Interpreter/Translator

Volunteering Interpretation & Translation

Overview

Provide translation and interpretation services for UN meetings

You have:

• Perfect command of French (mother tongue) and excellent knowledge of English or vice-versa.
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications.
• Familiarity with research techniques for translators and computer-assisted translation and terminology software.
• Ability to provide high standard retour interpreting (from English to French).
• High standard of accuracy, attention to details, and ability to work well under pressure.

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.

• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications; • Familiarity with research techniques for translators and with computer-assisted translation and terminology software; • High standard of accuracy and faithfulness to the spirit, style and nuances of the original text; ability to maintain an adequate speed and volume of output taking into account the difficulty of the text and the specified deadline; ability to pay attention to details and to work well under pressure; ability to shift attention rapidly from translation to interpretation and vice versa; • Ability to provide high standard retour interpreting (i.e. from active language (English) into passive language (French); • Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience.

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 1 year ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: unv.org