Individual Consultants for Translation, Interpreting and Editing Services - TCLS (EOI) at the African Development Bank Group (AfDB)

African Development Bank Group (AfDB) - Established in 1964, the African Development Bank is the premier pan-African development institution, promoting economic growth and social progress across the continent. There are 80 member states, including 54 in Africa (Regional Member Countries). The Bank’s development agenda is delivering the financial and technical support for transformative projects that will significantly reduce poverty through inclusive and sustainable economic growth.

We invite suitably qualified candidates to indicate their interest in joining the Department in the capacity below:

Job Title: Individual Consultant for Translation, Interpreting and Editing Services - TCLS

Location: Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire
Consultant type: Individual Contract Agent
Department: The Corporate Language Services Department (TCLS)
Duration of the assignment: Three (3) years
Estimated starting date: 1 April 2023.

Brief Description of the Assignment

• The African Development Bank (AfDB) is the premier multi-lateral development-finance institution in Africa and it seeks to foster, inter alia, economic growth and social progress on the continent.
• The AfDB’s primary goal is to reduce poverty and improve living standards by mobilizing resources in and outside Africa, and providing financial and technical assistance for development projects and programs in Africa.
• To ensure greater developmental impact, the Bank has rolled out a new Development and Business Delivery Model (DBDM) based on five top priorities (“High 5s").
• The Vice-Presidency, Technology and Corporate Services (TCVP) is instrumental in implementing the Bank’s development agenda and strategic focus.
• TCVP provides leadership in the formulation and implementation of Bank's strategies IT, general services and institutional procurements, business continuity, and language services.
• The primary role of the Corporate Language Services Department (TCLS), for efficient execution of the Bank’s mission, is to ensure, as required by the Bank's Agreement, the availability in the two working languages of the Bank (English and French, and occasionally Arabic and Portuguese) of all documents to be submitted to Senior Management and the governing bodies of the Institution.
• It also provides interpretation services at all Bank meetings, at Headquarters, in the Bank’s Regional and Country Offices and in the field.
• Likewise, it provides editing services for flagship reports and key documents produced by the AfDB.
• In view of the foregoing, the Corporate Language Services Department hereby invites individual consultants to express their interest to provide the following services:
  • Translations of Bank documents to and from English and French primarily, and occasionally to and from Portuguese and Arabic
  • Interpretation, during various Bank meetings and missions, into and from English and French primarily, and, occasionally, into and from Portuguese and Arabic; and
  • Editing of flagship Bank documents and reports in English and French primarily, and occasionally in Portuguese and Arabic.
• TCLS will select successful candidates and sign framework contracts with them to constitute a roster of freelance translators, interpreters and editors whose services will be contracted as and when needed during a period of three (3) years, renewable.

Objectives and Scope of the Assignment

• TCLS will use the services of the selected consultants, as and when needed, to meet the Institution’s translation, interpretation and editing needs throughout the duration of the framework contracts.
• Unless otherwise expressly decided by TCLS, there shall not be any lump sum payments and the consultants shall be paid for the services effectively provided.
• The consultant will be required to:
  • Submit quality translations requiring little or no revision;
  • Perform quality interpretation; and
  • Provide quality editing services in respect of the aforesaid Bank documents.
• Documents to be translated shall relate, but not limited to, project reports, policy and strategy documents, legal and research papers.
• For each assignment, the parties (translator, interpreter, editor and TCLS) shall agree on the duration, completion date and cost of the service to be provided; the costs shall be based on defined rates set by the Bank and taking into account international standards.
• The payment of consultants, continuation and subsequent renewal of contracts, shall be contingent upon satisfactory periodic and annual performance reviews.

The services to be provided under this assignment include:

• Translations of Bank documents to and from English and French primarily, and occasionally to and from Portuguese and Arabic
• Interpretation, during various Bank meetings and missions, into and from English and French primarily, and, occasionally, into and from Portuguese and Arabic; and
• Editing of flagship Bank documents and reports in English and French primarily, and occasionally in Portuguese and Arabic.

Administration / reporting:

• The consultants shall report to either the Translation or Interpretation Division Managers, the Director of the Department or any other TCLS officer that the Director might designate.
• The supervising officer shall be responsible for the periodic and annual assessment as well as guidance of the consultant.

Duration of the contract:

• The aforesaid framework contract to be signed with the Director of TCLS shall be for a duration of three (3) years, commencing from the date of signature of the contract.
• The contract shall be renewable by the TCLS Director for similar durations of three years or less, subject to satisfactory assessment of the performance of the consultant over the preceding contract period.

Qualifications and Experience Required

• Prospective consultants must be nationals of AfDB member countries and shall possess the following qualifications and skills, in keeping with the Bank’s procurement policies:
• At least a Master’s Degree, equivalent qualification or experience in Translation, Interpretation, editing or related and relevant disciplines;
• Relevant experience of at least five (5) years in translation, interpretation and editing, preferably in or with a development-finance institution or similar body
• Excellent writing and/or speaking skills in English and French, and/or in Portuguese and Arabic
• Ability to work reliably, independently and effectively, including under pressure, and to meet agreed deadlines
• Adequate knowledge of the core business, activities and operations of the African Development Bank
• Experience working for the African Development Bank and/or other development-finance institutions, national and international financial institutions and relevant national ministries and agencies.
• Computer literacy and familiarity with standard software as well as with computer- assisted translation (CAT) tools and similar software will be an added advantage
• Ability to work in a multicultural and multilingual environment; and
• Ability to work in a team and to communicate effectively.

Application Closing Date
15th March, 2023 (17:00 GMT).