Recording Studio Engineer / Producer at 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 life-saving and life-changing information every year.

We are recruiting to fill the position of:

Job Title: Recording Studio Engineer / Producer

Location: Maiduguri, Borno
Contract Length: Until December 2021 with a Possibility of Extension
Hours: Part-Time
Travel: Limited Travel in Northeast Nigeria
Reporting To: Program Coordinator

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.

The 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, the Recording Studio Engineer/Producer will advise, produce, record, edit and package translations, scripts, video, animations in 2D, 3D,  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 (NE and NW) 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

• 3+ years’ experience in radio, production, or similar audio field 
• Fluent English speaker and spoken Hausa and Kanuri 
• Proven audio production and audio engineering skills 
• Ability to work fast, under pressure 
• 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.

Application Closing Date
7th May, 2021.