Vacancy Announcement

Vacancy Announcement
Department for International Development
         DRC - Kinshasa

POSITION: B2 Translator / Interpreter  

SALARY: US$ 2,482 monthly

DURATION: Permanent

About DFID

The Department for International Development (DFID) leads the UK’s work to end extreme poverty, deliver the Global Goals, and tackle global challenges in line with the government’s UK Aid Strategy. Our aid budget is spent on tackling the great global challenges – from the root causes of mass migration and disease, to the threat of terrorism and global climate change – all of which also directly threaten British interests. We are ending the need for aid by building peaceful and stable societies, creating jobs and strong economies, fighting corruption, unlocking the potential of girls and women, tackling climate change and helping to save lives when humanitarian emergencies hit. We are doing this because it is both the right thing to do and firmly in Britain’s national interest.
DFID works in partnership across Whitehall and with governments, civil society, the private sector and multilateral institutions, including the World Bank, United Nations agencies, and the European Commission.

Background to the role

DRC matters to the UK. It is one of the poorest countries in the world, and it is estimated that by 2030, some 15% of the world’s poor will live in the DRC. It also remains a fragile state following decades of conflict. Ongoing low-intensity conflict in eastern and southern parts of the country has resulted in mass displacement. A collapse in commodity prices has brought to an end the rapid economic growth that followed the end of the second Congo war, and fiscal space for investment is extremely limited. DRC is prone to large public health emergencies, including yellow fever, cholera and Ebola, with the worlds second largest Ebola outbreak ongoing in the East of the country. The country continues to be one of the world’s most difficult contexts for women, with high rates of economic and political exclusion, and a prevalence of sexual and gender-based violence.

At the same time DRC has enormous potential for growth, trade and investment. Unlocking this potential will have huge benefits for the Congolese people and the region as well as increase commercial opportunities for UK businesses. The UK invests more than £345 million in the DRC each year, via contributions to multilateral organisations, to MONUSCO (the world’s largest peacekeeping mission) and through centrally-managed programmes. The DFID DRC bilateral country programme is currently valued at £192 million for FY 18/19  encompassing humanitarian, human development (health, education, water & sanitation), private sector development, and governance, conflict and social development activities.

Working in a francophone country requires an effective bilingual working ethos, in order to maximising our influencing ability and deliver effectively. This role is critical to our language offer to the office, providing accurate translation, interpretation, and language services to both our staff appointed in country, and UK based staff.

Key responsibilities and accountabilities

The successful candidate will interpret written or spoken material into French and/or English, ensures meaning and context are maintained. Supports the delivery of DFID DRC’s global language offer.

• Reads through or listens to material in English and/or French, ascertains understanding of the meaning and context of that material, and converts it into a second language, making sure to preserve the original meaning
• Provides high-quality translation and interpreting services to DFID, and where feasible across the embassy, ensuring proper coordination, management and timely responses.
• Interprets simultaneously, consecutively and by whispering during normal and high-profile events (ministerial/director)
• Consults with relevant development team advisers and colleagues to understand specialised concepts and translate them appropriately
• Refers teams to online translation tools, such a Linguee, Microsoft Translator, Collins etc., for additional assistance
• Provides quotes for external translation, where appropriate, based on the translation length and level of complexity, especially beyond the authorised 9-page limit for internal handling. Following up with clients to ensure satisfaction and understanding
• Knowledge and use of specialised translation websites, specialist dictionary and reference books to ensure efficiency and consistency. Researching technical vocabulary to find the closest equivalents for terminologies and words used
• Proofreads and edits final translated versions
• Retains and develops knowledge on specialist areas of translation

Behaviours we are looking for

• Delivering at pace: A positive, can do attitude, working with focus and pace to get the tasks at hand done on time and to a high standard. Delivering multiple workstreams at the same time, often to tight deadlines, and being flexible to adapt to changes in priorities across the office. Ensuring colleagues have the correct tools and resources available to them to do their jobs effectively.
• Communication and influencing: Communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing, taking time to consider the best communication channel to use for the audience, including making the best of digital resources and considering value for money. Interact with others in an enthusiastic way. Handle challenging conversations with confidence and sensitivity.
• Managing a quality service: Work collaboratively with colleagues to understand their needs and expectations. Create clear plan sand set priorities which meet the needs of both the customer and the business. Keep colleagues fully informed of plans, possibilities and progress. Identify common problems that affect service, report them and find possible solutions. Deliver good customer service which balances quality and cost effectiveness.
• Developing self and others: Identify gaps in own and team’s skills and knowledge. Set and consistently meet development objectives. Seek learning opportunities. Support the development plans of all colleagues, recognising how diversity of experience/background can help to build an inclusive team culture. Encourage and listen to developmental feedback from colleagues

Experience requirements

Essential:

• Fluency in both English and French (written and verbal communication; understanding of grammar; etc)
• At least 5 (five) years’ experience in translation/interpreting in a professional setting (e.g. working with Embassies; NGO’s; international banks and companies etc)
• Very good knowledge of local and international context;
• Information Technology Skills (especially Word, Excel, PowerPoint);

Desirable:

• Ability to speak and write in local languages such as Lingala, Kikongo, Swahili and Tshiluba
• Experience working in international development

Technical and required qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Languages or relevant fields;
• Fluent in and perfect command of English and French;

The full Job Description, Application Form and Civil Service Competencies can be found at:

https://www.gov.uk/world/organisations/dfid-drc/about/recruitment

DFID is committed to equal opportunities in its staffing policy and does not discriminate on the grounds of race, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation or disability. Selection will be on merit.   

Important – HOW TO APPLY!!

• The candidate must complete and send the application form to AfricaHRHubRecruit@DFID.GOV.UK with a copy of their mostrecent CV. The subject line MUST read “DRC 1903”.
• Failure to follow the outlined procedure might result in the application not being considered. The closing date for the vacancy is 16 July 2019. If no response has been received after 2 weeks from closing date, consider the application as unsuccessful.
• If you experience any problems with your application, request the application pack from the same email address listed above.