Pool of On-call Translator/Interpreter (Serbian-English-Serbian, written and verbal) - three retainer positions, Multiple positions

The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development. UNOPS provides project management, procurement and infrastructure services to governments, donors and UN organisations. Its services can be advisory, implementation or transactional, with development of the national capacity always in focus.

UNOPS was the first organisation in the world that was awarded the four most prestigious accreditations in project management, including PRINCE2 ®, and one of five organisations in the world awarded the Gold Level from the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply.  For its approach to project management and consistent quality UNOPS received ISO 9001 certification in 2011.

In Serbia, UNOPS has been active since 2000, became the Project Centre (RSPC) in 2013, and was reclassified, due a growing portfolio, to Operations Centre (RSOC) at the beginning of 2017. UNOPS has been a reliable partner of the Government of the Republic of Serbia in providing support for demanding socio-economic reforms and facilitating accession to the European Union.

1.   The purpose of the engagement of On-call Translator/Interpreter is to enable UNOPS to access the expertise and qualified support for the following services:

• Translation of written materials to/from English and to/from Serbian
• Interpretation (consecutive and/or simultaneous) to/from English and to/from Serbian

2.   Scope of Assignment

In field of translation services, the On-call Translator/Interpreter shall be required to perform the following:

• Accurate translation of all written materials, including technical documentation, technical drawings, legal documents, reports, meeting minutes, presentations, newsletters, press releases etc. to/from English and to/from Serbian
• Ensuring the compliance of translation with original text, in terms of content, grammar, spelling and style, so that the text is technically, linguistically and grammatically correct, error free and completed at high quality standards. The submitted translation should not need further editing/proof-reading after completion of translation
• Meticulous simultaneous interpretation and concise, clear and accurate consecutive interpretation to/from English and to/from Serbian without distortion and/or over-interpretation of originals

The following services shall be required for all written materials in English and/or Serbian: 

• Ensure correct grammar and spelling (UK spelling) and appropriate use of words
• Ensure error-free texts in terms of content and meaning, underline inconsistencies in information and data presented in texts, raise and clarify any related queries with the author
• Ensure that all text, including text contained in figures, boxes, captions, sources and covers is subject to translation and proofreading
• Ensure consistency in translation of terminology in all materials submitted by UNOPS as per provided Terminology List or as agreed in consultation with UNOPS
• Ensure that all references and sources are accurately and consistently stipulated
• Spell out abbreviations/acronyms when they first appear in the text (followed by only the acronym thereon)
• Correlation between the list of acronyms in the table and their occurrence throughout the text;
• Correct/consistent line spacing and paragraph/table formatting
• Appropriate and consistent position of boxes, figures and tables through the annexes
• Consistent font(s) – as relevant
• Check if figures and tables at the end of each annex are consistently and accurately referred to in the main body of the text
• Footnotes to be consistently numbered beginning afresh with each new annex
• Correct formatting and other as per UNOPS guidance

3.     Deliverables and timeline

The On-call Translator/Interpreter shall be required to adhere to existing internal and external communication writing standards as well as set terminology as presented in RSOC glossary and respect previously agreed deadlines per individual services/deliverables provided in the above stipulated areas.

UNOPS reserves the right to require improvements to the submitted written translation until a satisfactory level is reached, in accordance with the ToR.

The translated documents remain under the copyright of UNOPS and should not be shared to any third party. The Individual Contractor will be required to refrain from divulging any information about the content of the text.

Education

• Bachelor degree preferably in English Language and Literature, Philology or relevant filed is required.

Work Experience

• Minimum two years of working experience in translating, interpreting, with English as a working language is required
• Knowledge of key UNOPS concepts and standards on the above (vocabulary, terminology, and other) is an asset
• Understanding of the Serbian political, legal and socio-economic situation, with special emphasis on UNOPS strategic areas is an asset
• Sworn to court translator would be an advantage

Language Requirements

• Fluency in Serbian and English 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.
• Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
• 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.

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.

Working with us

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.

Diversity

With over 4,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.