Senior Translator/ Interpreter

The Funding Facility for Stabilization (FFS) operates in Iraq’s liberated areas in Salah al-Din, Diyala, Anbar, Ninewa, and Kirkuk Governorates. FFS has a project profile of over 3,000 projects across all sectors (water, electricity, health, etc.) and is seeking to support the stabilization of liberated areas in order to stimulate the return of Iraq’s displaced population.

FFS requires experienced translators to translate official and unofficial documents, including progress reports, communication with Government of Iraq authorities, and communications materials. Further, FFS requires translators to serve as interpreters for meetings, ceremonies, and interviews with beneficiaries and Iraqi authorities in order to effectively disseminate more materials to this audience group. In Erbil, this will include communicating the 1,500+ projects ongoing in Ninewa, northern Salah al-Din, and Kirkuk. The Senior Translator will support Erbil-based UNDP staff on translation needs, especially with regards to the Communications Team. This will include conducting interviews and supporting the communications efforts to Iraqi audiences in northern Iraq where FFS operates.The position is part of the Donor and Communications Team, reporting to the Program Management Specialist. However, the resource will be shared among the wider FFS team.The position is based in Erbil and the successful candidate will be required to travel to Ninewa, Kirkuk, and northern Salah al-Din on official UNDP business.

• Produce timely, high quality, professional written English-Arabic and Arabic-English translation of official correspondence for UNDP and counterparts, partners, and other audiences;
• Translate documents for high-level official government correspondence including legal documents, reports, and letters;
• Produce timely, high quality, professional written English-Arabic and Arabic-English translation of communications products, including but not limited to social media posts, press releases, blogs, interview scrips, and infographics created by the FFS Communications Team;
• Produce high quality, professional written translation from English to Arabic of FFS PowerPoint presentations for donor conferences and meetings;
• Produce high quality written translation from English to Arabic of FFS quarterly and annual progress reports;
• Work closely with the Donor Relations Lead and Communications Officers regarding translation of public information products;
• Work closely with the Program Managers, Stabilization Specialists, and Area Coordinators on effectively communicating with counterparts, translating documents, and ensuring program intentions are appropriately communicated;
• Develop effective filing systems (electronic and physical) and file important documentation on a regular basis;
• Oversee the compilation of all translated materials impacting or relating to UNDP stabilization (i.e. laws, regulations, decrees, international instruments) for future use and reference.  Translate those not yet in English and Arabic languages;
• Other translation tasks as needed.

• Travel with Communications Team or other FFS teammembers as requested to support field missions based out of Erbil for Arabic/English interpretation;
• Provide high quality Arabic/English interpreting for meetings in the field on UNDP field missions, to include donor visits, VIP visits, communications team meetings with beneficiaries, or otherwise;
• Provide high quality interpreting for meetings with government counterparts based in Erbil;
• Provide accurate simultaneous interpretation during meetings, trainings, workshops, conferences and other relevant activities and events. In particular, support the Senior FFS Management at high level meetings, workshops, conferences and seminars;
• Other interpretation tasks as needed.

• 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.

• 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

• Promotes knowledge management in UNDP and a learning environment in the office through leadership and personal example
• Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills 

• Reports to internal and external clients in a timely and appropriate fashion.
• Organizes and priorities work schedule to meet client needs and deadlines.
• Establishes, builds and sustains effective relationships within the work unit and with internal and external clients.
• Responds to client needs promptly.

• Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
• Demonstrates good oral and written communication skills
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities

• Researches best practices and poses new, more effective ways of doing things.
• Documents innovative strategies and new approaches.

• Good communication skills both oral and written, including networking and interpersonal skills 
• Proven ability to persuade and influence others to cooperate

• Demonstrate professional competence 
• 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.
• Willing to undertake other tasks as advised by the Project Manager/ Programme Manager

• Coordinates on programmetic partnership
• Facilitates the engagement of stakeholders or groups in participatory and transparent decision making and sharing information

• Master degree or Bachelor degree in translation, English language, literature, journalism, law or related field;
• Certificate in translation an asset.

• A minimum one (1) year (with Masters’ degree), or, minimum two (2) years (with Bachelors’ degree) of relevant professional translation and interpretation experience at the national and/or international level in professional English and Arabic translation and interpretation services;
• Experience in UN or UNDP is an asset;
• Previous experience of working with national or international development NGOs, companies, or international organization is required;
• Excellent computer skills is required;
• Excellent writing skills is required.

• Fluency in English and Arabic is required;
• Kurdish fluency is an asset.

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.

Workforce diversity

UNDP is committed to achieving diversity within its workforce, and encourages all qualified applicants, irrespective of gender, nationality, disabilities, sexual orientation, culture, religious and ethnic backgrounds to apply. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.

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