Location: Kenya (Nairobi)
Closing date: 13 Jun 2008
Job Description

Responsibilities

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the United Nations system’s designated entity for addressing environmental issues at the global and regional level. Its mandate is to coordinate the development of environmental policy consensus by keeping the global environment under review and bringing emerging issues to the attention of governments and the international community for action. UNEP's Division of Communications and Public Information (DCPI) communicates UNEP's core messages to all stakeholders and partners, raising environmental awareness, influencing attitudes, behaviour and decisions related to the local and global environment, and enhancing the profile of UNEP worldwide.

This post is located in UNEP/DCPI at the Nairobi duty station. Under the supervision of the Head of the Internet Unit in DCPI, the Associate Website Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

1. Developing www.unep.org/fr navigation/browsing structure: a. Developing navigation or browsing structures for efficient access to UNEP’s French content on the web; b. Providing advice on the appropriate use of internet technologies to ensure efficient functional and aesthetically appealing French content websites; c. Determining the elements for the www.unep.org/fr homepage and corresponding transitional pages.

2. a. Creating French content websites and sub-sites as necessary and/or appropriate; b. Developing, managing and maintaining the static and dynamic French content websites assigned by the DCPI, Internet Unit Head; c. Following up, gathering and updating information/data on assigned French content websites on an agreed upon frequency; d. Identifying information/data within the organization that could be leveraged to enhance both the delivery of substantive information and enhancing the image of the organization; e. Automating French content websites (dynamic websites)/ developing and maintaining databases as appropriate.

3. Translating website content from English to French, or French to English: a. Creating, converting or translating website content from English to French or from French to English; b. Performing as an integral member of the Internet Unit Language Team to ensure consistency of language versions of www.unep.org website (French, Chinese, English, and Spanish); c. Liaising with Divisions in order to determine the appropriate content to be translated for use of the French website; d. Translating press releases produced by UNEP and partners; e. Translating books, booklets, brochures and other promotional material into French language for posting on the website.

4. Maintaining and populating databases that will be used by end users; Preparing, updating and maintaining database documentation and related procedural manuals.

5. Assisting in training courses/seminars/workshops/meetings, awareness / promotional campaigns and demonstrations: a. Booking appropriate training facilities at the request and direction of the supervisor; b. Assisting and providing user support to the technical web managers and the web architect when training technical staff and/or end-users during courses/workshops/etc.; c. Drafting training materials and assisting in conducting training sessions and demonstrations of systems for users; d. Assisting with demonstration of web applications.
Competencies

Professionalism - Good understanding of translation methodology and environmental terminology used in technical documents, reports, and press releases. Overall understanding of and interest in key current environmental issues. Ability to liase with the francophone community and with relevant stakeholders to determine areas of particualr interest for web development in French.

Technological awareness - Uses appropriate technology for assigned tasks, is familiar with various web development tools and content management systems.

Communication - Ability to speak and write clearly, ability to interact with partners effectively and to demonstrate openness in sharing information.

Accountability - Demonstrates the taking of ownership of all responsibilities and honoring commitments; delivers outputs within prescribed time and quality standards.

Qualifications

Education: Advanced University degree in linguistic studies or journallism, combined with Computer, Information Systems or other related field. Equivalent combination of education, certification or a first University degree with a relevant combination of academic and professional qualifications.

Work Experience: A minimum of three years of progressively responsible professional experience in translating technical text from English to French and vice versa. Experience in web development, management and maintenance in a bilingual (French and English) or multilingual environment. Experience in maintaining databases, computer programming, and information management desirable.

Languages: English and French are the working languages of the UN Secretariat. For the advertised post, fluency in oral and written French and English is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is an asset.
Vacancies Contact
www.unep.org/vacancies
(Professional Positions)