Open to opportunities

Carla Selyer

@carlaselyer

Experienced multilingual translator and localization specialist delivering accurate, industry-focused language services.

South Africa

Message

What I'm looking for

I seek freelance or contract roles in translation, MTPE, localisation or transcription where I can apply tool expertise, domain knowledge and quality-focused workflows.

I am a multilingual language services professional with extensive experience in translation, post-editing, transcription and localisation across French, Portuguese, Spanish and English. I transitioned from part-time freelance work (1989–2016) to full-time freelance since 2016, supporting international agencies, NGOs and private clients.

My core strengths include CAT-tool proficiency (Trados, Memsource/Phrase, XTM, Wordbee, MemoQ), MTPE, post-AI editing of subtitles and transcriptions, and coding survey responses using Ascribe. I specialise in business, medical, pharmacovigilance, legal, technical, ICT, engineering, finance and marketing terminology.

I have supported clients such as RWS/SDL, LanguageConnect, Caliba Group, LobsterInk and multiple US, UK and South African agencies on ongoing projects including pharmacovigilance reporting, medical reports, localisation and large-scale proofreading assignments. Recent deliverables include multi-hour transcription projects, MTPE for medical adverse-event reporting and large proofreading jobs up to 185,000 words.

I hold an MBA and a BA (Hons) in French & Portuguese, relevant professional diplomas and certifications, and I am an active member of professional translator associations. I seek assignments where my technical accuracy, cultural fluency and tool expertise add measurable value to clients' multilingual content workflows.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

Freelance Translator

Current

Freelance

Jan 1989 - Present (36 years 11 months)

Provide translation, MT post-editing, transcription and post-AI subtitle editing across French, Portuguese, Spanish and English for international clients, delivering large-volume projects (e.g., 185,000-word brochure, 150,000 words of books) and ongoing pharmacovigilance MTPE.

Translation Transcription Phrase Subtitling (Aegis)Ascribe Coding Quality Assurance

Operations Manager

PeaceParks Foundation

Jan 2016 - Aug 2016 (7 months)

Managed operations for PeaceParks Foundation, overseeing program logistics and administrative functions during a transitional 8-month tenure to support conservation projects.

Operations Management Program Coordination Logistics Stakeholder Engagement Administration Reporting Budgeting Project Support

Operations Manager

Food & Agriculture Organization

Dec 2012 - Dec 2015 (3 years)

Managed operations for FAO Southern Africa, leading administrative and financial functions across regional programs from 2012 to 2015 to support food security initiatives.

Operations Management Administration Finance HR Program Support Reporting Procurement

Information Management Officer

World Food Programme

Apr 2015 - May 2015 (1 month)

Provided information management support during a temporary deployment in Iraq, coordinating data and reporting for emergency food security operations.

Information Management Data Reporting Coordination GIS Familiarity

Senior Programme Assistant

Food & Agriculture Organization

Jun 2009 - Dec 2012 (3 years 6 months)

Supported administration and finance for FAO Southern Africa programs, managing budgets, procurement and program logistics from 2009 to 2012.

Administration Finance Procurement Program Support Budget Management Reporting

Administrator

Bourse Africa Limited

Apr 2008 - Jun 2009 (1 year 2 months)

Handled administrative duties for Bourse Africa Limited, overseeing office operations and supporting business activities from 2008 to 2009.

Administration Office Management Scheduling Record keeping client support

PA & Office Technology Coordinator

Food & Agriculture Organization

Nov 2001 - Apr 2008 (6 years 5 months)

Served as Personal Assistant to the Sub-Regional Coordinator and Office Technology Coordinator, managing executive support and office IT processes from 2001 to 2008.

Executive Support Coordination Scheduling Document Management

Researcher & Translator

Japanese Embassy

Dec 1999 - Oct 2001 (1 year 10 months)

Conducted research and translation tasks for the Japanese Embassy, producing bilingual documents and translations in French, Portuguese and English between 1999 and 2001.

Research Translation Bilingualism document preparation Cultural Liaison Proofreading Administrative Support

Senior Bilingual Secretary

Delegation of the European Commission

May 1999 - Dec 1999 (7 months)

Provided senior bilingual secretarial support to the Head of Delegation, managing correspondence and translations during a six-month contract in 1999.

Bilingual Secretarial Work Translation Office Administration Scheduling Meeting Support Confidentiality

Bilingual Secretary/Translator

Japanese Embassy

Jun 1990 - Jun 1999 (9 years)

Performed bilingual secretarial and translation duties at the Japanese Embassy from 1990 to 1999, supporting diplomatic and commercial documentation.

Translation Bilingualism Administrative Coordination Proofreading

Bilingual Secretary

Overseas Business Corporation

Aug 1989 - Jun 1990 (10 months)

Provided bilingual secretarial support for the commercial section of the Angolan Embassy from 1989 to 1990, managing correspondence and administrative tasks.

Bilingualism Scheduling Record keeping

Regional Bilingual Coordinator

IMBISA

Mar 1989 - Aug 1989 (5 months)

Coordinated regional bilingual secretarial functions for IMBISA during a short-term engagement in 1989 supporting meeting logistics and documentation.

Coordination Bilingual Support Documentation Administrative Support