Translation Support for Communication Materials from English to Lao

Volunteering

Overview

Translate materials from English into Lao for UN communications.

You have:

• Native or near-native fluency in Lao, with excellent written communication skills, and strong proficiency in English.
• Demonstrated experience translating written content from English to Lao, preferably for communications, reports, articles, or institutional materials.
• Familiarity with terminology related to sustainable development, public policy, international cooperation, and UN-related topics.
• Ability to ensure translations are accurate, clear, and consistent, while preserving the meaning and tone of the original English text.
• Capacity to review and refine translated texts for grammar, clarity, and appropriate use of Lao terminology.
• Ability to communicate with the team via email or virtual platforms and ask clarifying questions when needed.
• Ability to meet agreed timelines for translation tasks and provide updates on progress when required.
• Comfortable working with Word documents, shared online documents, and basic communication tools used for remote collaboration.

Contract

This is a UNV contract. More about UNV contracts.

This task supports the communications and advocacy work of the United Nations Resident Coordinator’s Office (RCO) in the Lao PDR. The RCO coordinates the United Nations Country Team to support national development priorities and the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Effective communication in both English and Lao is essential to ensure that key development messages, results, and initiatives are accessible to national stakeholders, partners, and the wider public.

By translating communications materials from English into Lao, the volunteer will help ensure that important information about UN-supported programmes, policy initiatives, and development outcomes can reach government partners, civil society, media, and local audiences in a clear and culturally appropriate way. This contributes to strengthening public awareness, transparency, and engagement around development efforts in Lao PDR.

The translation support will contribute to the RCO’s broader communications and advocacy efforts, which highlight the work and collective impact of the UN system in Lao PDR. These efforts include promoting joint initiatives, supporting national priorities such as sustainable development, climate action, human capital development, and inclusive economic growth, and communicating results from UN programmes and partnerships.

The Online Volunteer’s contribution will be particularly useful for translating materials used in public information products such as stories, reports, social media content, event materials, and advocacy messages. These communications products are part of ongoing initiatives to strengthen the visibility of the UN’s work in Lao PDR and ensure that information is accessible to both international and national audiences.

The Online Volunteer should be aware that the United Nations Resident Coordinator’s Office supports coordination among UN agencies operating in Lao PDR and works closely with government institutions, development partners, and civil society. Communications materials often relate to UN-supported programmes, national development frameworks, and the Sustainable Development Goals.

To accomplish this task effectively, Online volunteer should: * Be familiar with formal written Lao used in professional or institutional contexts. * Be comfortable translating terminology related to development, policy, and international cooperation. * Maintain accuracy, neutrality, and clarity when translating materials that may be used in official communications.

Online Volunteer will receive guidance from the communications team to ensure that translations reflect the intended meaning and align with commonly used terminology within the UN and development community in Lao PDR.

Online Volunteer will support the translation of communications and advocacy materials from English into Lao to ensure that key messages are accurately conveyed to national audiences. The volunteer will help ensure that the translated materials are clear, culturally appropriate, and aligned with commonly used terminology in Lao development and UN contexts.

Specific tasks will include: * Translating written materials from English to Lao, including communications products such as articles, social media posts, briefing notes, key messages, reports, captions, and advocacy materials. * Reviewing and editing translations to ensure accuracy, clarity, and consistency of terminology, particularly for development, policy, and UN-related terms. * Coordinating with the communications team to clarify context or terminology where needed before finalizing translations. * Supporting light proofreading and quality checks of Lao-language texts before publication or dissemination. * Ensuring translations maintain the tone, intent, and key messages of the original English materials.

Daily logistics and coordination * The Online Volunteer will work remotely and coordinate primarily through email and shared documents. * Communication with the team may take place through email or virtual platforms (e.g., Teams or Zoom) when clarification or discussion is needed. * The Online Volunteer may be asked to provide short status updates on translation progress and flag any questions regarding terminology or context. * Tasks will be shared on a rolling basis, depending on upcoming communications outputs and deadlines. * The Online Volunteer will collaborate with the communications team and may also coordinate with Lao-speaking colleagues for terminology verification when necessary.

Time commitment * The estimated time commitment is flexible, depending on the volume of materials, but typically a few hours per week. * Volunteers may be asked to complete translations within agreed timelines, particularly when materials are linked to events, campaigns, or publications.

Expected outputs * Accurate and well-formatted Lao translations of English-language materials, delivered in editable document format (e.g., Word or Google Docs). * Revised translations following feedback from the communications team when required.

To successfully carry out this assignment, the Online Volunteer should have the following skills and experience: * Language proficiency: Native or near-native fluency in Lao, with excellent written communication skills, and strong proficiency in English to accurately translate materials. * Translation experience: Demonstrated experience translating written content from English to Lao, preferably for communications, reports, articles, or institutional materials. * Understanding of development terminology: Familiarity with terminology related to sustainable development, public policy, international cooperation, and UN-related topics is highly desirable. * Attention to detail: Ability to ensure translations are accurate, clear, and consistent, while preserving the meaning and tone of the original English text. * Editing and proofreading skills: Capacity to review and refine translated texts for grammar, clarity, and appropriate use of Lao terminology. * Communication and coordination: Ability to communicate with the team via email or virtual platforms, ask clarifying questions when needed, and incorporate feedback into revisions. * Reliability and time management: Ability to meet agreed timelines for translation tasks and provide updates on progress when required. * Digital literacy: Comfortable working with Word documents, shared online documents, and basic communication tools used for remote collaboration. * Experience working with communications materials, international organizations, or development-related projects will be considered an advantage but is not mandatory.

Apply now

Potential interview questions

Added 3 months ago - Updated 2 months ago - Source: unv.org