UNV Interpreter English/Tigrinya

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.

The UN Refugee Agency acting within its mandate of protecting persons in need of international protection is evacuating and resettling persons of concern at high risk from Libya to UNHCR Transit Centers in Niger and Rwanda and to Resettlement countries. Most of the evacuees and refugees considered for resettlement come from the Horn of Africa (Eritrea, Somalia, Ethiopia) and are victims of Human Trafficking, smuggling and severe human rights violations on their way towards Europe.

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of The Durable Solutions Officer or The RSD Officer or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UNV interpreter will:

• Be assigned to work with one of the Protection Units, namely either RSD, Resettlement, Child Protection/BID or Community Based Protection.
• Report to the Head of the pertinent Unit.
• Provide remote operational support to protection, refugee status determination, resettlement, child protection/BID through language support services for persons of concern to UNHCR Libya. -Translate oral statements remotely on TEAMs/Skype between English and Tigrinya for RSD, RST, BID interviews as well as for counselling sessions.

The interpreter/translation may be asked to translate written documents or statements as necessary.

Major Responsibilities :

• Act as an interpreter during RSD, RST and BID interviews, training, and counselling, including counselling, for UNHCR Libya. The interviews take place remotely from Tunisia via Skype/TEAMs with the persons of concern in Libya.
• Translate documents from target languages (Tigrinya) to English and/or Arabic and vice versa as necessary. In the fulfilment of his/her duties the interpreter must abide by relevant standards. In particular:
• Read, understand and comply with UNHCR’s Code of Conduct and realizes that he/she shall be expected to work in the spirit of the principles set forth therein.
• Read and understand the Undertaking of Confidentiality and Impartiality and understands that he shall be expected to respect the principle of confidentiality and remain impartial in his/her work.
  • Read and understand, and agree to abide by the standards of conduct set forth in the Secretary- General’s Bulletin, ST/SGB/2003/13 of 9 October 2003, concerning “Special measures for protection from sexual exploitation and sexual abuse”.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities:

• Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day); • Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country; • Provide annual and end of assignment self-reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities.
• Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.; • Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers; • Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

Results/expected outputs:

• As an active UNHCR Libya team member, efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high-quality support rendered to [UNHCR Libya] and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including: provision of high quality interpretation and translation services to persons of concern and relevant UNHCR Libya units. • Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment • A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for peace and development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed

• Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UNHCR; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UNHCR procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented; • Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and UNHCR in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority; • Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues; • Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment. • Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities; • Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups; • Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary; • Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards UNHCR’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

the national and/or international level; experience working for a humanitarian organization or related activities required, experience working as an interpreter and/or translator strongly preferred;

• Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills; • Excellent interpersonal skills; ability to work in multicultural environments and respect for diversity; • Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel; • Strong organizational skills, including attention to detail; • Strong coordination and administrative skills; • Strong observation and feedback skills; • Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; • Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines; • Have affinity with or interest in international protection, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System.

The UNV will be based in Tunis, Tunisia, but working for the UNHCR Libya operation. Should there be a need for missions outside Tunis, these will be arranged with full security clearance and MOSS compliance. The UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials