration in the General Services and related categories in the United Nations Secretariat. Applicants who have not passed the GGST at the time of application may be invited for the test after submitting an application.
The GGST is a proctored entry-level examination at the duty station. Any travel expenses incurred in order to take the examination are the responsibility of the candidate and will not be reimbursed by the Organization.
Having passed the Administrative Support Assessment Test [in English] at the United Nations headquarters, Economic Commission for Africa, Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia, United Nations Office at Geneva, United Nations Office at Vienna, International criminal tribunal for Rwanda or International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia may be accepted in lieu of the GGST.
Work Experience A minimum of five years (or 3 years in combination with a first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent)) of experience in general office support or related area is required.
Experience working with Word and Excel on a daily basis is required.
Experience in database management in general and production management systems is desirable.
Experience within the United Nations system or a similar international organization is desirable.
Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, an excellent command of Russian, including grammar, spelling and usage and a very good working knowledge of English is required. Knowledge of any other United Nations official language is an asset.
Assessment Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise and a competency-based interview.
Special Notice This position is subject to local recruitment pursuant to staff rule 4.4 of the United Nations Staff Rules. Applicants for positions in the General Service and related categories must be authorized to work for the United Nations in the duty station where the position is located. Eligible applicants selected from outside the duty station are responsible for any expenses in connection with their relocation to the duty station. Staff members subject to local recruitment are not eligible for allowances or benefits exclusively applicable to international recruitment.
At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity.
All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect.
The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application.
Education qualification exceeding the specified requirement of this job opening including university degrees and certificates shall not give rise to additional entitlements or benefits, or facilitate a move to the Professional category. The movement of staff members from the General Service and related categories to the Professional category in the United Nations Secretariat is exclusively allowed through the Young Professionals Programme competitive examinations. Only a few staff members pass the competitive examinations. Passing the competitive examinations does not guarantee movement to the Professional category. For further information, please visit https://careers.un.org/lbw/home.aspx?viewtype=GP
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. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.
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.
Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process.
The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.
Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.
The 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 according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. 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 reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.
Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (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.