Communications Officer (Interpreter/Translator)

Contract

This is a LICA Specialist-8 contract. This kind of contract is known as Local Individual Contractor Agreements. It is normally only for nationals. It's an external contract. It usually requires 0 years of experience, depending on education. More about LICA Specialist-8 contracts.

Background Information - PSC

Peace and Security Cluster

The UNOPS Peace and Security Cluster (PSC) is a principal service provider in the field of mine action with the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS), UNDP, UNICEF, Governments of mine-affected countries and other mine action partners. It is led by the Director, who has overall authority and accountability for the performance PSC on behalf of its clients. The Centre is responsible for administering and providing oversight of the day-to-day management of the Project Field offices, both according to the client requirements and in line with UNOPS rules and regulations.

Background Information - Job-specific

Background Information – UNMAS

The United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) was established in 1997. UNMAS leads, coordinates and implements mine action under United Nations legislative mandates of both the General Assembly and the Security Council. UNMAS supports the UN's vision of "a world free from the threat of mines,

explosive remnants of war (ERW) including cluster munitions, and improvised explosive devices (IEDs), where individuals and communities live in a safe environment conducive to sustainable peace and development where no one is left behind, where the human rights and the needs of victims are met and where they are fully integrated as equal members of their societies."

UNMAS is a unit within the Office of Rule of Law and Security Institutions (OROLSI) within the Department of Peace Operations (DPO). UNMAS operates under UN legislative mandates of both the General Assembly and the Security Council, or at the request of the UN Secretary-General or his designated official. When instructed by the Security Council or called upon by Member States, UNMAS deploys under humanitarian, peace and security mandates. UNMAS main headquarters is in the UN Secretariat, New York with a sub-office in Geneva. UNMAS provides direct support and assistance in the areas of explosive ordnance threat mitigation to 18 countries/territories/missions, has a standby rapid response capacity and global technical advisors in the field of Improvised Explosive Devices and Weapons and Ammunition Management. As an office within DPO, UNMAS supports peacekeeping and special political missions in accordance with Security Council mandates.

Background Information – UNMAS Iraq

The UNMAS Iraq programme was formally established in June 2015, at the request of the Special Representative of the Secretary General for Iraq, to lead the UN efforts to mitigate explosive threats in the country, as well as to support the enhancement of national and regional mine action capacities. UNMAS supports the Government of Iraq to protect civilians from the threat of explosive ordnance and enables humanitarian, stabilization and reconstruction, and socio-economic efforts. under the UNMAS Iraq Programme Strategy focusing on three main components: 1. Capacity Enhancement; 2. Risk Education, and 3. Explosive Hazard Management. UNMAS Iraq has offices in both Baghdad and Erbil.

Functional Responsibilities

Candidate with Non-UN experience are encouraged to apply! Qualified female candidates are encouraged to apply!

Under the direct supervision of the Communications Senior Officer - Translator, the incumbent will be responsible for the following assigned tasks:

Translation:

• Assist in producing timely, high quality, professional written English to Arabic and vice versa translation of official correspondences for UNMAS, counterparts, partners, and other relevant entities;
• Support in producing quality and professional written written English to Arabic and vice versa translation of technical and non-technical UNMAS documents, including but not limited to national mine action standards (NMAS), reports, proposals and briefings;
• Assist in producing quality, professional written translation from English-Arabic and Arabic-English of presentations for donor conferences, meetings, workshops and trainings;
• Support in providing simultaneous interpretation during operational field visits, donor visits, VIP visits, implementation sites visit, or any other field visits from English to Arabic and vice versa;
• Assist in providing simultaneous interpretation during meetings, training, workshops, conferences and other relevant activities and events.
• Provide administrative, coordination and operational support associated to the translation work when requested;
• Coordinate with UNMAS internal sections on translation matters when required;

Liaison and Support:

• Support in liaising with Governmental entities, mainly the Directorate of Mine Action (DMA), Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Defence, the National Operations Centre, Join Coordination and Monitoring Centre (NOC JMC) and other Government counterparts in order to support delivery of UNMAS Iraq objectives when assigned;
• Liaison in matters related to operations, access, movement, and coordination with UNMAS’ governmental and non-governmental partners in Iraq when assigned
• Work closely with the Iraqi Kurdistan Kurdistan Mine Action Agency (IKMAA) Liaison Officer in Erbil, UNMAS Translators and Interpreters to achieve set objectives that are consistent with UNMAS’s strategy in country and globally;
• Assist in the maintenance of documentation of decisions and correspondence and actions taken on liaison issues and keep electronic filing up to date when assigned
• Coordinate in the provision of logistical and substantive support for visits of Government/donors to UNMAS field sites and joint visits with Government to various locations around Iraq when assigned
• Assist in the preparation of agendas and supporting documentation for the CMAP meeting with Local Government Officials and other stakeholders when assigned

Communications/Correspondence:

• Assist the Senior Communications Officer/Translator in establishing and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders needed to disseminate information;
• Produce correspondence for Iraqi counterparts as instructed by supervisor when assigned
• Arrange meetings, workshops, and other events in partnership with UNMAS’ Government counterparts when assigned
• Draft talking points, briefing notes, summary notes and minutes when assigned
• Establishment/maintenance of all hard copy and electronic files, reference materials and confidential records as required, and evaluation of information for retention or disposal;
• Perform any other task assigned by the supervisor.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education - Advanced University Degree (Master’s Degree or equivalent) with a minimum of 0 years of relevant experience; or - First level University degree (Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent) with a minimum of 2 years of relevant experience is required;

Experience - Relevant experience is defined as experience in liaison, communication, translation, and Interpretation or relevant fields - Two years of experience in translation and interpretation from Arabic to English or vice versa is required; - Experience in copywriting and editing is required;

Language - Fluency in both English and Arabic (speaking, writing and reading) is required; - Knowledge of another UN official language is desired;

Competencies

Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles. Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries. Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements. Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving. Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Additional Considerations

• Candidate with Non-UN experience are encouraged to apply.
• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (around 4 hours) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS.
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns. Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: Local Individual Contractor Agreement (LICA)

Contract level: LICA-8 (ICS 8) Contract duration: Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance.

For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link: https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx

Background Information - UNOPS

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.

Working with us

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.

Diversity

With over 4,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.