2015 LCE English Copy Preparer /Proofreader /Production Editor, New York Organization: DGACM - Department for General Assembly and Conference Management Country: United States City: New York Office: DGACM New York Grade: P-3 Posting Title: 2015 LCE English Copy Preparer / Proofreader / Production Editor, P-2 / P-3, P3 Job Code Title: COPY PREPARER/PROOFREADER/PRODUCTION EDITOR, ENGLISH Department/ Office Department for General Assembly and Conference Management Duty Station NEW YORK Posting Period 11 January 2015-10 February 2015 Job Opening number 15-LAN-DGACM-39746-L-NEW YORK (L) United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity Special Notice SPECIAL NOTICE FOR EXTERNAL CANDIDATES The purpose of the present Job Opening is to invite applications from prospective candidates who wish to take the competitive examination for English Copy Preparers / Proofreaders / Production Editors in 2015. The competitive examination for the recruitment of English Copy Preparers / Proofreaders / Production Editors will be held on 14 April 2015 in Geneva, New York, and other locations according to the number and location of applicants invited to take the examination and the availability of the necessary logistical support. Candidates who are successful in the written portion of the examination, which consists of separate tests of language-related skills and a following test of computer-based skills, will be invited to a competency-based interview to assess whether they possess the competencies required for the position. The interview is an integral part of the examination. Candidates invited for an interview should therefore not assume that they will be automatically placed on a roster or offered an appointment. As a result of the competitive examination, a roster will be established from which present and future vacancies for English Copy Preparers / Proofreaders / Production Editors will be filled. When vacancies occur in the language services of the United Nations Secretariat, successful examinees will be recruited from the roster, subject to the requirements of the service in terms of expertise and language combinations. All applications will be reviewed by the Board of Examiners. In instances where a large number of applications are received, the Board of Examiners reserves the right to admit to the examination only the most qualified applicants based on a review of qualifications over and above the minimum criteria. All applicants will be notified in writing of the Board's decision in respect of their application. The Board's decisions are final.
Successful examinees who receive an offer of appointment are strongly encouraged to accept it, as declining may affect their prospects of receiving a subsequent offer. A successful candidate who declines two offers will be removed from the roster. Examinees who are successful in this examination and are selected for inclusion in the roster will be appointed to fill vacancies as they occur in the language services of the United Nations Secretariat in New York, and other locations. Successful examinees will be expected to take up their functions as required by the needs of the Organization, specifically in the duty stations where vacancies are located. Successful examinees are expected to serve a minimum of five years in a language post. Successful candidates should note that, in accordance with the needs of the Service, they may be called upon to work outside normal working hours, including weekends and holidays. Successful examinees selected from the roster to fill vacancies are normally offered an initial two-year fixedterm appointment at the P-2 level. Upon satisfactory completion of this trial period, they will be considered for a continuing appointment according to the staff rules in place and, if approved, be promoted to the P-3 level, which comprises 15 steps. The fixed-term appointments of Copy Preparers / Proofreaders / Production Editors whose performance proves unsatisfactory will not be extended. Fully qualified Copy Preparers / Proofreaders / Production Editors with several years of internationally recognized professional language experience and demonstrated ability to perform high-quality work may be recruited at the P-3 level. Incomplete applications (including those without the essay or evidence of languages) and applications that are received after the above deadline will not be considered. No extensions for submission will be given if applications cannot be sent by the deadline set in Inspira. (New York HQ local time). SPECIAL NOTICE FOR INTERNAL CANDIDATES The purpose of the present job opening is to invite applications from staff members of the Secretariat at the P-3 level and below who wish to take the competitive examination for English Copy Preparers / Proofreaders / Production Editors in 2014, in accordance with the provisions of ST/AI/1998/7 and ST/AI/2000/1, as amended by ST/AI/2003/1. This examination is scheduled to be held on 14 April 2015 in Geneva, New York, and other locations, according to the number and location of qualified candidates convoked for the examination. The purpose of this examination is to establish a roster from which present and future vacancies will be filled. When vacancies occur, successful candidates will be recruited from the roster, subject to the requirements of the Section in terms of expertise, language combination