Editorial Assistant at Department for General Assembly and Conference Management – DCS Nairobi

Responsibilities:

• Leads the development and adoption of modified working methods and procedures in the framework of ongoing modernization processes, including the Global Terminology, Reference, and Translation Solutions (gText) project.  
• Ensures that modified workflows are designed and implemented according to rigorous and transparent standards that reflect the language-specific operational needs of each unit and are supported by systematic training.    
• Checks the quality of documents produced by all units with respect to desk-top publishing standards and ensures their publication on the United Nations documents Official Document System (ODS); establishes priorities, issues special instructions as needed for the production of camera-ready documents for reproduction and storage of final text.  
• Confers and collaborates with all language units in order to maximize resources; this includes identifying statistical charts, diagrams and charts for utilization by all units.  
• Prepares, compiles, and submits statistical reports on capacity-planning, productivity, rate of client satisfaction, percentage of reissuance requests, and other reports.  
• Trains staff to align 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.  
• Trains staff to perform other modified text-processing functions developed under gText or related workflow reviews, such as in the area of pre-processing or pre-translation of texts.  
• Oversees the creation, updating and maintenance of macros, templates and models to be used by all units.  
• Identifies and retrieves documents from ODS; researches and verifies United Nations terminology on the Intranet, as required.  
• Stays available for overtime and on-call assignments, depending on the needs of service.  
• Assists with the collection and analysis of data as well as preparation of data presentations and reports for information sharing, responding to queries, knowledge management, planning and decision making.  
• Assists with visualizations and updating information material such as web pages or brochures.  
• Performs other duties 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.
  • Ability to perform analysis, modeling and interpretation of data in support of decision-making.
  • 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

• Completion of high school diploma or equivalent is required.  
• Supplementally training in desktop publishing or a related field is highly desirable.
• Must have passed the relevant United Nations editorial and desktop publishing tests.

Work Experience

• A minimum of Seven (7) years of progressively work 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 relevant experience is reduced to five (5) years for candidates who possess a first-level University degree.    
• A minimum of 5 years proven track record of excellent IT skills is required.  
• Experience in creating, updating and maintaining macros, templates and models is desirable.    One (1) year or more of wo