Back Senior Translator/ Interpreter

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

UNDP has a global mandate to support governments in the area of good governance and, Security & Justice Sector Reform as well as significant experience in producing policy advice and support to governments. At the request of the Government of Iraq (GoI), UNDP has been engaging with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and a range of national and international interlocutors to provide technical advice and assistance to advance efforts in this sphere. Among others, the on going work focuses specifically in supporting the implementation of the GoI Security Sector Reform Programme (SSRP). In this regard UNDP maintains strong partnerships with ONSA and, a range of interlocutors and, also plays a central coordination role between government and International Partners engaged in this long- term reform process.

On 16 July 2017 the National Security Council, formally endorsed the Security Sector Reform Programme (SSRP). UNDP has provided significant technical support to ONSA and relevant institutions throughout the development of the SSRP and, has facilitated numerous consultations with a wide-range of stakeholders, helping to ensure broad support for this long-term reform process. Among others the overall GoI SSRP has specific focus on improving local policing under the SSR system priority Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement. The emphasis is on transition from 'Green' to more service oriented 'Blue' policing in post- ISIL Iraq.

Furthermore, recognizing that access to security and justice and, realization of safer communities is a prerequisite for democratic advancement and post- ISIL recovery and stability in Iraq, the Police Affairs Agency has undertaken significant efforts over the past year to advance local policing in Iraq with a specific focus on preventative and responsive policing with emphasis on better crime management. In this regard two important policy documents were recently developed to improve local policing and, criminal investigations in Iraq: The 'Local Police Service Road Map' and unified 'Standard Operating Procedures (SoP) for Criminal Investigations'. UNDP provided technical advice and assistance to elaborate these policy documents and, their implementation has just begun.

Looking forward, UNDP SSR/RoL Programme will provide a comprehensive package of technical advice and, assistance to advance security and justice sector governance in Iraq both at national and local levels with specific emphasis on liberated areas. Among others it will include ongoing advisory support to key interlocutors; training, mentoring and training the trainer (ToT) activities; piloting a context specific 'model police station' initiative; support to local civil society organizations (CSOs) to play an active role in building police-public partnerships; and, maintaining regular documentation of best practice and lessons learned.
Against this backdrop, the Senior Translator will work under the direct supervision of SSR/RoL Project Manager, and under the overall oversight of the SSR/RoL Programme Manager.

Under the overall guidance of the SSR/RoL Programme Manager and the daily supervision of the SSR/RoL Project Manager, the Senior Translator/Interpreter will:

Provide high quality, timely, and professional written Arabic to English and English to Arabic translation for SSR/ RoL documents:

• Produce timely, high quality, professional written English-Arabic and Arabic-English translation of official correspondence for UNDP and counterparts, partners, and other audiences including legal documents, reports, and letters;
• Produce timely, high quality, professional written English-Arabic and Arabic-English translation of communications products including press release and fact sheets;
• Perform quality control of translated documents to ensure accuracy, quality and appropriateness of the translation including proofreading, editing and, revising translated materials;
• Develop effective filing systems (electronic and physical) and file important documentation on a regular basis.
• Other translation tasks as needed

Provide simultaneous interpretation services Arabic-English / English-Arabic for meetings, trainings, workshops, and other events or activities as required:

• Provide high quality Arabic/English interpreting for meetings in the field;
• Provide accurate simultaneous interpretation during meetings, trainings, workshops, conferences and other relevant activities;
• Provide high quality interpreting for meetings with government counterparts based in Baghdad;
• Travel with SSR/ RoL team members as requested to support field missions based out of Baghdad for Arabic/English interpretation;
• Other interpretation tasks as needed.

Assist and support SSR/ RoL Team regarding:

• Ensure proper coordination and prioritization of UNDP Security Sector Reform / Rule of Law programme translation requests;
• Provision of any administrative and operational support associated to the translation work as requested;
• Participate in language tests for staff recruitment;
• Oversee translation/interpretation contracts for events, etc., ensuring quality of services provided;
• Oversee the maintaining of soft and hard archiving systems of translated documents from all offices.

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
• Promotes the vision, mission and strategic goals of UNDP;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Strong organizational and reporting skills;
• Results-oriented, strong team player with outstanding interpersonal and coordination skills;
• Ability to work independently, under pressure and meet deadlines with a positive attitude;
• Understanding of UNDP procedures, rules and regulations an asset.

Functional Competencies:

Communication

• Possesses strong communications skills, both spoken and written;
• Is able to articulate ideas in a clear and concise manner;
• Asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication;
• Tailors language, tone, style and format to match the audience.

Planning and Organizing

• Organizes time effectively and prioritizes workload appropriately; adjusts priorities as required;
• Is efficient in meeting commitments to tight deadlines;
• Allocates appropriate amount of time for completing work.

Teamwork

• Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve goals and promotes good team spirit;
• Solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise;
• Is willing to learn from others;
• Recognizes and responds appropriately to the ideas, interests and concerns of others.

Professionalism

• Is able to work independently and show initiative when required;
• Ability to make timely decisions, communicate effectively and observe deadlines and achieve results;
• Proven ability to work in a multi-disciplinary team and with respect for diversity;
• Ability to think creatively and promote innovation;
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities.

Education:

•  Bachelor degree in translation, English language, literature orrelated field.

Experience:

• A minimum of 4 years functionally related professional translation and interpretation experience at the national and/or international level in professional English and Arabic translation and interpretation services;
• Experience in working with government counterparts and engaging with Government officials specifically in security and justice sector spheres is an asset;
• Previous work experience with UNDP or other UN agencies is considered an advantage;
• Fully proficient in software packages (MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint).

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in the English and Arabic written and spoken is required.

Important applicant information

All posts in the SC categories are subject to local recruitment.

Applicant information about UNDP rosters

Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Scam warning

The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.

Contract Duration: From EOD date till 31 Dec 2021