JOB DESCRIPTION AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL LANGUAGE RESOURCE CENTRE (LRC) JOB TITLE: LRC Coordinator of French translation team DEPARTMENT: Language Resource Centre, Campaigns & Communications Directorate JOB PURPOSE: To lead, develop and coordinate the services provided by the French translation team, including external freelance translators, ensuring the service is provided in a seamless and consistent way to meet the needs of the Movement. To translate, revise and apply language, translation, editorial and terminology expertise to documents. To contribute to developing and coaching other translators in a less senior role and lead on training new freelance translators. To develop and implement quality assurance mechanisms and style guidelines for into French translation, and lead on the coordination and enrichment of the French terminology database. LRC PURPOSE: As part of the Campaigns & Communications Directorate, the LRC provides expert language services to the Movement by leveraging the current language skills, sharing knowledge and streamlining operations while making the most effective and strategic use of language funding and resources. It delivers high quality content and services, promoting best practices in the field of language, with an innovative, multi-disciplinary approach to language. It continuously develops its professional expertise, acquires new skills, and uses technology creatively. AIIS PURPOSE: The International Secretariat (IS), which operates from a number of sites around the world, gathers and communicates accurate and action-oriented human rights information globally. We campaign for meaningful human rights change; enable effective human rights activism and work to persuade governments and other actors to uphold universal human rights standards. We provide strategic leadership, support and advice to the AI movement globally, fostering AI s contribution, presence and public accountability throughout the world. WORKING RELATIONSHIPS: Reporting to: Head of Translation, with dotted lines to the Paris Office Manager Posts that this job manages: The other translators who are part of the in-house translation team. Other key relationships: All members of the LRC, particularly the Paris-based team, the Head of LRC Operations, the Head of Translation and the LRC Planner and Language Desk Manager, the Regional Language Production Coordinator (Dakar), external professional translators and revisers, the contact persons at both the IS, Regional offices and in the sections for which
language work is provided and other stakeholders in areas of work which are key to the successful delivery of the translation work (e.g. IT, experts, etc.). USEFUL INFORMATION: Working hours will be aligned to the business hours of the office where the post is located, but might also need to be scheduled jointly with the other members of the LRC team, especially Regional Language and Production Coordinators, depending on service needs. There is room for flexible work hours within each translation team. Arrangements are made with the line manager to ensure a balance of work/life hours. Remote working is acceptable provided that contact and supervision of the translation team are ensured. LOCATION: Paris MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES: Translation and Editorial Translate, edit, adapt and review the documents and texts assigned for translation into French using French editorial expertise. Effectively communicate project scope and expectations to team members in a timely, clear, and respectful manner throughout the entire project cycle. Provide initial and ongoing training to new and existing freelance translators on key concepts, terminology, style, conventions, etc. essential to the translation of Amnesty s texts as well as training on software use and procedures, which will enable freelance translators to deliver quality translations in the shortest time possible. Contribute to developing and coaching other translators in a less senior role. Contribute to the decision-taking and management of typesetting projects, and make sure to liaise, if necessary, with the Multilingual DTP Specialist to advise on fonts, formats and designs which allow meeting the needs of a given target and/or multicultural audience. In close cooperation with the LRC Terminology Specialist, lead on the coordination and enrichment of the French terminology database. Ensure that accurate information on the team s activity is available for reporting purposes. Apply and foster inter and intra-team cooperation and exchange by working in a consultative way with all members of the wider Programme, freelancers and other stakeholders within the Organization. Detect areas for improvement and propose ways to streamline service. Quality Control Ensure that the in-house and external translation team adhere to documented quality standards, style guides and
requester-specific instructions. In collaboration with the Head of Translation, develop and monitor procedures and quality standards to enable the effective functioning of a high profile translation service. Ensure gender and diversity are mainstreamed into language standards and guidelines. Planning & Coordination Ensure work is prioritized and distributed among the team of translators based on the information provided by requesters, available resources and budget. Monitor translation projects assigned to term members and ensuring on time delivery of projects through contact with the Language Desk team members, the LRC Planner and the Paris Office Manager. Ensure successful project coordination and delivery through accurate planning and effective use of translation team s capacity and skills. Jointly with the Head of Translation, work strategically to optimize existing processes, initiate and implement new ways to improve processes utilizing the resources available in the most effective ways. Human Resources Identify and report on any sourcing needs and play an active role in or effectively delegate the screening, selection and evaluation process of new freelance translators, applying the sourcing and evaluation criteria established by the Head of Translation. Make sure to retain a pool of resources of sufficient quantity and quality to create positive impact on the organization s effectiveness. Contribute to the recruitment and selection of new in-house translators. WHAT DOES SUCCESS LOOK LIKE IN THIS JOB? The translation team provides an effective, timely and high quality translation service, and adheres to documented quality standards, style guides and requester-specific instructions, and meets the Movement s needs. Effective communication and project coordination is ensured with colleagues at different level of the organization during the whole project cycle. In-house and external resources are used effectively and according to their skills. The pool of freelance resources is large enough to enable the translation team to deal with work during peak periods and unplanned workloads. SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE: Educational background
Degree in Translation, Foreign languages, Journalism, Law or Marketing and Communication (or equivalent). Translation and Editorial skills Native French speaker and fluent in English. Competency in any other language would be advantageous. Translation skills with a focus on human rights language. Ability to grasp the meaning of AI texts and accurately convey it into French. Extensive experience in translating texts based on an understanding of French audiences. High level of IT literacy and fluency with Office software and Internet communication tools. Knowledge of Computer Aided Translation tools. Excellent writing and editing skills across different media. Understanding of, or experience in, professional translation/editorial quality standards. Translation team coordination Extensive experience of maintaining and developing systems to monitor and effectively coordinate translation activities. Extensive experience of collaborating with language experts for the production of documents and publications. Ability to effectively delegate tasks to other members of the team. Ability to foster team integrity, build team spirit, establish mutual trust and confidence also thanks to the recognition of the successes of the team and wider Programme. Ability to influence team members to enthusiastically work towards common goals. Experience of balancing conflicting priorities, identifying problems and negotiating with colleagues to solve them. Ability to advise staff, management and the wider movement on translation planning, processes and standards. Organizational skills Experience of organizing one's own work without supervision, and reporting on progress to the line manager. Experience of supervising a team and planning and coordinating the work of others. Strong prioritization and time management skills. HOW YOU WORK - COMPETENCIES: The IS Behaviour Framework focuses on how we work rather than what our job is designed to do. It articulates the behaviours that are expected from a group of professionals who are working effectively together. Competency: Level: (A, B or C) Delivering Results: B Working with others: B
Developing oneself and others: B Contributing to a Dynamic and Effective International Secretariat: B Making decisions: B Taking the initiative: C Communicating and influencing: B EQUALITY STATEMENT Equality and diversity is at the core of our values and staff are expected to work collectively and individually to promote a constructive and sensitive approach to others from a variety of backgrounds, where the work of others is valued and respected. CONFLICT OF INTEREST Public or other activity, affiliation to or support for any group or organization, personal association or other factor which may generate a real or perceived conflict of interest with Amnesty International s principles (specifically independence and impartiality), or raise a security concern, or otherwise prevent the candidate from carrying out key functions of the specific post and would therefore disqualify the candidate from being appointed. Written by: Lucio Bagnulo Date agreed: March 2016