Sinhala to English Language Translation Support - Ditwah Emergency Response

Volunteering

Overview

Translate documents from Sinhala to English for UN recovery efforts.

You have:

• Proven experience in translation from Sinhala to English.
• Experience in health, environment, education or WASH related fields.
• Strong portfolio demonstrating accurate and contextually appropriate translations.
• Excellent command of both Sinhala and English languages, including grammar, syntax, and style.
• Familiarity with UN communication guidelines and terminology.
• Excellent attention to detail and ability to maintain the original meaning, tone, and context of documents.
• Strong communication skills and ability to collaborate remotely with international and national teams.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and meet tight deadlines.
• Experience working on humanitarian, development, or large-scale reporting documents is desirable.
• Ability to adapt translations for diverse audiences while maintaining clarity and readability.

Contract

This is a UNV contract. More about UNV contracts.

The post–Cyclone Ditwah response in Sri Lanka aims to support recovery efforts for affected communities, with UNRCO playing a central role in ensuring coordinated engagement with government counterparts, development partners, and other stakeholders. This online volunteering assignment contributes to SDG 17 by strengthening communication capacity for joint humanitarian response, improving the timely dissemination of information, and supporting inclusive and resilient recovery efforts. Volunteers will translate documents from Sinhala to English, including reports and other communication materials related to the Cyclone Ditwah response, while adhering to UN communication guidelines and maintaining accuracy, clarity, and context. The Humanitarian Priorities Plan (HPP), implemented under the guidance of the Humanitarian Country Team (HCT) and supported by the Inter-Sector Coordination Group (ISCG), focuses on lifesaving and time-critical interventions for vulnerable populations. The HCT, re-activated specifically for the Cyclone Ditwah response, comprises heads or deputies of humanitarian UN agencies and national and international civil society organizations, coordinating efforts to assist approximately 658,370 people between December 2025 and April 2026.

Selected online volunteers will support the UN communications team by translating documents from Sinhala to English, including reports, briefs, factsheets, and other communication materials related to post–Cyclone Ditwah recovery and climate action initiatives. Volunteers will receive the Sinhala-language source documents along with guidance on target audiences, UN communication guidelines, and any additional instructions as needed.

They will be responsible for producing accurate, clear, and contextually appropriate English translations while maintaining the intended meaning and tone of the original content. Volunteers will coordinate remotely with the UN communications team to receive feedback, incorporate revisions, and ensure timely submission of deliverables.

As part of the selection process, candidates will be asked to provide a one-paragraph translation sample to demonstrate their skills. Additional translation tasks may be assigned depending on evolving communication needs related to climate action, disaster response, and recovery efforts in Sri Lanka.

⁠- Translate an estimated 5–10 short documents per month/per volunteer (e.g. briefs, factsheets, situation updates), with volume adjusted based on response needs and agreed in advance with the UN communications team. - Ensure translations are accurate, clear, and contextually appropriate, maintaining the original meaning, tone, and intent in line with UN communication guidelines. - Adapt translations for diverse target audiences as indicated by the UN communications team. - Coordinate remotely with the UN communications team to receive guidance, feedback, and incorporate revisions. - Deliver translations within agreed timelines, responding to time-sensitive humanitarian communication needs. - Submit a one-paragraph translation sample as part of the selection process to demonstrate language proficiency.

Proven experience in translation from Sinhala to English. Experience in health, environment, education or WASH related fields. Strong portfolio demonstrating accurate and contextually appropriate translations. Excellent command of both Sinhala and English languages, including grammar, syntax, and style. Familiarity with UN communication guidelines and terminology. Excellent attention to detail and ability to maintain the original meaning, tone, and context of documents. Strong communication skills and ability to collaborate remotely with international and national teams. Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and meet tight deadlines. Experience working on humanitarian, development, or large-scale reporting documents is desirable. Ability to adapt translations for diverse audiences while maintaining clarity and readability.

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Potential interview questions

Added 8 months ago - Updated 8 months ago - Source: unv.org