Global Voices is seeking a Project Manager for Translation Exchange · Global Voices
Ivan Sigal

Global Voices is launching a new project! We're seeking a half-time project manager.
The project: Global Voices is launching a project to research, design, and build a translation exchange to facilitate the flow of information globally, with an emphasis on developing world, citizen media, and ethnic media content. The project seeks to match translation resources to the needs of media partners, for the purpose of facilitating the flow of news across multiple languages, and from local to global news contexts.
The goal of the project is to facilitate flows of news and information across multiple languages to support the polyglot Internet – read this post by Global Voices co-founder Ethan Zuckerman for background. The specific objectives are to research and develop a translation exchange mechanism to match supply and demand of translated news and information, and to pioneer a new mechanism for distributed translation of content and repurposing across a network of sites.
The Lingua translation exchange project will initially be a one-year initiative to identify opportunities and challenges, convene partners and interested parties, and determine feasibility. A second stage, to design a model for the exchange, and oversee its creation, may also occur in year one.
The job: The program manager for the Lingua Exchange initiative will manage the project, from inception to completion, including the following:
-oversee research on translation memory tools and work with the GV translation community to explore how to integrate these tools into GV projects.
-oversee research on technical, editorial, legal, and marketplace challenges of setting up a translation exchange for Global Voices and partners, as well as for a broader community.
-work closely with technical staff to identify technical solutions and challenges to integrate or link a translation exchange into existing Global Voices initiatives.
-manage collaboration with interested partners and the online translation community; represent this project and Global Voices at relevant forums.
-set up and work with an advisory board, members of which will include interested organizations and experts in translation communities.
-manage the workflow and communications with GV staff and community, and organize and run any meetings and work outputs that further the goals of this project.
-track the work flow against the stated goals of the project.
As Global Voices is a virtual organization, the project manager will not be expected to relocate. However, he or she needs regular access to high-speed internet connectivity and will be expected to travel. Salary and other compensation will depend on the candidate’s experience. Start date: as soon as possible.
Our ideal candidate will:
-have a combination of relevant expertise in online media, translation, and project management.
-have the ability to work independently, in an unstructured work environment, and to work with a virtual community.
-be computer literate, comfortable working with programmers and technical language. Programming/HTML knowledge not required but strong familiarity with the use of online social media tools (blogging platforms, aggregators, use of RSS feeds, and tagging) is important.
-speak and write English fluently, and be highly proficient in at least one other language; polyglot speakers highly desirable!
Interested candidates please send CV and Letter of Interest explaining why you'd be a good candidate for the job to: editor AT globalvoicesonline DOT org.
Update (June 18, 2009): Applications for this position are now closed.