Translator

About BBC Media Action

Job Summary

Overall Purpose of the Job
Reporting to the Editor, the job of the Pashto Translator is to provide translation and interpreting services for a production team at BBC Media Action, primarily from Pashto to English. This will include providing simultaneous translation for team members in Kabul whose first language is English, facilitating discussions between the production team and actors, audience members and experts featured on Ghamai. A significant component of this role involves providing written translations in both English and Pashto on documents such as scripts, project and audience reports.

Duties & Responsibilities

Main duties and Responsibilities

Transcribe and translate recordings of the radio programme, Ghamai, as required from Pashto to English.

Translate scripts, reports, programme logs, impact studies and case studies or other documents related to all programmes, mostly from Pashto to English, or from English to Pashto.

Transcribe and translate research documents, including any recording of focus group discussions, audience feedback forms Ghamai project activities.

Translate other documents from Pashto to English or English to Pashto for the office as required.

Simultaneous/consecutive translation of any meetings/proceedings when required.

Assist arranging meetings when necessary for BBC Media Action staff and/or visiting consultants and accompany them to meetings for translation/interpretation.

Perform other duties as requested by line manager.

Job Requirements

Essential skills and experience

At least high school-level graduate in any discipline, or equivalent level of experience

Very good idiomatic English

Fluent in Pashto (native speaker) with an appreciation of regional dialects and idioms

Ability to translate from Pashto to English and vice versa with accuracy and speed

Ability to translate from Pashto to Dari and vice versa with accuracy and speed

Good typing speed in both Pashto and English

Must be ready to travel when needed
Desirable skills and experience

Understanding of the radio audience in Eastern and Southern Afghanistan and how to reach different sections of this audience.

Understanding of childhood immunization and/or polio, or experience working on health projects.

Knowledge and experience of international development.
Competencies
The following competencies (behaviours and characteristics) have been identified as key to success in the job. Successful candidates are expected to demonstrate these competencies.

Planning and organisation - able to think ahead in order to establish and efficient and appropriate course of action for self and others. Prioritises and plans activities taking into account all the relevant issues and factors such as deadlines, staffing and resources.

Influencing and persuading - able to present sound and well-reasoned arguments to convince others. Can draw from a range of strategies to persuade people in a way that results in agreement or behaviour change.

Communication - able to get one’s message understood clearly by adopting a range of styles, tools and techniques appropriate to the audience and the nature of the information.

Managing relationships and team working - able to build and maintain effective working relationships with a range of people. Works co-operatively with others to be part of a team, as opposed to working separately or competitively.

Creative Thinking – Is able to transform creative ideas/impulses into practical reality. Can look at existing situations and problems in novel ways and come up with creative solutions.

Resilience - manages personal effectiveness by managing emotions in the face of pressure, setbacks or when dealing with provocative situations. Demonstrates an approach to work that is characterised by commitment, motivation and energy.

Flexibility - adapts and works effectively with a variety of situations, individuals or groups. Able to understand and appreciate different and opposing perspectives on an issue, to adapt an approach as the requirements of a situation change, and to change or easily accept changes in one’s own organisation or job requirements.

Submission Guideline

Submission Guideline
Interested qualified female or male Afghan national’s candidates should submit their CV with cover letter explaining their interest and suitability for the post to:

Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this role.

Please remember to mention the position title at the subject line of your emails.

Functional Area

Media

Countries

Submission Email

kabulhr@af.bbcmediaaction.org

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