and other considerations. The examination is open to staff members in all categories of the United Nations at the P-3 level and below who meet the eligibility requirements, as well as qualified external candidates. Rostered candidates may be selected to fill vacancies for English Copy Preparers / Proofreaders / Production Editors posts as they occur. Appointments shall be subject to rotation among duty stations, and English Copy Preparers / Proofreaders / Production Editors may be called upon to serve at other duty stations according to the needs of the Organization. Appointees are expected to serve a minimum of five years in language posts. The assignment of staff members of the United Nations who are successful in the examination and are selected to fill vacancies will be subject to the following conditions: 1. The assignment will be for a trial period of two years. Staff members below the P 2 level or in the General Service category will receive a special post allowance to the P-2 level. Staff members at the P-2 and P-3 levels will be assigned at their respective levels. 2. Staff members with a special post allowance to the P-2 level and those already at the P-2 level who successfully complete the trial period and are recommended by the Department for General Assembly and Conference Management and the Office of Human Resources Management may be
promoted to the P-3 level. Staff members already at the P-3 level who successfully complete the trial period will be confirmed in their functions at the P-3 level. After two years of satisfactory service on a fixed-term appointment, the candidate will be considered for a continuing appointment. This means that the candidate will have to demonstrate within that time that he or she possesses the requisite qualifications to serve as a career staff member of the United Nations in order to receive such an appointment. Staff members who do not successfully complete the trial period will be reassigned to posts at their previous levels, and the special post allowance, if any, will be discontinued. 3. In order to service meetings of the General Assembly or the Security Council, Copy Preparers / Proofreaders / Production Editors may be called upon to work outside normal working hours, including weekends and holidays. Staff members from subsidiary organs of the United Nations and staff members whose service is limited to a particular organ, fund or programme of the United Nations or special missions are considered external candidates for the purpose of this examination. Such candidates, if successful in the examination, will be offered a new appointment with the United Nations, subject to normal United Nations recruitment procedures and standards. All applications will be reviewed by the Board of Examiners. In instances where a large number of applications is received, the Board of Examiners reserves the right to admit to the examination only the most qualified applicants based on a review of qualifications over and above the minimum criteria. All applicants will be notified in writing of the Board's decision in respect of their application. The Board's decisions are final. Candidates who are successful in the written portion of the examination, which consists of separate tests of language-related skills and a following test of computer-based skills, shall be invited to a competency-based interview to assess whether they possess the competencies required for the position. The interview is an integral part of the examination. Candidates invited for an interview should therefore not assume that they will be automatically placed on a roster or offered an appointment. On the basis of the overall results of the examination, the Board will recommend to the Assistant Secretary- General for Human Resources Management the names of candidates who qualify for inclusion in the roster. All examinees will be informed in writing of the Board's final recommendation in respect of their candidature. The Board's recommendations are not subject to appeal. The Board does not release individual scores or results. Rostered candidates who are offered an appointment are strongly encouraged to accept it, as declining two offers will result in a change in the candidate's roster status from 'active' to 'inactive'. Staff members selected to fill vacancies will be recruited as English Copy Preparers / Proofreaders / Production Editors according to the staff rules in force. Incomplete applications (including without the essay or proof of knowledge of languages) and applications that are received after the above deadline will not be considered. No extensions for submission will be given if applications are not sent by the deadline set in Inspira. (New York Headquarters local time). Organizational Setting and Reporting These positions are located in the Department for General Assembly and Conference Management (DGACM) at Headquarters and other duty stations, where applicable. These positions are under the general supervision of the Chief of the Copy Preparation and Proofreading Section and directly under the Chief of Unit for the respective languages, as appropriate. Responsibilities Within delegated authority, the Copy Preparer/Proofreader/Production Editor will be responsible for the following duties: (These duties are generic and may not be carried out by all Copy Preparer/Proofreaders/Production Editors.)
