ASSOCIATE INTERPRETER, ENGLISH

Overview

Provide interpretation services during meetings and assist in translation tasks.

You have:

• An advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent degree) in languages, social sciences, law or related fields is required.
• A minimum of two (2) years of experience interpreting and translating from the Myanmar language (Burmese) into English, and vice versa, is required.
• Experience interpreting or translating from another language used in Myanmar (such as Chin, Kachin, Rakhine, Rohingya and Shan) into English, and vice versa, is desirable.
• Experience translating legal documents is desirable.
• Experience providing interpretation or translation services in support of criminal investigations is desirable.
• English and Burmese are required.
• Either Kachin, Rakhine, Haka-Chin, Rohingya, or Shan is desirable.

Contract

This is a P-2 contract. This kind of contract is known as Professional and Director staff. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's a staff contract. It usually requires 2 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 107,711 USD and 146,298 USD.

Please keep in mind that the salary displayed here is an estimation by UN Talent based on the location and the type of contract. It may vary depending on the organization. The recruiter should be able to inform you about the exact salary range. In case the job description contains another salary information, please refer to this one.

Org. Setting and Reporting

The Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar ("Mechanism") was established by the Human Rights Council in its resolution 39/2, adopted on 27 September 2018, to investigate serious international crimes (i.e., crimes against humanity, war crimes and genocide) and other violations of international law. The creation of the Mechanism was welcomed by the General Assembly in its resolution 73/264, adopted on 22 December 2018. This position is located in the Language Support Services Section, based in Geneva, Switzerland. The Associate Interpreter will report to the Editor in the Language Support Services Section.

Responsibilities

• Under the guidance of the supervisor, provides interpretation services during the Mechanism's internal and external meetings. - Assists when not assigned to interpretation in producing accurate translations and/or transcription of written and/or oral witness statements, media articles, public outreach materials and other documents from the Myanmar language (Burmese) and/or other languages used in Myanmar (such as Chin, Kachin, Rakhine, Rohingya and Shan) into English, and vice versa as required by the Mechanism. - Attends meetings as part of a team, takes notes either directly from statements made in the languages of competence or from the interpretation and subsequently uses the notes to produce draft records, subject to revision. - Consults and coordinates with associate translators, revisers, editors, analysts, investigators, legal officers and supervisors within the work unit, to assure conformity and consistency with UN practices and internal protocols. - Contributes to matters concerning interpretation/translation policy and practice and consults with relevant sections to clarify ambiguities and rectify substantive errors. - Performs such other duties as may be directed by the supervisor and the Head/ Deputy Head of the Mechanism.

Competencies

PROFESSIONALISM: Good knowledge of interpretation rules and procedures and practices, including ability to grasp the meaning of concepts and terminology and to provide rapid, accurate and idiomatically-correct interpretation services. Knowledge of language services workflow (interpretation, translation, editing, proofreading). Knowledge of translation memory software and ability to work with ZawGyi and Unicode fonts. Ability to apply judgment, maintain confidentiality and be flexible. Ability to spot errors and inconsistencies in a text. Ability to demonstrate a high level of concentration and attention to detail. Shows pride in work and in achievements. Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter. Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results. Is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns. Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. COMMUNICATION: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. TEAMWORK: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others' ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

Education

An advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent degree) from a university or institution of equivalent status in languages, social sciences, law or other related fields is required. A first-level degree in one of these fields in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may also be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Job - Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of two (2) years of experience interpreting and translating from the Myanmar language (Burmese) into English, and vice versa, is required. Experience interpreting and/or translating from another language used in Myanmar (such as Chin, Kachin, Rakhine, Rohingya and Shan) into English, and vice versa, is desirable. Experience translating legal documents is desirable. Experience providing interpretation or translation services in support of criminal investigations is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English and Burmese are required. Either Kachin or Rakhine or Haka-Chin or Rohingya or Shan is desirable. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult https://languages.un.org for details).

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LanguageReadingWritingListeningSpeakingEnglishUN Level IIUN Level IIUN Level IIUN Level IIBurmeseUN Level IIUN Level IIUN Level IIUN Level II

Desirable Languages

LanguageReadingWritingListeningSpeakingKachinUN Level IUN Level IUN Level IUN Level IRakhineUN Level IUN Level IUN Level IUN Level IHaka-ChinUN Level IUN Level IUN Level IUN Level IRohingyaUN Level IUN Level IUN Level IUN Level IShanUN Level IUN Level IUN Level IUN Level I

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice

• This extra-budgetary funded position is temporarily available up to 31 December 2026. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment. - The appointment or assignment and renewal thereof are subject to the availability of the post or funds, budgetary approval or extension of the mandate. - While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post. - Subject to the funding source of the position, the eligibility for this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station. - This temporary job opening may be limited to "internal candidates," who have been recruited through a competitive examination administered according to staff rule 4.16 or staff selection process including the review of a central review body established according to staff rule 4.15. - Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply. Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation. - Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as "retirement." Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless (a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service. - Pursuant to section 7.11 of ST/AI/2012/2/Rev.1, candidates recruited through the young professionals programme who have not served for a minimum of two years in the position of their initial assignment are not eligible to apply to this position. - At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities.

United Nations Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. All external candidates recruited in accordance with section ‎2.2 (a) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment without limitation and all external candidates recruited in accordance with section 2.2. (c) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment limited to the entity are subject to an initial probationary period of one year under a fixed-term appointment. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

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.

Potential interview questions