Translator (English-French)

Volunteering Communications & PR

Overview

Translate and interpret between English and French for UN operations.

You have:

• Experience in handling complex organizational issues at the international level is required.
• Translation and interpretation expertise is required.
• Knowledge of the UN rules, regulations, policies and practices is desirable.
• Experience providing services to or in a field operation of the United Nations Common System or a comparable international organization or a large-scale private organization is desirable.

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.

Concerned with the security, humanitarian, human rights and political crisis in the Central African Republic and its regional implications, the Security Council authorized on 10 April 2014 deployment of a multidimensional United Nations peacekeeping operation – MINUSCA, with the protection of civilians as its utmost priority. Its other initial tasks included support for the transition process; facilitating humanitarian assistance; promotion and protection of human rights; support for justice and the rule of law; and disarmament, demobilization, reintegration and repatriation processes. The newly established mission subsumed the UN Integrated Peace building Office in the Central African Republic (BINUCA) on the date of the establishment and has been set to take over authority in military and police matters from the African Union-led peacekeeping operation – MISCA – on 15 September 2014. (http://www.un.org/en/peacekeeping/missions/minusca/).

Within delegated authority and under the direct supervision of the Chief of Conference and Translation Unit (CTU) The Translator will be responsible for the following duties:

Translation Perform French to English and English to French translations on a self- revision basis of documents covering a broad range of subjects dealt with by the United Nations, i.e., in the political, social, legal, economic, financial, administrative, scientific and technical fields, to the standards of the United Nations /revisions, as assigned by the Chief of Unit or his/her representative.

May be required to revise and edit texts translated by other translators to ensure linguistic quality, clarity, accuracy and conformity with established terminology and style. Use all sources of reference, information and consultation relevant to the text in hand and carry out any research required to solve terminological problems. Maintain an adequate speed and volume of output, due account being taken of the difficulty of the text and the specified deadlines. Assist the Chief of Unit in the performance of quality control activities of the Unit. Ensure consistency of translated materials as well as their integrity. Aim at a high standard of accuracy, consistency and faithfulness to the spirit, style and nuances of the original; observe the established terminology and usage; and ensure, as far as possible, consistency with other translators working on the same document.

Identify new terminology material and submit it for the consideration of supervisor. Perform other related duties, as required by the direct supervisor. Interpretation Provide interpretation, into English of speeches or statements given in French, and vice versa. Attend meetings as part of a team, take notes either directly from statements delivered in the languages of competence or from the interpretation and subsequently use.

Communication, Integrity, Working in Teams

translation and interpretation is required. Experience in handling complex organizational issues at the international level is required. Knowledge of the UN rules, regulations, policies and practices is desirable. Experience providing services to or in a field operation of the United Nations Common System or a comparable international organization or a large-scale private organization is desirable

Central African Republic is a non-family duty station with a difficult security and working environment. The country is landlocked with very limited travel possibilities and surrounded by countries with volatile and security problems (Chad, DR Congo, Sudan, South Sudan and Cameroon). Volatile socio-political situation and social unrest and grievance in particular in the capital city Bangui with frequent civil servants strikes causing interruption of health, education and civil service due to years of unpaid salaries. Power cuts are a norm causing insecurity in town. The population in Bangui including the expatriates is concerned about increasing cases of criminalities as a direct result of the March 2013 coup by the SELEKA – a coalition of rebel groups and recent events in December 2013 that carried the country into a chaos.

The country is totally dependent on Cameroon sea port situated 1500 kms away causing regular shortage of basic domestic goods. Travel time from Douala (Cameroon) to Bangui for a truckload averages a week because of very bad roads and several roadblocks. The country security level is between 3 and 4 restricting movement to official travel only. Currently the curfew applies from 10 pm to 6 am. This situation puts tremendous stress on staff and their family members. There are very limited medical infrastructures and services do not function properly. Nevertheless, a UN Dispensary provides basic medical care for the UN personnel and the UN hospital built is operational since August 2014.

Only four airlines officially recognized by UN System serve the country: Air France (once a week), Royal Air Maroc (twice a week), Kenya Airways (three flights per week) and Asky (three flights per week). Flights are sometimes subject to cancellation when security situation volatility increases.

Staff in Bangui (MHQ) lives on local economy by renting apartments and houses. In comparison to 2014 more accommodation is available but with high costs therefore sharing is recommended. Supermarkets having all variety of food and appliances are available but costlier than normal process. Also, Level II Hospital run by military medical team is available next to the MHQ.

Bouar (Sector West HQ) is located in western CAR, approximately 500 Km from Bangui (capital city) where living conditions are quite acceptable. The local market is opened every day and well furnished with seasonal fruit and basic goods. Military Level I clinic exists but the mission has plan to provide better facility. MINUSCA has constructed tented camp for civilian personnel with air-conditioned and acceptable standards and prefabricated accommodation camps started in May 2016. Similarly, installation of office prefabricated units also ongoing. There is catering services provided by a commercial entity on payment basis. The security situation is stable, but an escort is needed for some distance.

Rest & Recuperation (R&R) scheme in Bangui has been re-established since August 2013 and maintained for all CAR duty stations to a 6-week frequency. Living conditions are becoming more and more difficult due to the high cost of living and the scarcity of basic products and food. Fresh vegetables and fruits are available in the market. There is no MINUSCA Guest House in Bangui. Private accommodation possibilities are limited and getting a house according to the security measures can take about 4 weeks or more. Nevertheless, currently all serving UN Volunteers have a decent accommodation ensuring minimum and above the minimum standard of comfort. The average cost for accommodation varies from around 500 USD, for a small apartment with no furniture and no power generator, to 1700 USD with all commodities.

For the sake of rewarding experience, UN Volunteers in CAR carry out their duties with flexibility, commitment, and a willingness to live and work in challenging conditions including heat and limited water and electricity supply.

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Potential interview questions

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