Country: Nigeria
Closing date: 22 Dec 2019
Recording Studio Engineer/Producer- national position
The mission of Translators without Borders is to provide people with access to vital knowledge in their language. We do this by building language technology, increasing language translation capacity at a local level, providing language and simplification services that are culturally appropriate, accessible and open source, and raising awareness globally of language barriers.
Contract length: One year with a possibility of extension
Hours: Full-time
Location: Maiduguri, Borno
Travel: limited travel in northeast Nigeria
Reporting to: Accountability to Affected Populations Coordinator
Application deadline: 22 December2 019
About Translators without Borders
Translators without Borders (TWB) envisions a world where knowledge knows no language barriers. The US-based non-profit provides people access to vital knowledge in their language by connecting non-profit organizations with a community of language professionals, building local language translation capacity, and raising awareness of language barriers. Originally founded in 1993 in France (as Traducteurs sans Frontières), TWB translates millions of words of lifesaving and life-changing information every year.
Background
In northeast Nigeria, humanitarian organizations are working to support some 1.9 million internally displaced people (IDPs) and the communities hosting them. But language is a challenge: in this linguistically diverse part of the world, people forced from their homes don’t always speak the same language as the people around them. International aid organizations may lack the skills to communicate with everyone in their own mother tongue. They often also lack information about the language and communication needs of affected people.
TWB has been providing language services in northeast Nigeria for just over a year, building humanitarian capacity for communication in the right language and format. A lot needs to be done. TWB in Nigeria is rapidly scaling up its teams and programs to support responders’ efforts to communicate more effectively, with funding from DFID and ECHO and partnerships with key humanitarian responders like the Norwegian Refugee Council, the International Organization for Migration and the International Rescue Committee
We do not want one third of internally displaced people to lack information in their language. We do not want widespread communication gaps to compromise data quality. We do not want the too common reliance on written communication to exclude vulnerable groups.
So, we innovate, we research, we bring unique expertise and approaches to:
Provide evidence to inform communication strategies, as we have just done with our latest report on audio communication for example.
Promote accountability through two-way communication in the right languages. TWB helps tailor community feedback mechanisms to the language and communication needs of the most vulnerable.
Reduce confusion with multilingual terminology databases. TWB’s sectoral glossaries are available for free on a mobile web app with offline and audio capability.
Train interpreters and field workers. Training in the basics of interpreting limits information loss and aids confidential, ethical support services. Language training for data collectors and program staff promotes data quality and program impact.
Improve understanding with plain language, translation, and audio. Clear content in plain language using pictures and audio benefits the widest audience. We offer written and audio translations and support pictorial messaging.
Role
The Recording Studio Engineer/Producer under the guidance of the Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP) Coordinator, will be responsible for producing high-quality audio content created from TWB’s language services in northeastern Nigeria. Specifically, s/he will advise, produce, record, edit and package translations, scripts, public service announcements (PSA), radio content, and other audio content.
Responsibilities
Delivery of audio content relating to translation and language services
Produce and package (record, edit, mix) language audio content from TWB’s translation services.
Create, guide and advise TWB staff on use of audio in our outreach programs.
Produce inspiring audio content as outreach to diverse communities in the north east.
Suggest and implement the creative and innovative use of audio being delivered and promoted in IDP camps and host communities.
Collaborate on voice data projects, ensuring that the deadlines are met, and product is delivered in a timely fashion.
Produce and train TWB language staff in voice over presentation methods.
Oversee and manage the TWB recording studio – scheduling use and being responsible for maintenance of all equipment.
Other
Support TWB’s efforts to scale up operations in Nigeria and the Lake Chad basin
Initiate or contribute to regular reporting as required
Maintain open and professional relationships with the internal TWB team, TWB volunteers and partner agencies
Contribute to a positive, innovative and supportive work environment
Any other duties relevant to the job description as needed
The role will evolve during the initial deployment as projects and activities develop so flexibility and the willingness to adapt to constantly changing circumstances is important.
Requirements
Fluent English speaker and spoken Hausa and Kanuri
Proven audio production and audio engineering skills
Ability to work fast, under pressure
3+ years’ experience in radio, production, or similar audio field
A track record of creating innovative and high-quality audio programming
Willingness to travel to insecure locations for work
Desirable
Previous experience with non-profit organizations, particularly in development and/or humanitarian action
Experience and appreciation of the languages of north east Nigeria
Experience in training, teamwork and capacity building.
Essential Aptitude
Ability to demonstrate initiative, be proactive and offer a solution-oriented approach
Determined and committed to high quality standards with attention to detail
Ability to establish effective and collaborative working relationships at all levels internally and externally
Excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills
Ability to prioritize work, meet deadlines and work calmly under pressure
Self-motivated, flexible and enthusiastic approach to work
Resourcefulness and ability to innovate to find creative solutions
Disciplined and with a strong sense of accountability and integrity
Interest in and commitment to TWB’s humanitarian mandate
Core Values
Translators without Borders employees and volunteers are people who believe passionately about the value of this work and take personal responsibility for achieving the mission. Translators without Borders’ mission and organizational spirit embody the core values established in its strategic framework:
Excellence: As the leading voice for communicating humanitarian information in the right language, Translators without Borders is a leader in the translation industry and in the non-profit sector.
Integrity: Translators without Borders believes that every person, whether it’s the people who we serve, our volunteers or our staff, has value, deserves respect and has inherent dignity.
Empowerment: Translators without Borders believes in using language to empower people around the world to control their own development and destiny.
Innovation: Translators without Borders recognizes and celebrates the power of innovation to address humanitarian and crisis issues around the world.
Sustainability: Translators without Borders recognizes that meeting our mission necessitates establishment and maintenance of a solid financial and organizational infrastructure.
Tolerance: Our staff and volunteers are highly knowledgeable and skilled; value each other, our partner and our recipients; create a supportive work environment; and, always conduct themselves professionally .
Translators without Borders is an equal-opportunity employer, committed to diversity and inclusion, and encourages qualified candidates of all genders and from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organization.
How to apply: