Okapi creates programmes in the Kanuri language for Radio Ndarason International (RNI) which broadcasts from Ndjamena, Chad to the entire Lake Chad basin region in Kanuri, Kanembu, Buduma and French on shortwave and FM, as well as via live-streaming. RNI, which is supported by Okapi Consulting, operates from studios in N’Djamena. The station provides a platform that allows for the free-flow of information throughout the Lake Chad basin, regardless of borders or physical barriers.
The regional radio network interacts with the estimated 10 million Kanuri/Kanembu speakers as well as those who speak Buduma and French in order to encourage a constructive dialogue for peace and progress in a region decimated by Boko Haram – other languages may follow. With progress comes stability and with stability the possibility of sustainability. In this part of the world, radio is the overwhelmingly dominant means of communication.
Position: Translator for Radio Station
Reports to: Country Director
Responsible for: None
Start date: September 2022
Term: Three months with possibility of extension
Based in: Maiduguri
Six hours of original content, produced in N’Djamena and Maiduguri, is broadcast daily to the entire region via shortwave, using a transmitter located on Ascension Island in the South Atlantic Ocean. This content is also rebroadcast along with additional original material from regional studios on the Chad- based FM network (Liwa, Bol and N’Djamena).
We are an innovative and rapidly growing organisation, working at the nexus between media and peacebuidling.
Find out more on our website; www.ndarason.com
We are looking for a talented, motivated and experienced translator to join our news and programmes team.
General Position Summary
The incumbent does translate all programmes, news reports and all other types of programmes, including but not limited to interviews, round tables, discussion programmes, vox pops, DDR programming, etc. S/he is aware of and accepts that the demands of radio production may often need flexibility and working outside normal office hours in order to meet deadlines or to deal with evolving situations. The Translator reports to the Country Director for all matters and must participate in regular meetings with them, as directed.
S/he is responsible for:
Essential Job Responsibilities:
- S/he produces high quality translation work, to the best of his/her ability and to agreed deadlines.
- The Translator translates Kanuri programme audio, and/or documents into written English or Hausa as directed by the Country Director, and agrees deadlines with him.
- Occasionally the Translator will translate other relevant reports, information, stories or dramas from Kanuri into English or Hausa, or from English or Hausa into Kanuri, as directed.
- Informs the Country Director and/or the Deputy Director immediately if there is a potential or actual problem of any kind, or if agreed deadlines are likely to be missed.
- S/he reports to the Country Director for all matters but must also liaise closely with Producers/Journalists/Presenters.
- Participates in regular meetings with the Country Director and / or others, as directed.
- Maintains a professional attitude throughout and is careful to maintain good relations with any and all staff, consultants and freelancers.
- Undertakes other tasks as necessary and / or as directed by the Country Director or by other Okapi directors.
Requirements
- Fluency in written and spoken Kanuri
- At least a diploma in Mass Communications, or equivalent experience
- Fluency in English
Required Skills Abilities and Experience
- Knowledge and understanding of Radio and digital platforms across Nigeria, and especially in the North East
- Innovative ideas and initiative to contribute to editorial strategies, planning and the development of the programme agenda
- Experience of stakeholder management and working collaboratively
- Fluent English is essential and fluency in language(s) spoken in North East NIgeria is an advantage
- Thorough knowledge of North East Nigeria news and the Lake Chad Basin current affairs
Core competencies:
Successful candidates are expected to demonstrate these competencies:
- Editorial Judgement – demonstrates balanced and objective judgement based on a thorough understanding of Okapi Net Foundation editorial guidelines, target audience, programme and department objectives.
- Communication – the ability to get one’s message understood clearly by adopting a range of styles, tools and techniques appropriate to the audience and the nature of the information.
- Managing relationships – able to build and maintain effective working relationships with a range of people.
- Imagination / Creative Thinking – is able to transform creative ideas/impulses into practical reality.
- Planning and Organisation – is able to think ahead in order to establish an efficient and appropriate course of action for yourself and others. Prioritises and plans activities taking into account all the relevant issues and factors such as deadlines, staffing and resources requirements.
- Resilience – can maintain personal effectiveness by managing own emotions in the face of pressure, setbacks or when dealing with provocative situations. Can demonstrate an approach to work that is characterised by commitment, motivation and energy.
Organizational Learning
As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities they serve, we expect all team members to commit a percentage of their time to learning activities that benefit Okapi Net Foundation as well as themselves.
Accountability to Beneficiaries
Okapi Net Foundation team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our radio listeners and to international standards guiding media and broadcasting work.
Professional conduct:
Maintaining a professional attitude throughout and is careful to maintain good relations with any and all staff, consultants and freelancers, as well as with NGOs, agencies and donors in Nigeria
Supervisory Responsibility: Journalists
Works Directly with: All staff, all heads of departments, Deputy Director and undertaking any other task as necessary and or directed by the project manager or by other Okapi directors.
Application Deadline: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
Suitable candidates should email a cover letter and CV to [email protected]
