Translator/Language Specialist at Education Development Center

Education Development Center (EDC) is one of the world’s leading nonprofit research and development firms.  Established in 1958, EDC designs, delivers and evaluates innovative programs to address some of the world’s most urgent challenges in education, health, and economic opportunity.  Our services include research, training, educational materials, and strategy, with activities ranging from seed projects to large-scale national and international initiatives.

The USAID Let’s Read Project is a 5-year, $48.9 million project in the five target provinces of Eastern, Muchinga, Southern, Northwestern and Western Zambia that works to improve reading outcomes for approximately 1.4 million children attending pre-primary (kindergarten) through to Grade 3 and provide professional development for teachers to support reading interventions in Zambian public and community schools

Position Description

EDC will develop a number of Interactive Audio Instruction (IAI) programs to support early grade reading and improve the quality of early education. These interactive audio programs will guide teachers and students through lessons to address specific learning objectives. The Translator/Language Specialist is part of a production team who works closely with scriptwriters, actors and the production team to produce Interactive Audio programming for early education classes. The Translator/Language Specialist translates scripts into one of 7 local languages – Icibemba, Citonga, Cinyanja, Kikaonde, Silozi, Lunda or Luvale – in a way that maintains the core integrity of the script while assuring its cultural comprehension among local language speakers. The translator/language specialist will work with both scriptwriters and production teams. This position reports to the scriptwriting coordinator. This position is located in Lusaka.

Essential functions of the Translator/Language Specialist include:

• Translates scripts for pre-primary/early childhood education classes according to schedule and meet deadlines


• Collaborate, exchange ideas and work in close cooperation with the Ministry of General Education (MoGE) and the Let’s Read  production team involved in the development of programs.


• Assist in the formative evaluation of programs and participate in feedback sessions assist in the overall “master planning” for educational audio and program design process ;


• Revise scripts according to formative evaluation assessment


• Participate and contribute to the overall master planning (program design for radio format) process


• Maintain records of scripts and master plans electronic and hardcopies;


• Perform others duties as assigned

The candidate for the position of Translator/Language Specialist shall have at a minimum the following qualifications:

Education:

• At least a high school degree, Bachelor’s degree or equivalent with 1-3 years of relevant experience,


• Higher education a plus

Skills and Experience:

• Familiarity with MOGE recognized languages of instruction, Cinyanja, Icibemba, Citonga, Kikaonde, Luvale, Lunda, Silozi


• Ability to write and read in one or more of above local languages


• Familiar with culture (songs, poetry...), creativity, flexibility, use of imagination, initiative and ability to work with a team toward a common goal are essential


• Primary teaching or experience in education, in Theater Arts, Script Development or equivalent preferred


• Ability to self-manage: Scriptwriters are responsible for adhering to tight deadlines for work products


• Ability to work collaboratively: Scripts are written in a coordinated manner and rely on what was written previously for uniformity, continuity and no ambiguity.


• Ability to meet deadlines: All steps involved in the process of writing to broadcasting will mainly be time driven.


• Work timely and effectively to meet deadlines


• Willing to work extra hours when necessary


• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.


• Experience in the production of educational materials, preferred;


• Flexibility, initiative and ability to work with  a team towards common goal is essential;


• Excellent writing skills;


• Mastery of basic software competence; Word, Excel

Language:

Fluency in English and one of the following languages is required:Cinyanja, Icibemba, Citonga, KiKaonde, Luvale, Lunda, Silozi

Job Closing Date: June 28, 2019

Due to the volume of applications submitted, only finalists will be notified. No phone calls, please.

Applications submitted without a resume or CV will not be considered.

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EDC is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to enhancing the diversity of its workforce and ensuring an equitable and highly inclusive work environment. EDC is a smoke-free workplace, and offers a supportive work environment, competitive salary, and excellent benefits. Women, minorities, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.