Job description
The Position:
Under the guidance of the relevant Programme Specialist/Advisor, the Consultant will provide services
in a retainer modality. Tasks include:
- Provide simultaneous or consecutive oral interpretation for virtual and in-person events.
- Provide high quality simultaneous/consecutive interpretation services
English/Russian and vice versa) during meetings, workshops and seminars and
other activities offline and online.
- Ensure effective and efficient provision of services, while maintaining full
confidentiality in all aspects of assignment, management of information and follow
up on deadlines and commitments made.
-
For events exceeding 2 hours, consultants may be paired with another rostered
interpreter and must be willing to co-work, alternate, and coordinate seamlessly.
2. Perform written translation of documents, reports and briefs.
- Translate and edit internal documents (e.g., messages, reports, bulletins, UN rules
and guidelines) and deliver them in MS Word, PowerPoint, or Excel formats.
- Translate and edit external documents (e.g., media materials, press releases,
publications) for print, web, or broadcast, delivering them in MS Word, PowerPoint,
or Excel formats.
- Translate and proofread all text contained in figures, boxes, tables, photo captions,
and covers using Microsoft Office programs with track changes enabled.
- Perform terminology research (using UNFPA/UN websites and official publications)
to ensure accuracy and appropriate use of terminologies.
Applicants may apply for interpretation services, translation/proofreading services, or both, depending on their qualifications and experience. Applicants should clearly indicate in their application which service(s) they are applying for and provide the corresponding proposed rates.
How you can make a difference:
UNFPA is the lead United Nations agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is intended, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. The UNFPA Strategic Plan for 2026-2029 articulates the organization’s response to a complex global environment, providing a roadmap for resilience and renewal. It is designed to accelerate the implementation of the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. This mandate is pursued through a focus on four interconnected outcomes: ending the unmet need for family planning; ending preventable maternal deaths; ending gender-based violence and harmful practices; and adapting to demographic change through evidence and rights-based policies.
In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff who embody these international norms and standards and will defend them courageously and with full conviction.
UNFPA is seeking candidates who transform, inspire, and deliver high-impact sustained results, ensuring effective external relations, communications, partnership-building and resource mobilization in a rapidly changing development and funding landscape. We need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them, and who commit to delivering excellence in programme results
Job Purpose:
You would be responsible for:
1. Produce a 100% accurate translated text. Content accuracy includes detailed comparison of content,
facts and figures and making sure there are no omissions from the source; translations and
proofreading all footnotes and/or endnotes, captions under photographs, lists etc.
2. Ensure minimal use of machine translation (such as Google translate, Computer- Assisted Translation
tools, AI translation, etc.). When machine translation took place, provide subsequent rewriting. The
amount of translated text from machine sources should not exceed 20% in the finalized text.
3. Communicate effectively the original meaning in a manner that is both readable and
comprehensible for the target audience. Research legal, technical and scientific phraseology to find the
correct translation.
4. Reflect the style of the source material. Adhere to current acceptable usage of the language and use
the appropriate register for the target audience.
5. Take any cultural factors into consideration and suggest appropriate changes to reflect and keep the
idea clear to the reading audience.
6. Ensure language excellence and proofreading, including excellent vocabulary, syntax, expression and
grammar as well as all relevant terminology.
7. Follow all grammatical conventions and adhere to rules for line breaks, punctuation, alignment, and
capitalization.
8. Ensure quality check and proofreading of translation; ensuring that no typographical errors are left
in the final text.
9. Ensure that all tables, charts, boxes, captions, etc. are clearly and correctly labelled and optimally
formatted. As needed, strengthen key findings and messages for tables and charts.
10. The translation submitted to UNFPA under this TOR is the property of UNFPA and cannot be
submitted, distributed to or used by any other party, unless arranged otherwise.
11. The translated documents should be submitted to UNFPA by email and/or via cloud links.
Required expertise, qualifications and competencies, including language requirements:
- Advanced university degree (Master's or higher) in linguistics, translation, international relations, or
related fields with a combined minimum of 5 years of professional experience in
Russian-English-Russian interpretation and translation. OR First-level university degree (Bachelor's) in
the specified fields above, combined with a minimum of 7 years of relevant professional work
experience.
- Any international certificates for translation programme completion will be an asset.
- Demonstrated experience with technical terminology related to UNFPA’s mandate (e.g.,
sexual and reproductive health and rights care and policies, such as maternal health, family
planning, cervical cancer-related services, prevention and response to gender-based
violence, population dynamics, etc.). Applicants are requested to submit a work sample in
Word or PDF format with application, demonstrating expertise in technical terminology
aligned with the aforementioned thematic areas or relevant scientific literature.
- Prior experience working with UN system organizations (e.g., EECA COs) is highly desirable.
- Excellent writing, editing, and oral communication skills in both English and Russian.
UNFPA Work Environment:
UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, diversity, integrity and healthy work-life balance. We are committed to ensuring gender parity in the organization and therefore encourage women to apply. Individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups are highly encouraged to apply. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation and selection for all regardless of personal characteristics and dimensions of diversity. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is at the heart of UNFPA's workforce - click here to learn more.
Disclaimer:
Selection and appointment may be subject to background and reference checks, medical clearance, visa issuance and other administrative requirements.
UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process and does not concern itself with information on applicants' bank accounts.
Applicants for positions in the international Professional and higher categories, who hold permanent resident status in a country other than their country of nationality, may be required to renounce such status upon their appointment.