Language and Desktop Publishing Assistant

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Chinese Desktop Publishing Unit, Multilingual Technology Section, Languages Service, Division of Conference Management, Department for General Assembly and Conference Management, United Nations Office at Geneva.

The incumbent will report to the Head of Unit.

Responsibilities

Within limits of delegated authority, the Language and Desktop Publishing Assistant will be responsible for the following duties:

• Performs desktop publishing functions, including incorporating corrections and formatting documents, as well as creating tables, graphics and organization charts, in desktop publishing formats, in accordance with existing guidelines.
• Performs proofreading functions by checking successive versions of edited and translated documents against previous versions, as appropriate, in accordance with existing guidelines.
• Assists the Programming Officer or equivalent in the distribution of work, including by monitoring the progress of work, as requested, and assists in ensuring the smooth electronic transmission and processing of documentation.
• Compiles and scopes final documents against the submitted document.
• Participates, as a member of a team, in the production of parliamentary and miscellaneous documentation, supplements and sales publications, by preparing desktop publishing layout of the final product in relevant language for reproduction in hard copy and electronic dissemination.
• Aligns bi-texts in order to support the production of high-quality translation memories for computer-assisted translation (CAT), machine translation (MT) and related workflow improvements.
• Performs other modified desktop publishing functions developed through workflow reviews.
• Inputs data into databases and assists in the analysis of data, as well as the preparation of data presentations and reports, for information-sharing, responding to queries, knowledge management, planning and decision-making.
• Contributes to the effective use of relevant language technologies and tools, by actively applying those technologies, and shows willingness to learn new software, as needed.
• Stays available for assignments and shifts, depending on the exigencies of service, including outside normal working hours.
• Works effectively in in-person, remote or hybrid teams, as needed.
• Performs other related work as required.

Competencies

PROFESSIONALISM:
Knowledge of editorial practices and desktop publishing, including typographic standards. Proficiency in the language of the unit and in United Nations terminology. Knowledge of United Nations structure and rules of procedure of various organs, including documents production system.

Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations.

Commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of work.

TEAMWORK:
Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others' ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings

TECHNOLOGICAL AWARENESS:

Keeps abreast of available technology; understands applicability and limitation of technology to the work of the office; actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks; shows willingness to learn new technology.

Education

High school diploma or equivalent is required.

Job - Specific Qualification

Additional formal training in desktop publishing or a related field is desirable.

Work Experience

At least three (3) years of experience in desktop publishing or a related field, including draft typing, copy editing, formatting, proofreading and creating typographical layouts, is required.

The minimum years of progressively responsible experience is reduced to one (1) for candidates who possess a first-level university degree or higher.

Out of these three years, one year (1) of experience within the United Nations Common System or similar international organizations is desirable.

One year (1) or more of experience in data analytics or related area is desirable. Experience in creating typographical layouts using Microsoft Office and Adobe Suites is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in Chinese, which must be the candidate's main language is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations languages, English or French, is required.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which will be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice

This position is subject to local recruitment pursuant to staff rule 4.4 of the United Nations Staff Rules.

Applicants for positions in the General Service and related categories must be authorized to work for the United Nations in the duty station where the position is located.

Eligible applicants selected from outside the duty station are responsible for any expenses in connection with their relocation to the duty station.

Staff members subject to local recruitment are not eligible for allowances or benefits exclusively applicable to international recruitment.

At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity.

All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect.

The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities.

Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application.

United Nations Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts.

The term "sexual exploitation" means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another.

The term "sexual abuse" means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions.

The term "sexual harassment" means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator's working relationship.

Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.

Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible.

The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs.

The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process.

By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c).

Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised.

This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions.

Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on "Manuals" in the "Help" tile of the inspira account-holder homepage.

The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines.

Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening.

No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted.

Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING).

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS' BANK ACCOUNTS.

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