About the Role
The Department of Health is seeking a dedicated Language Practitioner in Sign Language at its Head Office in Johannesburg. This vital role contributes significantly to the accessibility of information and services for the deaf and hard-of-hearing community in South Africa. By facilitating communication during official sessions and developing language awareness campaigns, you will play a crucial role in promoting inclusivity and understanding within public service. Your work will not only enhance the effectiveness of communication but also foster a sense of belonging for individuals who might otherwise feel marginalized.
In this collaborative environment, you will engage with a diverse range of stakeholders, conducting research, providing professional advice, and supporting both interpreters and clients. This position is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact on society while advancing your professional skills in language development and interpretation. The role is tailored for individuals who are passionate about language and its power to bridge gaps in communication, especially in a vibrant city like Johannesburg.
About the Department
The Department of Health is committed to delivering high-quality health services to all South Africans, ensuring health equity and accessibility. It focuses on promoting public health, preventing disease, and providing comprehensive healthcare services across the country. Working in this department means being part of a mission-driven team that values the health and wellbeing of communities, making a genuine difference in people’s lives every day.
What You’ll Do
- Interpret during official sessions to ensure effective communication.
- Prepare and conduct research relevant to topics and audiences.
- Provide both simultaneous and consecutive interpreting services.
- Edit documents and submit them for quality assurance.
- Discuss and implement suggested changes from supervisors.
- Record new terminology and language challenges with proposed solutions.
- Conduct research and offer support to interpreters and clients.
- Participate in the development and execution of language awareness campaigns.
- Create and maintain sign language databases to track developments and resources.
- Facilitate literature writing workshops and competitions.
- Establish and support reading and debating clubs.
- Mentor emerging writers and connect them with publishers.
- Develop and maintain a database concerning language issues and programmes.
- Provide administrative and technical support for language initiatives.
- Monitor the implementation of approved sign language programmes.
What You’ll Need
- A Grade 12 certificate.
- A three-year tertiary qualification (NQF Level 6/7) in Languages or a related field, with one relevant language as a major.
- A minimum of three years of experience in language development programs and/or translations is preferred.
- Knowledge of PFMA, legislation, and relevant prescripts.
- Strong skills in research, administration, planning, and organization.
- Proficiency in problem-solving, editing, facilitation, and interpersonal communication.
- Analytical thinking and project management abilities.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Computer literacy and the ability to manage budgets and conflicts.
Please follow the application instructions below.
Requirements
The successful candidate should have a Grade 12 Certificate.A 3-year tertiary qualification (NQF Level 6/7) in Languages or equivalent qualification with one of the relevant languages as major subject.
A minimum of 3 Years’ Experience.
An experience in language Development programs and Translations will be an added advantage.
PFMA, Legislation, prescript, Skills: Research, Administration, planning and organization, problem solving, formulating and editing, facilitation, interpersonal relationship.
Analytical thinking, Maintain discipline, project management, reporting, Policy development and analysis, supervising, budgeting, financial management, conflict management, verbal and written communication and leadership and computer literacy.
Job Duties
Interpreting during official sessions.Prepare and conduct research on the topic and the type of audience.
Provide simultaneous and consecutive interpreting.
Edit document.
Submit edited documents to the supervisor for quality assurance.
Discuss and effect changes proposed by supervisor.
Record new terminology/ language problems with possible solutions for future reference.
Record and file edited documents.
Conduct research and provide professional advice and support to interpreters and clients.
Participate in the development of language awareness campaigns.
Undertake language awareness campaigns.
Develop, populate and maintain sign language databases.
Undertake research on new sign language developments.
Coordinate and conduct literature writing workshops.
Facilitate literature writing competitions.
Establish and support reading and debating clubs.
Provide guidance to budding (emerging) writers and act as a link between the writers and publishers.
Editing documents of newly coined terms.
Develop and maintain database on projects and programmes with regard language issues.
Provide administrative and technical support regarding language programmes.
Monitoring the implementation of approved sign language programmes.
