Contracting services of the professional translators/interpreters (Only for Uzbekistan nationals)

Contract

This is a Consultancy contract. More about Consultancy contracts.

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

Background:

UNICEF Uzbekistan (UCO) operates in a multilingual environment. The use of English, Uzbek, Russian and sometimes Karakalpak languages in its activities is an essential element of both internal and external communication and ensures effective and increased participation of all partners and international staff members in joint activities, as well as greater effectiveness, better outcomes and more involvement. Besides, all key documents, reports, publications, and other information materials produced by the UNICEF Country Office should be made available in these main languages for dissemination among local and international audiences to ensure that UNICEF mission, its goals and actions in the country are known and understood by the public. Similarly, all key documents and strategic papers should be available in English to inform programme implementation and upstream work.

In this context and given the scope of the work, UNICEF Uzbekistan requires continuous services of translators/interpreters proficient in English, Uzbek, Russian and Karakalpak languages.

Purpose:

The purpose of these Terms of Reference is to expand the existing UCO roster of translators/interpreters via contracting additional qualified professionals to further support implementation of the joint GOU-UNICEF Programme of Cooperation for 2021-2025, by providing translation and interpretation services. The contractors will provide services to the management, Programme and Operations Sections.

Objectives:

The contractors will be expected to perform the following tasks:

• Provide timely and professional quality translations of UNICEF documents, reports, publications and other information materials on different subjects from English into Uzbek/Russian/Karakalpak languages and vice-versa; ensure content accuracy and proofreading so that there are no omissions from the source and/or typographical errors;
• Provide consistently accurate and high-quality interpretation (consecutive, simultaneous) from English into Uzbek and/or Russian and/or Karakalpak languages and vice versa at conferences, workshops and other public events held/supported by UNICEF, as well as during field trips and high level meetings with counterparts;
• Adhere to the established standards of translation/interpretation in order to deliver consistent and coherent translation/interpretation services throughout the duration of the contract.

Methodology:

The contractors will be expected to use UNICEF Style Manual and UN terminology online database to perform tasks described in the TOR.

Timeline & Deliverables:

The contractors will be engaged on a long term retainer basis and will provide services as deemed necessary by UNICEF Uzbekistan Country Office. The contracts will be signed for the period of 01 March 2021 – 31 December 2021, with the potential extension as per UCO rules and regulations.

Deliverables include timely and accurate translations of a wide range of documents; and provision of consecutive or simultaneous interpretation during various meeting and events.

Management:

Contractors will be briefed on details of each assignment by UNICEF.

Resource requirements:

Contractors will be paid according to UN specified rates at the time of the completion of the work. It should be noted UNICEF will review the proposed rates against established rates, taking into account the current practices of other international organizations operating in the country.

For each assignment specification of output and costing will be agreed upon prior to commencement of work. Respective UNICEF staff members will certify work and make payments according to invoices submitted to the Sections.

Each contractor’s assignment will be considered completed and fee for his/her services rendered only after approval of the quality of products by the relevant UNICEF Supervisor.

All payments will be made in local currency (UZS) via bank transfer to the Consultant’s account. Should the contract be signed with denomination of fees in US dollars, the settlement will be according to the UN Operational Rate of Exchange in the month of payment.

Required qualifications and areas of expertise:

Competencies:

• Proven ability to consistently deliver high-quality translation/interpretation in English, Uzbek, and/or Russian, and/or Karakalpak languages to be confirmed through the written exam and reference check;
• Ability to pursue high standards of work effectively with minimum supervision to be confirmed through the reference check;
• High level of cultural, gender, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability to be confirmed through the reference check;
• Excellent communication skills with ability to speak and write clearly and concisely to be confirmed through the written exam and reference check;
• Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines to be confirmed through the reference check.

Education/Experience/Language:

• University degree in English/Uzbek Linguistics and/or Literature and Journalism, or an accredited qualification in translation and interpretation;
• At least three years of proven experience in the field of translation/interpretation. Previous experience with the UN and other international agencies is an asset;
• Professional Certificates (IELTS or TOEFL) is desirable.
• Excellent knowledge of and fluency in English, Uzbek and/or Russian, and/or Karakalpak (both verbal and written);
• Computer literacy, especially good knowledge of Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint);
• Familiarity with social issues terminology, with strong focus on/specialization in a particular subject (i.e. law, economics, health, public administration, education, etc.);
• Appropriate work samples and references is a requirement.

Procedures and Working Conditions

Provision of translation/interpretation services in different locations throughout Uzbekistan where joint GOU-UNICEF projects are being implemented may be required. Travel expenses will be covered by UNICEF Uzbekistan CO according to UNICEF rules and regulations.

UNICEF undertakes no liability for taxes, duty or other contribution payable by the consultant on payments made under this contract.

Selected candidates can be put on the roster for other UN agencies, to be used for assignments of respective agencies.

Reservations

UNICEF reserves the right to withhold all or a portion of payment if performance is unsatisfactory, if deliverable(s) incomplete, not finalized or for failure to meet deadlines. UNICEF will reserve copy right of all developed materials and own primary data collected through this assignment. The materials cannot be published or disseminated without prior written permission of UNICEF. UNICEF will be free to adapt and modify them in the future. The contractor must respect the confidentiality of the information handled during the assignment. Documents and information provided must be used only for the tasks related to these terms of reference.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

Remarks:

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.