Copy-edits electronic manuscripts of publications, ensuring accuracy of content, terminology, grammar, syntax, punctuation, spelling and conformity with established United Nations style. Imports text into desktop publishing software and completes formatting of text, tabular matter, front matter and back matter, using electronic templates and style sheets. Proofreads galley or page proofs against original source manuscript (normally English or French) to ensure that the printed version is a true transcription of the text supplied for publishing, and introduces corrections of substance, spelling, grammar, style and typography. Completes cross references within text and footnotes, as well as pagination and correlation of table of contents with listed items in a publication. Checks sales number, roll figure, ISBN and ISSN numbers and bar code. Checks concordance of text with texts of other official languages to ensure substantive and typographical conformity. Reads amended proofs against previous proofs and incorporates additional editorial alterations as required. Prepares final PDF files for electronic publishing and archiving. Packages files for archiving to local and network drives. Performs other related duties as required. Competencies Professionalism Ability to demonstrate a high level of concentration and work under continuous stress. Knowledge of a broad range of subjects dealt with by the United Nations, i.e. political, social, legal, economic, financial, administrative, scientific and technical. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. Knowledge of computer workstations and desktop publishing is an advantage. Knowledge of word-process is required. Teamwork Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others' ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings. Planning& Organizing Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently. Communication Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. Technological Awareness
Keeps abreast of available technology; understands applicability and limitation of technology to the work of the office; actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks; shows willingness to learn new technology. Education Hold at least a three-year university first level degree from a university or institution of equivalent status at which English is the principal language of instruction. The requirement for a university degree or its equivalent from a university or institution of equivalent status mentioned above may be waived for staff members who, in the judgement of the Board of Examiners, have adequate post-secondary educational qualifications from a university or institution of equivalent status and adequate secondary educational qualifications from an establishment at which the principal language of instruction is English, in addition to five years of continuous service with the United Nations Secretariat by 31 December 1989. Work Experience Two years of experience in printing/publishing/editorial/graphic design is highly desirable. Practical and demonstrated knowledge of proofreading/typography is necessary. Languages Have English as their main language (The main language should be understood to be the language in which the candidate is best able to work.). Have a perfect command of oral and written English and an excellent knowledge of French and one of the other official languages of the United Nations (Arabic, Chinese, Russian or Spanish). Applicants' claim to knowledge of official languages of the United Nations must be supported by relevant documentation attached to their applications. ALL APPLICANTS SHOULD SUBMIT WITH THEIR APPLICATIONS A ONE-PAGE ESSAY IN ENGLISH IN LIEU OF A COVER NOTE, EXPLAINING WHY THEY WISH TO WORK AS COPY PREPARER / PROOFREADER / PRODUCTION EDITOR IN THE UNITED NATIONS. Assessment Method Applications will be screened and carefully assessed on the basis of the eligibility criteria, and only those applicants who are deemed qualified will be convoked for the written examination. Only examinees that are successful in both parts of the written examination (items (a) and (b) below) will be invited to the competency based interview. The examination will consist of three parts: a. An eliminatory written examination on proofreading, copy preparation and language knowledge; b. A computer test on desktop publishing skills and knowledge of printing, tentatively scheduled for mid-june, for those candidates who pass the eliminatory written examination. c. A competency based interview. The first written examination, which is scheduled to be held on 14 April 2015, will consist of the following four papers: d. Copy-editing and copy preparation of a text intended for typesetting (2 hours and 15 minutes); e. A English-language aptitude test (45 minutes); f. Proofreading against a manuscript (2 hours); g. A language aptitude test in the two additional languages (1 hour). United Nations Considerations Job openings posted on the Careers Portal are taken off at midnight (New York time) on the deadline date.
Applications are automatically pre-screened according to the published evaluation criteria of the job opening on the basis of the information provided by applicants. Applications cannot be amended following submission and incomplete applications shall not be considered. The selected candidate will be subject to a reference checking process to verify the information provided in the application. Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the At-a-Glance on 'The Application Process' and the Instructional Manual for the Applicants, which can be accessed by clicking on 'Manuals' on the upper right side of the browser on Inspira. The United Nations shall place no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. (Charter of the United Nations - Chapter 3, article 8). The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Candidates will be required to meet the requirements of Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter as well as the requirements of the position. The United Nations is committed to the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity for all its human resources, including but not limited to respect for international human rights and humanitarian law. Candidates may be subject to screening against these standards, including but not limited to whether they have committed, or are alleged to have committed criminal offences and/or violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law. No Fee THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS' BANK ACCOUNTS.