Deadline: 24 June, 2021

Location: Abidjan, Ivory Coast

The African Development Bank (AfDB) is seeking applications from eligible applicants for the post of Division Manager.

AfDB’s mission is to spur sustainable economic development and social progress in its regional member countries (RMCs).

Responsibilities

• Draft policies, rules and standards to govern bank-wide interpretation
• Ensure quality interpretation services are provided at all meetings and events organised by the bank at headquarters or abroad, or at other events to which the bank is party
• Analyse meeting interpretation requests and decide on the need for and level of outsourcing
• Facilitate the use of English and French as working languages within the bank group
• Continually review and implement practical guidelines and procedures for the efficient delivery of interpretation services
• Contribute to effective communication between the management and officers of the bank, the authorities of member countries, officials from other organisations, etc. by ensuring the provision of cost- effective and quality interpretation services at meetings
• Review requests for interpretation and assign interpreters, both staff and freelance workers, accordingly
• Review the annual meetings programme and determine the number of freelance interpreters to be recruited to service all the meetings in English, French, Arabic and Portuguese (as well as any other languages required) and follow up on all the arrangements related to travel, accommodation and payments
• Lead, manage and supervise the work of staff in the division
• Assess training needs of staff in the division, and in a participatory manner, formulate customised training programmes and follow up with CHHR for implementation
• Monitor and evaluate the performance of staff interpreters in accordance with the bank’s performance evaluation guidelines
• Organise briefing sessions for interpreters assigned to highly technical meetings as well as all those on emerging issues
• Plan, organise and supervise accreditation tests for new freelance interpreters
• Oversee the implementation of the framework agreement signed with freelance interpreters
• Ensure both staff and freelance interpreters receive the relevant background documents well in advance of meetings to ensure familiarity with the subject matters
• Advise senior management of the budgetary and financial impacts of the division’s operations
• Oversee the mentoring of interns
• Advise and sensitise department directors, managers and all other clients on interpretation-related issues and policies
• Organise and monitor staff exchange programmes with sister institutions
• Promote benchmarking with sister institutions and sharing of best practices in the industry and, in this regard, represent the bank at forums where such issues are discussed
• Perform interpretation tasks when appropriate
• Represent the division, as needed, in bank-wide working groups as well as preparatory meetings for high level events
• Lead and supervise the team of interpreters at major events the bank may have in and outside the bank’s headquarters
• Design technical tests for candidates who have been shortlisted for chief and principal interpreter positions, and sit on interview panels for the said positions
• Act for the director and carry out other assignments as entrusted by the director

Requirements

• Master’s degree in Interpretation
• Eight years, minimum, of relevant experience in a similar organisation, with three years, minimum, in a supervisory role
• Ability to work under pressure, keep calm and composure, prioritise work programme, and handle multiple tasks
• Ability to analyse requests and complex interpretation scenarios and working out appropriate solutions
• Ability to dialogue with and sensitise clients on interpretation-related issues
• Ability to formulate and defend budget proposals vis-à-vis the hierarchy of the complex, draft reports, policies and guidelines
• Competence to lead, supervise and motivate the teams, and to delegate work and responsibilities appropriately
• Ability to take responsibility for the financial and staffing aspects of operational management and service delivery
• Private sector experience will be a plus
• Ability to communicate efficiently (written and oral) in English or French
• Competence in the use of standard Microsoft Office applications and knowledge of other software packages applicable to translation and interpretation

To apply and for more information, click here.

Photo source: Rwanda Government