Field Language Assistant

Contract

This is a G-5 contract. This kind of contract is known as General Service and related categories. It is normally only for nationals. It usually requires 5 years of experience, depending on education. More about G-5 contracts.

Org. Setting and Reporting

On 29 May 1948, the United Nations Security Council, in its resolution 50 (1948) called for a cessation of hostilities in Palestine and established the first peacekeeping mission headed by a UN Mediator with the assistance of a group of military observers to be known as the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO). UNTSO is mandated to observe and maintain the unconditional ceasefires and assist the parties to the 1949 Armistice Agreements in the supervision of the application and observance of the terms of those Agreements. UNTSO’s mandate covers five countries, including Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, and the Syrian Arab Republic. The Field Language Assistant at the GS-5 Level reports directly to the Administrative Officer, Naqoura, Lebanon, under the overall supervision of the Chief of Mission Support.

Responsibilities

The incumbent will be responsible but not limited to the following duties: • Provides clear and concise verbal communication/interpretation, interfacing between the UNTSO Military Observer(s) in Lebanon and local population in support of operations and wider mission activities. • Provides written translation of high-level documents and communications from Arabic to English language and vice versa covering a broad range of subjects dealt with by the United Nations. • Liaises and arranges meetings between the host country entities and Team Leaders / Observers and acts as Liaison / Interpreter focal point on matters between the local community and UNTSO Observer Group Lebanon (OGL) Team. • Reports to the assigned Teams as per established work roster and accompanies Military Observer(s) on daily patrols (by vehicle as well as by foot) to provide interpretation, geographical orientation and directions in support of UNTSO OGL patrolling and observing operations. • Keeps abreast of news in the Media and provides daily briefs to OGL and staff of relevant contents in the area of operation affecting OGL operations. • Assists officers with the preparation of drafts, briefing notes and background information. • Assists in training junior officers on cultural background and geographical briefs; area specific information on the teams area of operation. . Required to work on shift duty roster inclusive of regular weekends. . Required to work after working hours; travel on a daily basis throughout the area of operation South of Litani River in UN Vehicles and to report / relocate from one position (Team) to another. . Ability to relocate to an accommodation close to workplace. • Performs other duties as required.

Competencies

Professionalism – 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. 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. 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 the 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

High school diploma is required. Certificate in Translation or in related field is desirable.

Job - Specific Qualification

Valid national driving license is required Certificate in Translation or in related field is desirable. Knowledge of MS Word and Excel is required.

Work Experience

A minimum of five (05) years of work experience in providing translation/interpretation services is required. The minimum years of relevant experience is reduced to three (3) for candidates who possess a first-level university degree or higher.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, fluency in spoken and written English and Arabic is required. Working knowledge of other official UN Languages is desirable. NOTE: ''Fluency'' equals a rating of ''fluent'' in all four areas (read, write, speak, understand) and ''Knowledge of'' equals a rating of ''confident'' in two of the four areas.

Assessment

Not available.

Special Notice

The temporary position is intended to fill the functions for a short-term duration till 30 September 2024, with a possibility of extension subject to the availability of the position. Recruitment for this position is done on a local basis, whether or not the candidate is a resident of the duty station. Candidates should have no expectation of any fixed-term appointment possibility after the end of this temporary assignment. Subsequent to the initial temporary appointment, new and successive temporary appointments may be granted for service in the same office or in a different office any number of times, for any duration, provided that the length of service does not exceed the period of 364 calendar days. Geographical knowledge in the area South of Litani River in Lebanon and ability to work on shift duty roster inclusive of regular weekends is required. Ability to work after working hours; travel on a daily basis throughout the area of operation South of Litani River in UN Vehicles and to report / relocate from one position (Team) to another is required; ability to relocate to an accommodation close to workplace is desirable. 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. 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. 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. Candidates will be required to meet the requirements of Article 101, paragraph3, of the Charter as well as the requirements of the position. The United Nations is committed to the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity for all its human resources, including but not limited to respect for international human rights and humanitarian law. Candidates may be subject to screening against these standards, including but not limited to whether they have committed, or are alleged to have committed criminal offences and/or violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law.

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.