Job Description
| Organization | United Nations World Food Programme |
| Job Title | Communication (Translation) Officer, NOB (138481) |
| Requisition ID | 138481 |
| Area of expertise | Partnerships |
| Type of contract | Long term opportunities |
| Location | Sudan – Khartoum |
| Posted Date | 17/02/2021 |
| Closing date | 03/03/2021 |
WFP seeks candidates of the highest integrity and professionalism who share our humanitarian principles.
Selection of staff is made on a competitive basis, and we are committed to promoting diversity and gender balance.
ABOUT WFP
The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide. The mission of WFP is to help the world achieve Zero Hunger in our lifetimes. Every day, WFP works worldwide to ensure that no child goes to bed hungry and that the poorest and most vulnerable, particularly women and children, can access the nutritious food they need.
ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT
These jobs are found in Headquarters (HQ) and Country Offices (COs). Job holders operate with minimal supervision, and are heavily involved in day–to-day activities, analytical work and provide advice on less complex issues.
In HQ, job holders report to the Director of Communications or the designate. These roles work in a specialist area of communications.
In RBs, job holders report to the Regional Director or the designate, with functional supervision from the Director of Communications or the designate.
In COs, these roles report to the Country Director, with functional supervision from the Regional Communications Officer, to ensure that the CO communications activities serve WFP needs in the country of assignment, taking into consideration the overall regional communications plan and WFP’s corporate communications goals.
JOB PURPOSE
To implement the communications plan by supporting and delivering a range of communications activities, providing research and analysis, and prioritising effectively.
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)
1. Translates from local language(s) to designated UN working language(s), subject to revision, a variety of texts covering a broad range of subjects dealt with by the United Nations, i,e political, social, legal, economic, financial, administrative, scientific and technical; respecting deadlines and using appropriate terminology;
2. Assists in matters of terminology and style to ensure uniformity and quality;
3. Resolves translation/editorial issues (i.e. clarification on ambiguities, technical meanings etc.) through consultation with authors.
4. Aims at high standard of accuracy, consistency and fidelity to the spirit, style and nuances of the original;
5. Observes the established terminology and usage and ensures, as far as possible, consistency with other translators working on similar documents;
6. Uses all sources of reference, information and consultation relevant to the text at hand and carries out any research required;
7. Maintains a certain speed and volume of output, taking into account the difficult of the text and the specified deadlines;
8. Identifies new terminology material for the consideration of revisers and terminology managers;
9. Supports preparations for official meetings, events, and visits and participants fully in assigned operational activities related to the work of WFP;
10. Performs other duties as required.
4Ps CORE ORGANISATIONAL CAPABILITIES
Purpose
- Understand and communicate the Strategic Objectives: Understands WFP’s Strategic Objectives and the link to own work objectives.
- Be a force for positive change: Flexibly adapts individual contributions to accommodate changes in direction from supervisors and internal/external changes (such as evolving needs of beneficiaries, new requirements of partners).
- Make the mission inspiring to our team: Recognizes and shares with team members the ways in which individual contributions relate to WFP’s mission.
- Make our mission visible in everyday actions: Sets own goals in alignment with WFP’s overall operations, and is able to communicate this link to others.
People
- Look for ways to strengthen people’s skills: Assesses own strengths and weaknesses to increase self-awareness, and includes these in conversations on own developmental needs.
- Create an inclusive culture: Participates in open dialogue, and values the diverse opinion of others, regardless of background, culture, experience, or country assignment.
- Be a coach & provide constructive feedback: Proactively seeks feedback and coaching to build confidence, and develop and improve individual skills.
- Create an “I will”/”We will” spirit: Participates in accomplishing team activities and goals in the face of challenging circumstances.
Performance
- Encourage innovation & creative solutions: Shows willingness to explore and experiment with new ideas and approaches in own work.
- Focus on getting results: Consistently delivers results within individual scope of work on time, on budget and without errors.
- Make commitments and make good on commitments: Commits to upholding individual accountabilities and responsibilities in the face of ever-changing country or functional priorities.
- Be Decisive: Makes rational decisions about individual activities when faced with uncertain circumstances, including in times of ambiguity regarding information or manager direction.
Partnership
- Connect and share across WFP units: Seeks to understand and adapt to internal or cross-unit teams’ priorities and preferred working styles.
- Build strong external partnerships: Demonstrates ability to understand and appropriately respond to and/or escalate needs of external partners.
- Be politically agile & adaptable: Portrays an informed and professional demeanor toward internal and external partners and stakeholders.
- Be clear about the value WFP brings to partnerships: Provides operational support on analyses and assessments that quantifies and demonstrates WFP’s unique value as a partner.
FUNCTIONAL CAPABILITIES
| Capability Name | Description of the behaviour expected for the proficiency level |
| Media and Influencer Relationship Management | Demonstrates ability to build and sustain effective collaborative relationships with key media contacts and influencers in area of expertise to raise the profile of WFP, build relationships and further organisational aims. |
| Media and Communication Expertise | Facilitates open verbal or written communication with media and influencers as required (i.e. through preparation of tailored written or visual materials presentations, and official documentation) to convey tailored messages. Engages in mutually informative discussion with media and influencers. |
| Specialised Knowledge in Communications | Uses sound theoretical knowledge of communications concepts to generate or facilitate the generation of effective communication materials across various media. Applies this to define work plans aligned to identified areas of WFP’s communications strategy. |
| Sociopolitical Contextual Understanding | Demonstrates deep understanding of the multilateral/interagency environment and the dynamics in which WFP operates which influences approach to working, policy development and decision making. |
| Communication Strategy and Planning | Applies advanced understanding of WFP communications strategy and best practice to effectively develop strategies to engage with media and other significant external stakeholders within area of responsibility. Oversees implementation, providing recommendations for improvement. |
STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education: Advanced University degree in Journalism, International Relations, Public Relations, Communications or other relevant field, or First University degree with additional years of related work experience and/or trainings/courses.
Language: International Professional: Fluency (level C) in English language. Intermediate knowledge (level B) of a second official UN language: Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish, and/or WFP’s working language, Portuguese.
National Professional: Fluency (level C) in English language and the duty station’s language, if different.
DESIRED EXPERIENCES FOR ENTRY INTO THE ROLE
• Has gained experience in utilising specialist communications techniques to enhance functional outputs
• Has provided direction and instruction to more junior staff members within area of expertise
