Japanese Swahili Interpreter (Retainer), Multiple positions

The rapid deployment of engineering capability to UN peacekeeping missions, particularly in Africa, is a very urgent challenge, and timely response is strongly required. To support this rapid deployment, there have been numerous attempts to accelerate the missions’ start-up or respond to changes in mandate, including the provision of Military Engineering Contingents (MEC’s) from Troop Contributing Countries (TCC) for facilities and infrastructure work, including camp construction/commissioning.

A number of countries have offered support to address this gap, most significantly the Government of Japan which plans to donate initial funding for heavy equipment and training to enable faster start-up or mission redevelopment. In support of this strategy a detailed assessment was carried out and the International Peace Training Center chosen as the training site, with the support of the Japanese Government. The project objective is to deliver fast start-up operation of trial training, logistics and support for project implementation in east Africa.  In 2018, the training will be undertaken in Kenya.

UNOPS engagement in the project has two main aspects scheduled for 2018:

1. Support the 2018 training activities
2. Support Training Needs Assessments of regional military engineering units.

The first activity is likely to begin in March or April 2018 and end in October 2018. The second activity is on demand throughout the year.

• Assist and support Japanese personnel with public presentations and ceremonies.
• May be required to support and / mentor other interpreters
• May be required to supervise other interpreters
• May be required to travel in support of Training Needs Analysis visits if required

• First level University degree (Bachelor’s Degree) is required;
• Technical/Professional Diploma with additional two years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of university degree;
• Secondary Diploma with  additional four years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of university degree.

• At least 7 years of relevant experience working as a Japanese Swahili translator and/or an interpreter are required;
• Prior technical translation experience in Heavy Engineering Machine operation is required
• Experience working with Japanese culture is advantageous
• Supervisory experience,Translation and Interpretation skills are essential.

• Fluency in oral Japanese is required
• Fluency in written and oral English is required
• Fluency in written and oral Swahili is required

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.  

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns. Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.