View Vacancy - Translator and Political Officer for Defence Section
The British Embassy in Tunis invites applications for the position of Translator and Political Officer, job grade Executive Officer (EO) to start as soon as possible.
Main purpose of the job:
- Provide professional high standard translation of documents in the Defence, Security, Military fields and other subjects.
- Provide verbal interpretation services including during high-level meetings up to ministerial level.
- Advise on interactions between the UK MOD in Tunisia and the Tunisian authorities.
Main duties and responsibilities:
- Professional high standard translation of documents in the Defence, Military fields and other subjects, including staff letters, shipping and aircraft information, invoices, newspaper articles and reports, correspondence, manuals, forms, notes verbale, brochures, spreadsheets and presentations. The materials translated include reports of interest to the Defence Attaché (DA) and Officer Commanding Regional Stabilisation and Advisory Team (OC RSAT); including correspondence between the Defence Attaché and UK Agencies, Tunisian Government Departments and Tunisian Agencies. In addition, communications to and from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs relating to HMS Ships and RAF and commercially chartered aircraft; Defence Section press briefs and occasional specialised Defence documentation.
- Diplomatically articulating and relaying DA and OC RSAT critical messages to multiple stakeholders within the Tunisian military (MOD protocol, intelligence, training authority, Navy, MoI CT partners etc.) and formulating bilingual courtesy letters on behalf of the DA or OC RSAT to Tunisian dignitaries.
- Provide simultaneous interpreting for visitors and Defence staff when liaising with French and Tunisian Arabic speaking personnel. This skillset is a key role during inward visits to the UK where you will be required to attend alongside the DA or OC RSAT.
- Creating and maintaining strong and productive relationships with Tunisian officers and interfacing with senior military and MoI contacts. Briefing DA and OC RSAT on the background of each key Tunisian stakeholder.
- Being the focal point for arranging DA and OC RSAT and UK visiting senior officials’ meetings, courtesy calls and visits to different Tunisian authorities.
- Providing advice on the Tunisian military and MoI CT forces, the Tunisian protocol and cultural structure. Advise on an agreeable route for achieving UK-TUN military convergence by avoiding any adversity caused by the two nations’ cultural differences.
- Researching, monitoring and reporting on key military and security developments in Tunisia and producing military media reports relevant to the UK- TUN military cooperation.
- Using linguistic and diplomatic skills to oversee and audit translations produced within the Embassy, ensuring accurate translation of Defence terminology to help avoid miscommunications helping to deepen the UK’s impact in its relations with the Tunisian Government.
- Assist in discussions with Tunisian stakeholders on logistical support for UK-TUN military and CT exercises.
- Act as the point of contact for Tunisian military, MoI CT personnel, and their families applying for visit visas to the UK on official business. This will include assisting with their applications and liaising with civilian visa agencies in both Tunisia and the UK. You will also be required to assist the Assistant to the DA with visiting forces visas for military personnel and their families travelling to the UK for military courses.
- Maintain the Defence Sections and RSAT external contacts database.
- Assist the Assistant to the DA and RSAT Projects Officer as required, and cover aspects of their work including in/out correspondence during absences.
- Assist with the coordination of ceremonial events, e.g. Remembrance Sunday, including attendance.
- Take on ad-hoc projects as detailed by the DA and OC RSAT, including the support to Defence Engagement and training activity in Tunisia.
The above list is not exhaustive and the jobholder will be required to be flexible and take on other ad hoc tasks as required.
Key behaviours required:
- Communicating and Influencing - Communicate purpose and direction with clarity, integrity and enthusiasm. Respect the needs, responses and opinions of others.
- Making Effective Decisions - Use evidence and knowledge to support accurate, expert decisions and advice. Carefully consider alternative options, implications and risks of decisions.
- Working Together - Form effective partnerships and relationships with people both internally and externally, from a range of diverse backgrounds, sharing information, resources and support.
- Seeing the Big Picture - Understand how your role fits with and supports organisational objectives. Recognise the wider Civil Service priorities and ensure work is in the national interest
- Fluency in English, French and Tunisian Arabic. Able to express ideas and messages clearly and concisely, both orally and in written communication and confidence in interpretation and translation.
- BA or equivalent level of qualification in translation.
- A minimum of two (2) years’ experience as a professional translator with a positive reference.
- Good communication and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to work as part of a team.
- Good time management by being able to prioritise workloads and deliver requests accurately and on time, actioning multiple strands of work at the same time and offering alternative solutions as necessary.
- Nothing to hinder the obtainment of vetting to legacy OS level.
- Good administrative skills including the use of the Microsoft Office package.
- Good knowledge of Tunisian military and security terminology.
- Good knowledge of the Tunisian military and security protocol structure.
Eligibility:
Applicants must have the right to work and reside in Tunisia immediately.
Working hours and remuneration:
The British Embassy in Tunis offers an attractive working environment and remuneration package for this role. Initial salary will be TND 3,984 per month while on probation. Salary after probation is TND 4,914. However, employees (UKB spouses/partners) who are not liable to pay local income tax on their Mission salary may have their salaries reduced by the equivalent local income tax amount.
This position is for a full-time employment, on a fixed term basis for one-year (renewable). The successful candidate will be subject to a 3 months probationary period that can be further extended up to 6 months. The appointment will also be subject to satisfactory local and UK security clearances.
Conditioned working hours are 40 hours gross per week. Standard working hours are from 08:00-16:30 from Monday to Thursday and 08:00-13:00 on Fridays. As a result of the pandemic the British Embassy operates on a hybrid in-person and remote working model. Unless authorised (and unless pandemic rules determine otherwise), we expect staff to be physically present in the Embassy several days per week.
In line with the Tunisian Government requirement for a ‘passe sanitaire’ to enter most public places, the embassy requires proof of Covid-19 vaccination, or an authorised exemption.
The jobholder will have many opportunities to benefit from a range of Embassy Learning and Development (L&D) initiatives. We have an active L&D Committee, which promotes different ways of learning, as well as offering Diplomatic Academy sessions and bringing in formal courses. You will be required to undertake mandatory training such as General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
The FCDO International Academy is the home of Learning and Development for the FCDO. It covers a wide range of essential as well as job specific subjects, and is designed to ensure that all staff can access high quality learning products. There is also great opportunity to learning and development ‘on the job’. Our staff are given responsibility and autonomy (and support), allowing them to develop skills and confidence through delivery. The Embassy also has an active Learning and Development Committee, to which applications can be made for specific, funded learning activity.
Application process:
Interested candidates must attach the following documents along with their online application form:
- An updated Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- A Covering Letter
** (Your application must include examples of when you have demonstrated the competencies outlined above in the cover letter or motivation section in the application form. Applications that do not include this information will be rejected).
Closing date for applications is at 23:55 (local time) on 20 September 2022.
Applications received after the stated deadline will not be considered.
The recruitment process, including security clearance, is expected to take around two months. The start date mentioned is a tentative start date and the successful candidate will be required to undergo security-vetting procedures. Any offer of employment will be subject to the candidate achieving suitable clearances.
The British Embassy Tunis is an equal opportunities employer, dedicated to inclusivity, a diverse workforce and valuing difference.
This opportunity is closed to applications.
