FIELD LANGUAGE ASSISTANT

Contract

This is a G-6 contract. This kind of contract is known as General Service and related categories. It is normally only for nationals. It usually requires 6 years of experience, depending on education. More about G-6 contracts.

Org. Setting and Reporting The position is located in the Ceasefire Monitoring Component (CMC) of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL). The Field Language Assistant reports to Chief CMC through the Deputy Chief CMC. The Field Language Assistant is responsible for providing clear and concise verbal and written communication and interpretation from local language(s) to designated UN working language(s). Attention to details is crucial, along with understanding what is being communicated in both languages. The Field Language Assistant must be able to clearly express ideas and thoughts and reproduce statements in another language for unique listening or reading audience. The position is based in Tripoli, Libya (Tripoli is classified as a Hardship "E" duty station and a non-family duty station). This position is expected to be redeployed to Sirte, subject to certain conditions or when authorized by the Head of Mission, or the Chief of Mission Support (Sirte is classified as a Hardship "E" duty station and a non-family duty station).

On 28 October 2022, the Security Council, by its resolution 2656 (2022) extended the mandate of United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) until 31 October 2023, as set out in resolution 2542 (2020) and paragraph 16 of resolution 2570 (2021). The Security Council, in resolution 2542 (2020), tasked UNSMIL, as an integrated special political mission, in full accordance with the principles of national ownership, to exercise mediation and through its good offices to: (i) further an inclusive political process and security and economic dialogue; (ii) further the continued implementation of the Libya Political Agreement; (iii) help consolidate the governance, security and economic arrangements of the Government of Libya, including support for economic reform in collaboration with international financial institutions; (iv) help to achieve a ceasefire and, provide appropriate support to its implementation; (v) support subsequent phases of the Libyan transition process, including the constitutional process and the organisation of elections; (vi) coordinate and engage closely with international actors including neighboring countries and regional organisations; (vii) provide support to key Libyan institutions; (viii) support, on request, the provision of essential services and delivery of humanitarian assistance, including in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, in accordance with humanitarian principles; (ix) monitor and report abuses and violations of human rights and violations of international humanitarian law, including sexual violence in conflict, notably through the effective deployment of women and child protection advisers; (x) provide support in securing uncontrolled arms and related materiel and countering their proliferation; and (xi) co-ordinate international assistance, and provision of advice and assistance to Government-led efforts to stabilise post-conflict zones, including those liberated from Da'esh. The Security Council, through resolution 2570 (2021), tasked UNSMIL to provide support to the Libyan-led and Libyan-owned ceasefire monitoring mechanism including through the facilitation of confidence-building measures and the scalable and incremental deployment of UNSMIL ceasefire monitors.

Responsibilities Within delegated authority, the Field Language Assistant will be responsible for the following duties:

•Translates high level documents and communications from local language(s) to designated UN working language(s) and vice versa covering a broad range of subjects dealt with by the United Nations. •Liaises with counterparts in other sections on scheduling and administrative arrangements for the provision of language assistance. •Reviews and evaluates all jobs submitted by relevant departments for pre-translation referencing, determining relative complexity and priority. •Assists the Supervisor with the distribution of language assignments among other Language Assistants taking into consideration productivity, precision, skills, experience, deadlines, and availability of staff. •Keeps abreast of news in the Media and briefs Chiefs of Unit/Supervisor and other colleagues on relevant contents. •Provides interpretation (simultaneous and/or consecutive) for meetings when needed. For that purpose, the Field Language Assistant should keep abreast of the main documents concerning the CMC and follows its major developments. •Provides effective accurate and timely verbal and written reports using appropriate communications (radio, telephone, email, written/verbal reports, presentations among others). •Drafts routine correspondence for the Chief of Unit/Section. •Assists officers with preparing drafts, briefing notes and background information. •Files and retrieves office documents. •Performs other duties as required.

Competencies Professionalism: Ability to draft and translate materials on a wide range of topics. Knowledge of general vocabulary of a level and range appropriate to the content and the difficulty level of the text. Ability to use all sources of reference, consultation and information relevant to text at hand. Ability to maintain an adequate speed and volume of output, taking into account the difficulty of the text and the specified deadlines. 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; exercises a high degree of confidentiality, given the fact that the Field Language Assistant will attend meetings and translate documents of a sensitive nature; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of work.

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.

Technological Awareness: Keeps abreast of available technology. Understands applicability and limitations of technology to the work of the office. Actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks. Shows willingness to learn new technology.

Education High school diploma or equivalent is required. Studies and/or certificates obtained in Arabic language are desirable.

Work Experience A minimum of seven (7) years of work experience in providing translation/interpretation services is required.

Out of seven years, two (2) years of experience in English/Arabic translation and/or interpretation is required. ¿

Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English and Arabic is required. Working knowledge of the local language(s) to be able to interpret/translate into the designated working languages is required.

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

Special Notice This position is subject to local recruitment pursuant to staff rule 4.4 of the United Nations Staff Rules. Applicants for positions in the General Service and related categories must be authorized to work for the United Nations in the duty station where the position is located. Eligible applicants selected from outside the duty station are responsible for any expenses in connection with their relocation to the duty station. Staff members subject to local recruitment are not eligible for allowances or benefits exclusively applicable to international recruitment.

An appointment shall not be granted to a person who is the father, mother, son, daughter, brother, sister, stepchildren or step sibling of a staff member. This restriction applies to relationships within the United Nations Secretariat and not to those with the separately administered Agencies, Funds or Programmes.

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 these positions.

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.

The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side 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.