Interpreter/Translator

Volunteering Interpretation & Translation

Overview

Provide translation and interpretation services for the SRSG office

You have:

• Excellent knowledge of English or vice-versa for perfect command of French (mother tongue).
• Ability to live and work in difficult and harsh conditions of developing countries.
• Mandatory vaccinations for MONUSCO personnel as a requirement for entry into DRC.
• Experience in translation and interpretation duties will vary subject to operational requirements.
• Contribution to in-house terminology and reference database.

Contract

This is a UNV International Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as International UN Volunteer. It is normally internationally recruited only. More about UNV International Specialist contracts.

Assignment is with family (KINSHASA)

Within the terms of the organization’s delegated authority, and under the direct supervision of the Head of Office of the SRSG, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

(The proportion of translation duties relative to interpretation duties will vary subject to operational requirements.)

• Produce self-revised translations from French to English and English to French of memos, speeches, reports and other documents covering a broad range of subjects dealt with by MONUSCO (i.e.: political, military, legal, administrative, technical) using the in-house computer-assisted translation and terminology software; • Provide simultaneous and consecutive interpretation from French to English and/or English to French at regular high-level meetings; • Conduct terminology research and identify new terminological material; • Actively contribute to the in-house terminology and reference database; • When working with (including supervising) national staff or (non-)governmental counterparts, including Implementing Partners (IPs), the incumbent is strongly encouraged to set aside dedicated time for capacity development through coaching, mentoring and formal on-the-job training.

“This assignment is a support service to the Office of SRSG; it is not a humanitarian assignment involving direct work or interaction with beneficiaries.”

Professionalism, Respect for diversity and gender, Teamwork, Communication, Integrity

Translation and interpretation

A perfect command of French (mother tongue) and an excellent knowledge of English or vice-versa.

The Democratic Republic of Congo is the second largest country in Africa, and as a result is quite diverse. Living conditions therefore vary between MONUSCO duty stations, with all usual amenities present in the capital Kinshasa, but only very basic conditions in remote duty stations in the provinces, where, for instance, there may be no guarantee of public power supply nor running water. The ability to live and work in difficult and harsh conditions of developing countries is essential. Accommodation is very expensive in both Kinshasa and Lubumbashi. Supermarkets exist in the large towns (e.g. Bukavu, Kisangani), but consumer items are generally very expensive (as everything is imported). For food, local markets offer a much cheaper alternative. All MONUSCO duty stations are considered non-family duty stations, except for Kinshasa, Lubumbashi and Entebbe which are now considered family duty stations, and most are currently under UN Security Phase III (“relocation phase”: internationally-recruited staff are temporarily concentrated or relocated to specified sites/locations). In addition to insecurity related to the relatively volatile political situation as well as various conflict situations, certain places are subject to increasing street and residential crime, including in Kinshasa and Goma. Some degree of medical service is provided in all MONUSCO duty stations. Certain vaccinations are mandatory for MONUSCO personnel to enter the DRC, while others are compulsory for all other incoming persons. It is possible for incoming MONUSCO personnel, including UN Volunteers, to be asked to provide proof of some or all vaccinations, though this is unlikely. All UN Volunteers must ensure that they are up-to-date with all appropriate vaccinations, which should be clearly and properly endorsed in the International Certificate of Vaccination (“carte jaune”). Malaria is present virtually throughout the DRC, and it is therefore recommended to take prophylaxis. The unit of currency is the Congolese Franc. The US dollar is the other preferred currency. It may be impossible to exchange traveller’s checks away from the capital city. Credit cards are usually accepted in major hotels only in Kinshasa. In larger towns and cities (e.g. Kinshasa, Goma, Bukavu, Kisangani), UN Volunteers are recommended to open US Dollar bank accounts, while in other places, banks may be absent (including ATMs) and VLA payments will be processed in cash. UN Volunteers have the possibility to send part of their allowances to a bank account abroad. In addition to French, there are four major spoken languages in DRC, namely Lingala, Kikongo, Tshiluba and Swahili.

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Potential interview questions

Added 2 years ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: unv.org