This position is open to Sudan Nationals Only
BACKGROUND
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is the part of the United Nations Secretariat responsible for bringing together humanitarian actors to ensure a coherent response to emergencies.
OCHA’s mission is to:
Mobilize and coordinate effective and principled humanitarian action in partnership with national and international actors to alleviate human suffering in disasters and emergencies. Advocate for the rights of people in need. Promote preparedness and prevention. Facilitate sustainable solutions.OCHA provides support to the Humanitarian Coordinator (HC) and the Humanitarian Country Team (HCT) in Sudan. Working with the entire humanitarian community, OCHA looks to foster a conducive operating environment that facilitates the effective delivery of humanitarian assistance.
OCHA also promotes compliance with humanitarian principles in the humanitarian response. This is an essential element of effective humanitarian coordination and is central to establishing and maintaining access to affected people, particularly in conflict-affected areas of Sudan.
The Communication Officer (Translator/Interpreter) contributes to the development and implementation of communication strategies aimed at shaping the humanitarian agenda, enhancing public and media outreach, and mobilizing support for humanitarian operations in Sudan. The incumbent is responsible for timely, accurate and consistent translation of materials between English and Arabic. Duties also include quality control and proofreading of translated documents, as well as effective prioritization of translation tasks. Additionally, the Communication Officer will provide simultaneous interpretation during meetings, training sessions and workshops, as required.
This position is based in Port Sudan, Sudan, and reports to the Head of Communications.
Key Duties and Accountabilities
Within delegated authority, the Communications Officer will be responsible for the following duties:
1.) Written Translation:
Provide written translations from English to Arabic and vice versa for a variety of official materials, including laws, regulations, memoranda of understanding (MoUs), agreements, procedures, public information materials, official correspondence, website content and social media posts, ensuring linguistic accuracy and contextual relevance. Provide translation and interpretation support to Sudan’s Humanitarian Coordinator, including statements, social media, clips from media interviews and other materials. Collaborate with the global communications team on providing transcripts and proofreading subtitles for Sudan content, including advocacy videos and others. Facilitate story collection by offering translation/interpretation support to non-Arabic speaking colleagues as needed. Proactively translate new documents into English or Arabic as required. Incorporate revisions and updates into existing documents in either language, ensuring that changes are accurately reflected. Review and proofread documents to ensure clarity, accuracy, and adherence to required standards. Ensure the correct and consistent use of United Nations terminology across all translated materials. Support the translation or proofreading of OCHA’s digital campaigns packages, including for World Humanitarian Day. Support the translation of OCHA’s appeal documents and other materials as needed.2.) Quality Control
Conduct quality control of translated documents to ensure accuracy, clarity, and appropriateness. Ensure the correct and consistent use of United Nations humanitarian terminology across all materials.3.) Interpretation and Meeting Support
Provide simultaneous interpretation during high-level meetings, workshops and other events, as required. Take meeting minutes in English or Arabic and produce corresponding documents in both languages for organizational use.4.) Support for Arabic Language Materials
Support the formatting and graphic design of Arabic-language materials, as needed.5.) Additional Duties
Contribute to the development of content for various communication and advocacy products, including social media assets. Undertake any other duties as required to support the work of the office. Perform additional tasks within the incumbent’s functional profile, as necessary, to ensure the efficient operation of the office and the organization.Competencies
Professionalism: Knowledge and understanding of humanitarian, emergency relief assistance and related humanitarian issues. Ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Ability to develop sources for data collection. Conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis, including familiarity with and experience in the use of various research sources, including electronic sources on the internet, intranet and other databases. Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, work under pressure, on occasion in a highly stressful environment (e.g., civil strife, natural disasters, and human misery). Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines, and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings. Planning and Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently. Managerial Competencies: Judgement/Decision-Making: Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly; gathers relevant information before making a decision; considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them; takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization; proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information; checks assumptions against facts; determines the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision; makes tough decisions when necessary.Work implies frequent interaction with the following:
Humanitarian Sectors/Clusters UN Agencies International and national NGOs; Government entities and authorities at different levelQUALIFICATIONS
Education:
An advanced (Master’s) university degree in Communication, Public Relations, English language, literature or translation/interpretation from a recognized institution is required. A bachelor’s degree in the same fields, combined with an additional two (2) years of relevant translation experience, may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.Experience, Knowledge, and Skills:
A minimum of four (4) years of progressively responsible experience (with a Bachelor's degree) or two (2) years of progressively responsible experience (with a Master's degree) in relevant work at the national or international level in translation, interpretation, public relations, advocacy, or communications. Demonstrated experience translating UN or international organization documents, such as reports, policy papers, press releases, speeches, or communication materials from Arabic (as native language) into English is desirable. Experience working with an international organization is desirable, preferably within a UN agency. Proficiency in using computers and Microsoft Office software (e.g., Word, Excel) is required. Familiarity with computer-assisted translation (CAT) tools, such as Trados, is an advantage. Experience with graphic and layout design software (e.g., Adobe Illustrator, Canva) is considered an asset. Knowledge of technical terminology related to humanitarian aid is an advantage.Language Requirements:
Native-level proficiency in Arabic and fluency in English are required.Applicant information about the UNOCHA rosters
UNOCHA 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 UNOCHA at the same grade level and with similar job descriptions, experience, and educational requirements.
Non-discrimination
UNOCHA has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. UNOCHA is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin, or other status.Scam warning
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