Part Time Spanish Language Teacher

Result of Service

Part time teachers are expected to prepare and facilitate each lesson of assigned courses as scheduled, to correct assignments and homework in a timely manner, and to monitor their students’ progress and suggest useful learning strategies on a weekly basis. Part time teachers provide group and individual feedback, and administer, assess, and grade evaluation tasks, tests and exams as scheduled. Once an assigned course is finished and by the end of the language learning term, part time teachers must provide their students’ final evaluations and report on their students’ attendance. The yearly calendar and language learning terms dates are specified in the ST/Information Circular on Terms and Conditions of Service at the Language and Communications Training Unit at Headquarters.

Work Location

UNHQ-New York

Expected duration

Duration of contract should be limited to 9 work months in any period of 12 consecutive months, irrespective of the cumulative months of actual work. It should be linked to the language learning calendar and, specifically, to the length of courses and pedagogical activities assigned.

Duties and Responsibilities

Background and Objectives

The Language and Communications Training Unit (LCTU) at the Capacity Development and Operational Training Services (CDOTS), Office of Support Operations (OSO), Department of Operational Support (DOS), promotes linguistic balance and multilingualism within the Secretariat and improves the language abilities of staff, as mandated by the General Assembly in its resolutions 2480 B (XXIII), 43/224D and 50/11. To do so the LCTU offers language and communication skills courses in Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish to staff members at UN Headquarters in New York and also in the Global Secretariat.

A total of 20 language teachers, all of them staff members, are distributed across the six language programmes in the LCTU to actively work in the development and the assessment of language and communication skills offerings aligned with organizational goals and priorities, and according to General Assembly mandates, UN policies and instructions on learning, and the Secretary-General´s recommendations on multilingualism.

To attend the demand of language learning these language teachers are unable to cover, the LCTU needs to hire additional teachers as contractors on a part-time basis. The number of contractors to be hired varies depending on the demand. These teachers can also work on language projects, such as the update, design and development of language and communication skills courses and materials, as required.

Duties and Responsibilities

The duties of part-time language teachers are to promote multilingualism and to help staff develop more effective work-related communication skills in any of the six official languages. These duties include the following:

A. TEACHING AND ASSESSMENT

• Teaching Spanish general language courses (all levels, all skills) and specialized high-level communication skills courses to both native and non-native speakers, either face-to-face, online or in a blended format. Preparing classes and learning materials, in accordance with the curriculum established by the LCTU, as well as preparing and testing the devices and software required to support class delivery in any format.
• Correcting assignments/homework and providing individualized feedback and advice on students’ progress.
• Administering, assessing, and grading tests and exams, applying UN language standards. Providing group and individual feedback on student´s progress, as well as advice on ways to develop their linguistic skills.
• Carrying out the administrative duties directly related to their teaching, such as maintaining students’ attendance and grading records, and communicating with students as needed.

B. ENGAGING IN PEDAGOGICAL AND TRAINING ACTIVITIES

• Designing, developing and/or updating course curricula, materials and assessments (exams, continuous assessment tasks, etc.).
• Preparing, conducting and analyzing learning needs assessments.
• Preparing, conducting, and monitoring written and oral communications related to promote the LCTU activities among its clients
• Carrying out needs analyses and designing special-purpose courses to meet specific needs as requested
• Evaluating level of entrance of participants by administering and reviewing placement tests, and communicating results.
• Contributing to any other project related to language or communication skills training activities, including sharing knowledge of pedagogical and facilitation techniques.
• Attending meetings and participating in group work sessions.

Qualifications/special skills

Academic Qualifications: Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in language area studies, language teaching, applied linguistics, communication or education/pedagogy or related area is required. Degrees with special emphasis on the theory and practice of teaching a second or foreign language to adult learners are desirable.

A first-level university degree in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Post-degree training in second or foreign language teaching is highly desirable.

Experience: A minimum of five years of experience teaching Spanish as a foreign or second language to adults in a multi-cultural setting (corporate, academic or other professional setting), is required. Of these, at least three years of recent experience in curriculum development, language examination design, and/or language teacher training is required.

Experience using a variety of e-learning tools, learning management systems, online collaboration tools and social media platforms to teach a second or foreign language is desirable.

Experience at an international level in a multicultural environment is highly desirable.

Language: English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Expert level of competence in the language to be facilitated by the part-time teacher, Spanish, is required (oral and written). Knowledge of English is required. Knowledge of other UN official languages is an advantage.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.