Translator/Interpreter

Contract

This is a LICA-7 contract. This kind of contract is known as Local Individual Contractor Agreements. It is normally only for nationals. It's an external contract. It usually requires 7 years of experience, depending on education. More about LICA-7 contracts.

Background Information - Job-specific

The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners' peacebuilding, humanitarian, and development projects around the world. Mandated as a central resource of the United Nations, UNOPS provides sustainable project management, procurement, and infrastructure services to a wide range of governments, donors and United Nations organizations. With over 6,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical, and management knowledge they need, where they need it. By implementing around 1,000 projects for our partners at any given time, UNOPS makes significant contributions to results on the ground, often in the most challenging environments.

Background Information - Job-specific

With presence and experience in Ukraine since 2016, UNOPS has provided management and procurement services to support Ukraine’s national reform and sustainable development agenda, take environmental and climate action, strengthen the rule of law, improve energy and healthcare solutions, as well as address economic and governance institutional weaknesses.

The Russian Federation’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 has caused a severe and highly complex humanitarian emergency with global impact not witnessed in Europe for over 70 years. The international response has been significant, with exceptional support provided by many donor countries and organizations. UNOPS, with its ability to add considerable value in its core areas of infrastructure, procurement, and project management services, is part of the response to the ongoing emergency and is expanding its capacity in the country to be able to provide robust and timely support over the long term, through the recovery and reconstruction phases.

Recognizing the enormity and complexity of the challenges ahead, UNOPS established a dedicated Ukraine Country Office (based in Kyiv), from where its operations will be planned, resourced, implemented, managed, and controlled in the months and years ahead, with the support of the UNOPS Europe and Central Asia Regional Office (based in Geneva) and UNOPS HQ (Copenhagen).

The UNOPS Ukraine Country Office is looking to strengthen its communication function, particularly in aspects that relate to cross-cultural bilingual communication. In this context, it is looking to recruit an in-house full-time Translator/Interpreter. The Translator/Interpreter will work as a cross-cutting expert, providing linguistic and communication support to all UNOPS Ukraine personnel, as required. He/she will be central to the Country Office’s translation and interpreting quality management architecture and will work under the supervision of the Communication Analyst to help ensure that UNOPS Ukraine’s linguistic needs are adequately met.

Functional Responsibilities

********This is a local position, it is therefore open to Nationals of Ukraine and to individuals who have a valid residence/work permit.********

Summary of key functions: 1. Effective interpretation in support of office functions. 2. Effective translation, recording, and retention of information relevant to office functions. 3. Support to the office team in high-quality communication with stakeholders and partners. 4. Reporting on performed work and analysing key trends/challenges. 5. Knowledge building and knowledge sharing.

Effective interpretation in support of office functions.

The Translator/Interpreter delivers effective interpreting services at meetings, site visits, negotiations, and other stakeholder engagement formats.

The Translator/Interpreter ensures the full and precise delivery of bi-directional English – Ukrainian/Russian verbal communications between UNOPS personnel and other stakeholders as and when required for the purposes of UNOPS projects, as well as finance, HR, administration, communication, or partnerships functions.

In consultation with relevant stakeholders, the Translator/Interpreter selects the appropriate mode of interpreting (consecutive or simultaneous) and, where necessary, coordinates interpreting with any external providers involved.

The Translator/Interpreter is available to go on official travel to project sites and meeting locations within Ukraine upon reasonable notice.

Effective translation, recording, and retention of information relevant to office functions.

The Translator/Interpreter delivers translations, as well as records and retains information relevant to office functions.

With support from the Communication Analyst, the Translator/Interpreter establishes a system to receive translation requests from UNOPS personnel, perform translation, and ensure product quality and cross-document continuity, maintaining glossaries and terminology bases as necessary.

The Translator/Interpreter effectively coordinates translation work where external providers are involved.

The Translator/Interpreter records information in the form of meeting minutes and similar products, as well as contributes to the office’s information retention systems.

Support to the office team in high-quality communication with stakeholders and partners.

The Translator/Interpreter supports the office team in high-quality communication with stakeholders and partners.

The Translator/Interpreter produces and contributes to products that include but are not limited to briefs, updates, reports, media publications etc. This work may require researching and retrieving background and analytical data from internal and external sources as assigned by the Communication Analyst.

The Translator/Interpreter undertakes/supports meeting organization and coordination, drafts/contributes to background materials, talking points, and other meeting-related products, as well as performs other tasks related to stakeholder communication as instructed by the Communication Analyst.

Reporting on performed work and analysing key trends/challenges.

The Translator/Interpreter reports at agreed intervals to the Communication Analyst on the work performed, key trends and challenges identified.

With support from the Communication Analyst, the Translator/Interpreter develops solutions and products to continuously improve translation/interpreting quality and continuity.

Knowledge building and knowledge sharing.

The Translator/Interpreter provides sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice by synthesising lessons learnt and disseminating best practices in translation/interpretation.

The Translator/Interpreter collects feedback, ideas, and internal knowledge about processes and best practices and utilises these productively.

The Translator/Interpreter may be required to perform additional tasks as requested by the Communication Analyst.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education - Completion of Secondary education is required. - University Degree, preferably in linguistics, translation/interpreting, cross-cultural communication, or another relevant area, or in any other area complemented by formal training in translation/interpreting (English language) is desirable but not required, and may be considered as a substitute for some years of work experience.

Experience - A minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible experience in the field of translation/interpreting, preferably in an international environment is required with a high school degree. - Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (e.g. Google Suite) is required. - Experience with UN Agencies/international development assistance projects/international humanitarian aid activities is desirable. - Experience with technical translation (related to construction, utility systems operation, IT systems architecture and functioning, or other areas relevant to UNOPS activities in Ukraine) is desirable. - Proficiency in computer-assisted translation (CAT) tools is desirable.

Language Requirements

Fluency in Ukrainian, Russian, and English is required.

********This is a local position, it is therefore open to Nationals of Ukraine and to individuals who have a valid residence/work permit.********

Competencies

Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles. Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role). Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries. Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements. Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving. Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: ICA Contract level: Local ICA Support Contract duration: Ongoing ICA – ‘Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance.’

For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link: https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx

Additional Information

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.
• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce.
• Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.
• We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

Terms and Conditions

• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post.
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. For more information on a retainer contract here.
• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.
• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.