Manager, Translations and Interpretation

Summary 

World Scouting is seeking a dedicated Manager, Translation and Interpretation to manage the day-to-day translation, interpretation, and communications support with a focus on the French language. The Manager is a key member of the Communications and Digital Practice Team reporting to the Manager, Communications and Marketing based in the Malaysia Support Centre and working closely with Regional communications colleagues and volunteers. 

The work supports the delivery of the World Triennial Plan, World and Regional Scout events, and the needs across the seven World Scout Bureau Support Centres. This position also ensures the operational coordination of translation across WOSM’s four official and working languages (English, French, Spanish, and Arabic) leveraging a pool of staff, volunteers who are part of the WOSM Languages Team, and external translation suppliers.

Responsibilities

• Support the World Scout Bureau’s internal French translation services throughout World Scouting’s different communication channels (website, app, circulars, articles, social media channels, etc.).

• Support production of digital content for websites, blogs, e-newsletters, social media, e-learning courses, annual reports, online publications, and email marketing campaigns.

• Coordinate World Scouting’s translation processes to the organisation’s four official and working languages (English, French, Arabic, and Spanish) on an operational level.

  • Ensure a clear pipeline and priority system for incoming translation requests.

  • Manage a team of staff, volunteers, and external suppliers, including continuous recruitment and training, to respond to the translation and interpretation needs of the organisation.

  • Ensure that World Scouting’s linguistic resources across the four languages are kept up to date.

• Manage and coordinate the translation and interpretation sub-team for World Scout events, including JOTA-JOTI, World Scout Conference, and World Scout Education Congress before, during and, after the events.

• Contribute to the overall work of the World Scout Bureau by playing an active role as a member of the Communications and Digital Practice Team.

• Work closely with colleagues in Regional Support Centres to effectively manage the translation and interpretation pipeline.

• Undertake other support tasks as agreed with the Manager, Communications and Marketing as required.

• Set up and manage translation and interpretation tools that can support the needs and responsibilities of the translation and interpretation team, including at Scout events, for example computer-assisted translation, machine translation and interpretation platforms.

Experience, Skills and Qualifications 

• Fluent in French and English is required, literacy in any other World Scouting languages (Arabic, Spanish) is considered a strong asset.

• Graduate degree in communications, translations or interpretation, digital marketing, public relations, journalism, or equivalent experience.

• Experience working with languages and translation services required.

• Experience in an international and multi-cultural environment is desirable.

• Scouting experience on a national or international level is desirable.

• Experience working with teams of volunteers

• Ability to interpret simultaneously

• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a multicultural, fast-paced environment.

• Passion for youth development and familiarity with Scouting’s mission and values is an advantage.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and other collaboration tools (Dropbox, Notion, Slack).

• Strong digital literacy with knowledge of Microsoft Office suite, computer-assisted translation tools (SmartCat) and Internet in a business environment (online collaborative tools, management of social media).

• Ability to support services related to the translation of key documents and materials into WOSM’s official and working languages.

• Basic knowledge working with Content Management Systems or content publishing is considered a strong asset.

• Institutional knowledge of Scouting or other related non-profit organisation is an added advantage.

Personal Qualities

• Strong work ethic and values-driven

  • Self-motivated, proactive, and solutions-oriented.

  • Proven capability of working with and safeguarding of confidential information.

  • Interested in working for a mission-oriented organisation, demonstrating honesty, integrity, and strong ethics in all actions and decisions.

• Communications skills 

  • Strong communicator, in both written and verbal forms, with effective inter-personal skills.

  • Strong attention to detail with excellent translation, editing and proofreading skills.

  • Excellent communication skills and attention to detail.

• Team player 

  • Able to work collaboratively in a culturally diverse worldwide team of staff and volunteers.

  • Fosters a positive and supportive work environment while balancing the needs of the team and the organisation in a open-minded and approachable way

• Solutions-oriented 

  • Positive and focused when facing deadlines or multiple tasks

  • Approaching challenges with a collaborative and solution-oriented mindset

  • Ability to work effectively under pressure and to handle multiple deadlines.

• Adaptable and flexible 

  • Comfortable with change, able to pivot priorities as needed.

  • Flexible and adaptive writing style for a variety of audiences and mediums.

• Willingness to travel 

  • Open to occasional international travel and availability to work evenings and weekends as required.

• Strong work ethic and values-driven

  • Self-motivated, proactive, and solutions-oriented.

  • Proven capability of working with and safeguarding of confidential information.

  • Interested in working for a mission-oriented organisation, demonstrating honesty, integrity, and strong ethics in all actions and decisions.

• Communications skills 

  • Strong communicator, in both written and verbal forms, with effective inter-personal skills.

  • Strong attention to detail with excellent translation, editing and proofreading skills.

  • Excellent communication skills and attention to detail.

• Team player 

  • Able to work collaboratively in a culturally diverse worldwide team of staff and volunteers.

  • Fosters a positive and supportive work environment while balancing the needs of the team and the organisation in a open-minded and approachable way

• Solutions-oriented 

  • Positive and focused when facing deadlines or multiple tasks

  • Approaching challenges with a collaborative and solution-oriented mindset

  • Ability to work effectively under pressure and to handle multiple deadlines.

• Adaptable and flexible 

  • Comfortable with change, able to pivot priorities as needed.

  • Flexible and adaptive writing style for a variety of audiences and mediums.

• Willingness to travel 

  • Open to occasional international travel and availability to work evenings and weekends as required.

Terms and Conditions

The World Scout Bureau offers a range of tangible and intangible working benefits in compliance with the practice and laws of the respective Support Center in the country where the position is based. This is a full-time position with a contract of three years with an option to extend the contract subject to agreement by both parties.

• The salary paid on a monthly basis will be appropriate to the seniority of the role.

• The position is based in the World Scout Bureau’s European or Africa Support Centres - or the potential to work remotely in Europe.

• Contractual hours of work are a minimum of 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday. 

• Some travel and evening and weekend work may be required on occasion.

• Annual leave and public holiday entitlement as per the law in the country where the position is based and the World Scout Bureau Leave Policy.

The confirmation of appointment will be subject to:

• Background check, including verification of criminal record and relevant qualifications.

• Satisfactory completion of the probation period (three months).

How to Apply

Applications should be submitted using the online system before 23:59 (UTC +8) on Friday, 27 June 2025 and should include:

1. A curriculum vitae with full details of education and career history.

2. A cover letter outlining the candidate’s suitability for the role, related skills, knowledge and experience to the requirements of the job description. Candidate’s particular interest and motivation in applying for this role with World Scouting should also be outlined.

3. Contact information of at least three people who can provide employment references.

Applications should be submitted using the online application form. Ideally, the Manager, Translation and Interpretation will start as soon as possible.

The World Scout Bureau (WSB) is an equal opportunity employer and strongly believes in and practices diversity, equity and inclusion. We are committed to creating an inclusive and diverse work environment where all qualified candidates will receive equal consideration in applying for job opportunities and subsequent career advancement. Our employment practices are open to everyone, regardless of race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, or other protected characteristics. We believe that fostering an inclusive culture and embracing diverse perspectives strengthens innovation and growth within WSB. We encourage people of all backgrounds, including those from underrepresented communities, to apply for the job opportunities created and announced by WSB.