Job Description

• Noumea-based position
• Attractive expatriate package
• Join the principal development organisation in the region

Description

The Pacific Community (SPC) is the principal scientific and technical organisation in the Pacific region, supporting development since 1947. We are an international development organisation owned and governed by our 27 country and territory members. In pursuit of sustainable development to benefit Pacific people, our unique organisation works across more than 25 sectors. We are known for our knowledge and innovation in such areas as fisheries science, public health surveillance, geoscience, and conservation of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture.

T he Operations and Management Directorate (OMD) provides corporate services to all SPC Divisions and Programmes. It consists of three key departments: Finance, Human Resources and Information Services. OMD is focused on improving the effectiveness of systems, policies and management to provide high-quality customer-oriented services.

The role – the Translator-Reviser (French) will be responsible for translating documents from English into French, revising/quality controlling translations and managing specific translation projects to enable SPC to operate as a bilingual organisation in compliance with its mandate so as to stimulate knowledge flows and for practical purposes.

The key responsibilities of the role include the following:

Translation and language pre-processing of documents

• Produce translations and, most often, self-revised translations from English to French in a wide range of technical and scientific areas, as well as dealing with general SPC materials which may be highly sensitive and complex.
• Pre-process and pre-translate, where needed, certain translation requests for work done in-house or outsourced.
• Work in close collaboration with colleagues to ensure consistency and quality.
• Abide by the principles of professional ethics and confidentiality.
• Add the original document and its translation into the relevant Logiterm modules for the database to be updated.

Revision & Quality Control, and Support in managing freelancers

• Process freelancers’ queries on content and terminology on the day they are received, allowing translators to clarify issues before delivering their translations. 
• Liaise with clients to clarify issues and provide answers to the freelancers’ questions.
• Revise translations from freelancers and in-house translators within the timeframe agreed with clients, covering a wide range of technical and scientific areas, as well as dealing with general SPC materials which may be highly sensitive and complex.
• For freelancers’ self-revised translations: perform basic or detailed quality control (QC) according to timeframe and/or requirements, with evaluation sheets filled in accordingly.
• Provide feedback to freelancers in the week following the revision/QC.
• Proofread selected publications and engage with the publications team or divisional teams for any changes required.
• Ensure that translation requests are sent to freelancers, by working with the Administrative Assistants and serve as the reference point for freelancers.
• Under the supervision of the Translation Coordinator/Reviser (French), take part in selection of freelancers, maintain a file on the quality of services provided by the freelancers selected as part of the Request for Proposals (RFP), and help prepare the freelance survey.

Translation project management

• Prepare and manage complex translation projects (terminology, extensive project for outsourcing…), using both Logiterm and Trados Studio.
• Ensure, from start to completion, follow-up on assigned translation projects, mainly from English to French, particularly in terms of meeting deadlines and communication with clients.
• Track and update the status of tasks and requests in ServiceNow.
• Under the supervision of the Translation Coordinator/Reviser (French), support the work to anticipate and monitor SPC Divisions’ translation needs (technical meetings, reports, etc.).

Terminology and Support for the use and maintenance of translation tools

• Help broaden the SPC terminology database by creating and processing terminology records in Logiterm.
• Help manage terminology projects and tools.
• Support the Translator-Reviser in charge of translation tool management, especially in their absence, and assist the translation team in using Trados Studio.
• Develop tutorials/briefs on specific functionalities in Trados Studio to improve usage by internal staff and freelancers.

For a more detailed account of the key responsibilities, please refer to the online job description .

Key selection criteria

Qualifications

• Postgraduate degree in translation or in a related field or equivalent body of knowledge and experience.

Technical expertise

• At least 5 years of professional experience as a translator in an international or government organisation, or as a freelance translator working mainly with international/government organisations, and 2 years of experience in revision.
• Excellent command of translation technologies, especially Trados Studio.
• Broad general knowledge and thorough understanding of a wide range of technical and scientific subjects in both languages.

Language skills

• First-language-level French and very good command of English.

Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness

• Ability to work quickly and efficiently under pressure.
• Ability and willingness to learn and adapt to new technologies, strategic change and methodologies.

Salary, terms and conditions

Contract Duration – This vacant position is budgeted for 3 years and is subject to renewal depending on funding and performance.

Remuneration – the Translator-Reviser (French) is a band 10 position in SPC’s 2025 salary scale, with a starting salary range of SDR (special drawing rights) 3,568-4,364 per month, which converts to approximately XPF 521,491-637,777 (USD 4,745-5,804; EUR 4,370-5,345). An offer of appointment for an initial contract will normally be made in the lower half of this range, with due consideration being given to experience and qualifications. Progression within the salary scale is based on annual performance reviews. SPC salaries are not presently subject to income tax in New Caledonia.

Benefits for international staff employees based in New Caledonia  – SPC provides subsidised housing in Noumea. Establishment and repatriation grant, removal expenses, airfares, home leave travel, health and life and disability insurances and education allowances are available for eligible employees and their eligible dependents. Employees are entitled to 25 working days of annual leave per annum and other types of leave, and access to SPC’s Provident Fund (contributing 8 % of salary, to which SPC adds a 10% contribution).

Languages – SPC’s working languages are English and French.

Recruitment principles – SPC’s recruitment is based on merit and fairness, and candidates are competing in a selection process that is fair, transparent and non-discriminatory. SPC is an equal-opportunity employer , and is committed to cultural and gender diversity, including bilinguism, and will seek to attract and appoint candidates who respect these values. Due attention is given to gender equity and the maintenance of strong representation from Pacific Island professionals.  If two interviewed candidates are ranked equal by the selection panel, preference will begiven to the Pacific Islander . Applicants will be assured of complete confidentiality in line with SPC’s private policy.

Application procedure

Closing date: 13 April 2025 – 11:00 pm (Noumea time)

Job Reference: CR000385

Applicants must apply online at

Hard copies of applications will not be accepted.

For your application to be considered, you must provide us with:

• an updated resume with contact details for three professional referees
• a cover letter detailing your skills, experience and interest in this position
• responses to all screening questions

Your application will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed at shortlisting stage if all the above documents are not provided. Applicants should not attach copies of qualifications or letters of reference. Please ensure your documents are in Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF format.

SPC does not charge a fee to consider your application and will never ask for your banking or financial information during the recruitment process.

Screening questions (maximum of 2,000 characters per question):

1. What is your approach to translation and revision?  Please give examples.
2. What are the translation tools you currently use or have used in past experiences, and what are your views on the latest technological advancements in the translation sector?
3. In your words, how can high-quality customer service be balanced with a versatile position? What constitutes excellent customer service? Please give examples.

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