Consultancy - Translation Coordination

Organizational Context

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, with a network of 191 member National Societies. The overall aim of IFRC is “to inspire, encourage, facilitate, and promote at all times all forms of humanitarian activities by National Societies with a view to preventing and alleviating human suffering and thereby contributing to the maintenance and promotion of human dignity and peace in the world.” IFRC works to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people before, during and after disasters, health emergencies and other crises.

IFRC is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (the International Movement), together with its member National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The work of IFRC is guided by the following fundamental principles: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality.

IFRC is led by its Secretary General, and has its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.

IFRC has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment and other forms of harassment, abuse of authority, discrimination, and lack of integrity (including but not limited to financial misconduct). IFRC also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles.

The FAMD is responsible for advising the Secretary General vis‐a‐vis IFRC’s governance in relation to sound financial management and the effective use of financial resources. Additionally, the FAMD is responsible for managing IFRC’s overall budgeting, accounting, treasury, assets, financial reporting and services, building and related services, conferencing services and languages, library and archives as well as insurance management.

This position is placed in the FAMD Event and Facilities Services and reports to the Manager, Event and Facility.

Job Purpose

Event and Facility Services plays a vital role in the efficient running of the IFRC Secretariat. It ensures that translations and revisions of all IFRC corporate documents in the four working languages of the IFRC and other languages are carried out in a timely and professional manner, and that high standards of quality are maintained throughout the process. It also ensures the delivery of high-quality interpretation services during statutory and other IFRC meetings. This also includes facilitating precis-writing services to provide a written record of the spoken proceedings of the Statutory Meetings and related statutory bodies' plenary sessions.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

The Consultant shall provide temporary support to Event and Facility Services (Meeting & Conference Services), including translation coordination and various administrative tasks:

• Translation Coordination

1. 1. Coordinating translations into English and non-in-house languages (Russian, Portuguese, German, Chinese, etc.).
   2. Maintaining the IFRC English and non-in-house language translator network, including the recruitment of external linguists when required.
   3. Coordinating translations into Spanish and maintaining the IFRC Spanish translator network, including the recruitment of external linguists, while recruitment for the Coordinator/Senior Reviser, Spanish Language Services, is underway.
   4. Managing French and Arabic translation requests in the absence of the Coordinator/Senior Reviser, French Language Services, and the Coordinator/Senior Reviser, Arabic Language Services.
   5. Helping ensure the efficient use of resources, including negotiating discounted rates for long translation projects where appropriate.
   6. Contributing to calculating the IFRC translation budget.
   • Proofreading and editing
   1. 1. Proofreading and editing English-language documents at the request of the Manager, Event and Facility Services.
      2. Gauging the quality of English-language texts to determining whether a text requires editing or proofreading.
      3. Outsourcing proofreading and editing requests to freelance professionals from the IFRC English translator network.
      4. Helping ensure the efficient use of resources, including negotiating discounted rates for long editing and proofreading projects where appropriate.
      • Invoicing
      1. Job Duties and Responsibilities (continued)
         1. Ensuring translator and interpreter invoices are compatible with D365 F&O.
         2. Processing invoices in D365 F&O.
         3. Acting as the focal point for translators and interpreters to follow up on payments and ensure they are made in a timely manner.
         • Contracts and framework agreements
         1. 1. Concluding framework consultancy agreements with external translators and interpreters.
            2. Concluding daily contracts with interpreters.
            3. Recruiting précis-writers at the request of the Statutory Meetings focal points.
            • Interpretation
            1. 1. Coordinating interpretation (online and in-person) in cooperation with the Event and Facility manager and the external head of interpretation.
               2. Contributing to calculating the IFRC interpretation budget.
               • Statutory Meetings
               1. Education Required Experience Required Preferred Knowledge, Skills and Languages Required Competencies, Values and Comments Communication; collaboration and teamwork; judgement and decision making; National Society and customer relations; creativity and innovation; building trust.
                  1. Working closely with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) translation team to coordinate translation of International Movement meeting documents during the Council of Delegates and the International Conference.
                  2. Coordinating the move of the translation team from the IFRC office to the conference venue in preparation for the Statutory Meetings, including the moving of IT equipment and other necessary supplies.
                  3. Contributing to calculating the Statutory Meetings translation and interpretation budget.
                  4. Recruiting external professionals to cover additional Spanish and English translation needs during the Statutory Meetings.
                  • Performing other duties as requested by the supervisor/manager.
                  • A master's degree or equivalent training in translation or interpretation.
                  • Excellent knowledge of translation, translation processes and translation software.
                  • Excellent knowledge of interpretation services in an international context.
                  • Excellent knowledge of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.
                  • Prior experience in translation coordination at an international organization.
                  • At least 4 years of experience in the translation or interpretation industry.
                  • Prior experience working within the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.
                  • Experience editing and proofreading English-language documents.
                  • Experience supporting governance mechanisms, committees, or senior leadership offices.
                  • Native speaker of English.
                  • Fluency in French.
                  • Excellent knowledge of one other official language (Arabic or Spanish).
                  • Flexibility, problem solving, pro-activity, negotiation, decision-making, judgement.
                  • Ability to work under pressure.
                  • Full command of e-Lingüe or equivalent software.
                  • Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Office and translation assistance software.