KNOWLEDGE AND INFORMATION SERVICES DIVISION

LANGUAGE PRACTITIONER – ENGLISH: REPORTING UNIT

We offer a market and industry competitive total to cost package.

Given its status as the legislative authority of South Africa, the Parliament of the Republic of South Africa is a premier institution. It is the only institution with the power to make laws for the country. Parliament is not just a building; it’s the heart of our democracy, where the country’s representatives gather to discuss important issues affecting the people, pass laws meant to promote the public good and promote accountability and transparency in governance. The two Houses that make Parliament, the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces, each with its distinct role and functions set out in the Constitution, work together to oversee the promotion of the constitutional values of human dignity, equality, non-racialism and non-sexism, human rights, and freedom.

JOB SUMMARY

As a Language Practitioner, you will be responsible for providing Hansard reporting, interpreting, and translation services to the two Houses of Parliament. Language services provide the mechanism to engage all citizens through the translation of Parliamentary documents and legislative Bills and the provision of interpreting services to the Houses and Committee proceedings during public hearings and Oversight visits, and by providing a record of parliamentary debates through Hansard reporting for the Houses of Parliament. Language Services contributes to the strategic goal of meaningful involvement and participation by citizens and all interested groups by ensuring the availability of all languages during Parliamentary proceedings, public hearings, Oversight visits and consultation processes, including feedback mechanisms for engagement with public interest groups, particularly the marginalised and vulnerable groups.

Your key responsibilities will be:

• Interpreting: Interpreting during Parliamentary House(s) plenaries, outreach programmes during Committee meetings, Committee public hearings and Oversight visits in the required format (simultaneous, consecutive or whisper).
• Hansard Reporting: Transcribing, editing and proof-reading of plenary sittings of the Houses of Parliament.
• Translation: Translating, editing, and proof-reading parliamentary documents, including Order Papers, Memorandum to Bills, Reports and Explanatory memoranda, and other Parliamentary documents.
• Indexing of Hansard debates
• Terminology Development

To qualify, you must have:

Relevant bachelor’s degree or related qualification in Languages with applicable majors at NQF Level 7 plus 2 years of language practitioner experience having performed translations, transcribing and interpreting services within a similar environment. THIS POST IS SUBJECT TO A SIX (6) MONTHS PROBATION PERIOD.

You must also demonstrate:

• High Proficiency in English and at least one other official language
• Good communication skills, verbal and written skills in English and other official language
• Computer literacy
• Excellent transcribing skills
• Industry standard transcribing speed and accuracy
• Simultaneous interpreting skills
• Translating, editing and proof-reading skills
• Knowledge and experience in the latest language technologies
• Good planning skills
• Interpersonal skills
• Time management skills
• Keen interest in current affairs
• Ability to work under pressure
• Meeting tight deadlines
• Expected to work beyond regular working hours
• Willingness to work longer hours when needed
• Required to travel for Parliamentary work across the country

Additional Information:

The nature of the environment requires a language practitioner to work unusual and flexible hours aligned to Parliament's needs, especially when it comes to the provision of interpreting services.

A Language Practitioner must:

• Work independently in executing the responsibilities of the job across all three business units, with a clear work schedule
• Work in a conducive work environment
• Be furnished with appropriate tools of trade in line with professional norms and standards
• Maintain good working relationships with Managers, supervisors and fellow employees
• Keep transparent and open communication for team effectiveness and adequate support to Houses and committees to ensure operational excellence and business continuity
• Maintain work-life balance for employee wellness

What you will experience working at Parliament:

In return for your hard work, we offer meaningful and engaging work. We are passionate about making a difference. Joining us means you will be tackling exciting challenges and working on innovative projects that positively impact the nation and the world. We are committed to recognising and rewarding your dedication and high performance. We are invested in your growth and development and offer numerous growth-promoting opportunities and resources, such as a bursary scheme and numerous learning and development opportunities. Our culture is collaborative and inclusive. We value teamwork and believe that together, we can achieve extraordinary results. When you join us, you will become part of a community driven by the need to serve the nation. Hard work is not all there is to us. Your well- being is important to us, and we promote work practices that enable a healthy work-life integration, supported by our hybrid work arrangements that combine in-office and remote work. Our wellness program, including various sporting codes, is designed to promote emotional and physical well-being. In addition to the above, we offer a highly competitive remuneration package.

About Us

Working at the Parliament of South Africa is a unique opportunity. No matter where you are placed in this premier institution, you will be part of a truly remarkable and exceptional team that serves the people of our great country and shapes the course of our nation's history every day. If promoting the public good is what drives you, if you are passionate about shaping a brighter future for the citizens of South Africa, and you are ready to be part of something extraordinary where you can shine and make a real impact on the people of our country, then Parliament is the place to be. We would like to hear from you if you are also a dynamic individual who values professionalism, openness, integrity, teamwork, accountability, responsiveness and mutual respect. Our doors are open, and we are inviting you to become a part of this incredible journey.

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