Chief Interpreter (English) - CHLS2 at African Development Bank - AfDB

Reference: ADB/18/109
Location: Côte d’Ivoire
Grade: PL3
Position N°: 50001494

The Complex

• The Vice-Presidency, Human Resources and Corporate Services (CHVP) is instrumental in implementing the Bank’s development agenda and strategic focus. CHVP leads efforts to ensure the competitiveness of the Bank as the employer of choice and is responsible for providing leadership in the formulation and implementation of Bank's strategies on people, IT, general services and institutional procurements, business continuity, health and safety, and language services.

The Hiring Department

• The primary role of the Language Services Department is to ensure and facilitate, as required by the Bank's Agreement,  written and verbal communication in the working languages of the Bank (English and French, and on occasion Arabic and Portuguese) on all issues submitted to the Senior Management and governing bodies of the Bank in furtherance of the its mission
• In this regard, the Department accords high priority to ensuring an accurate and effective flow of communication within the Bank, and also between the Bank, its shareholders, development partners and the public at large, by providing the highest quality of translation, interpretation and terminological services to the Institution
• It also seeks to promote multilingualism to enhance communication among staff and with the Bank’s clients and partners.

The Position

• Under the general supervision of the Interpretation Division Manager, the Chief Interpreter (English) will provide high quality interpretation services (simultaneous and consecutive) at high-level meetings, events and functions of the Bank and contribute to the design and implementation of quality control mechanisms for Interpretation into English.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide  high-quality interpretation at meetings of the Bank, especially at statutory meetings (BOG, BOD, Bank Group Annual Meetings, ADF Replenishment, GCI) and other high-level events;
• Lead large teams of interpreters at high-level flagship events such as the AEC, CoP Meetings, High Level Panels and Summits;
• Monitor and evaluate the performance of all English booth freelance interpreters recruited by the Bank and present periodic reports to the Division Manager thereon for consideration during the annual updating of the roster of freelance interpreters, as part of his/her quality control function;
• Participate in the selection of freelance interpreters in the English booth in accordance with the Guidance Note on the recruitment of consultants for Language Services;
• Serve as quality control focal point for interpretation into English;
• Monitor the work of Principal and Senior Interpreters in the English booth and contribute to their performance evaluation at the end of the year;
• Participate in the recruitment of Principal and Senior Interpreters in the English booth;
• Coach and mentor Senior Interpreters in the English booth as well as new interpreters on the freelance roster;
• Lead and chair working groups tasked with reviewing various issues related to interpretation services, policies and guidelines, drawing on industry best practice;
• Evaluate reports from team leaders regarding issues concerning the English booth arising from meetings and propose  necessary follow-up actions;
• Work closely with the Conference Services of the Bank to ensure that booths and other meeting facilities are in line with industry standards;
• Work closely with the Division manager, as may be necessary, in the coordination of English interpretation activities at Bank Group Annual Meetings;
• Sit, as and when necessary, on the examination panels of Interpretation Schools with particular focus on the performance of graduating students in the English booth;
• Represent the Division on various committees as determined by the Division Manager, especially in preparation of high-level events, and perform any other duties as may be required;
• Act for the Division Manager, as and when necessary. In that capacity,  plan, organize, and supervise the activities of the Division.

Selection Criteria
Including desirable skills, knowledge and experience

• A minimum of a Master's Degree or its equivalent in Conference Interpreting, or any other related discipline;
• At least 7 (seven) years of professional experience in a similar organization, with increasing levels of responsibility. 
• Relevant and practical experience in an international organization will be an asset;
• Ability to work under pressure, with calm and serenity, setting priorities and managing multiple tasks simultaneously;
• Capacity to lead, supervise and motivate teams of interpreters in a complex multicultural environment;
• Ability to contribute to strategic thinking with a view to improving interpretation and other business processes of the Language Services Department;
• Ability to evaluate interpreters objectively and give appropriate feedback;
• Ability to coach and mentor less experienced interpreters with a view to enhancing their performance;
• Ability to multitask and manage complex interpretation requests and scenarios.