Field Interpreter (Arabic Field Interpreter)

Contract

This is a FS-4 contract. This kind of contract is known as Field Service. It usually requires 6 years of experience, depending on education. More about FS-4 contracts and their salaries.

Org. Setting and Reporting

The position is located in the office of the Deputy Head of Mission within the United Nations Mission to Support the Hudaydah Agreement (UNMHA). The incumbent will be based in Hodeidah, Yemen and will report to the Deputy Head of Mission.

Following the Stockholm Agreement, reached in Sweden on 13 December 2018, between the Government of Yemen and the Houthis under the auspices of the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen, the Security Council in its resolution 2451 authorized the Secretary-General to deploy an advance team to support the immediate implementation of the Hudaydah governorate-wide ceasefire and a mutual redeployment of forces from the city of Hudaydah and the ports of Hudaydah, Salif and Ras Isa (Hudaydah Agreement). The Security Council also mandated the United Nations to chair the Redeployment Coordination Committee (RCC) established to oversee the ceasefire and the redeployment of forces.

On 16 January 2019, the Security Council unanimously adopted resolution 2452 authorizing the establishment of a new Special Political Mission, the United Nations Mission to support the Hudaydah Agreement (UNMHA). The Mission brings together a variety of personnel, including military, police and civilian staff, from around the world to deliver on its mandate, with a focus on providing support to the functioning of the RCC and related mechanisms as part of monitoring the ceasefire.

Since its establishment, UNMHA has maintained dialogue between the Yemeni parties and continues to explore different ways to keep momentum towards the full implementation of the Hudaydah Agreement and related Security Council resolutions. Through sustained engagement, the Mission has supported the parties to finalize agreements on the technical details of a phased redeployment of forces and demilitarization of the ports of Hudaydah, Salif and Ras Isa, which provide a critical commercial and humanitarian artery sustaining the lives of millions in Yemen.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the incumbent will be responsible for the following:

• Provides simultaneous and consecutive interpretation in local language to English and vice versa, at official meetings and conferences as assigned by supervisor.
• Assist in translating documents covering different thematic areas from Arabic to English and vice versa with a high standard of accuracy and fidelity to the meaning of the original text and forward the final product to the supervisor.
• Uses dictionaries and glossaries for reference and assists with the application of computer assisted translation.
• Facilitates communication for people with limited English proficiency.
• When requested takes the minutes of meetings for distribution of designated officials.
• Accompanies foreign visitors and facilitates communication between the receiving party and the visitors.
• When needed, and as assigned by supervisor, assist other sections in translating documents.
• Follows social media coverage of relevant issues, and translates content as required.
• Performs other duties as required / assigned.

Competencies

Professionalism: Ability to demonstrate a high level of concentration and accuracy. Ability to work under continuous stress and deliver clear interpretation on an exceedingly broad range of subjects. 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.

Planning & Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; Identifies priority activities and assignments; Adjusts priorities as required; Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; Uses time efficiently.

Education

High school diploma is required. Certificate or diploma in foreign languages or equivalent, with an emphasis on Translation/ Interpretation is desirable.

Job - Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of five years of progressively responsible relevant experience in English and Arabic translation and interpretation is required.

At least two years of work experience in these fields within the United Nations or comparable international organizations is desirable

.Experience working in the Middle East is required.

Experience working in a UN Special Political Mission is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English and Arabic (both oral and written) is required.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

Applicants, who successfully go through a competitive recruitment process and are recommended for selection and/or inclusion in the roster of pre-approved candidates for subsequent job openings at the same level and with similar functions, may have their application information and roster status shared with other UN Organizations. Such applicants may be contacted by other UN Organizations for similar job openings, subject to the confirmation of their interest. Placement on the roster is no guarantee of a future selection.

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.

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.