National Translator& Interpret

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

The United Nations Security Council Resolution 2009 established the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) in September 2011. In February 2012, the High National Elections Commission of Libya (HNEC) was put in place and a joint UN electoral team has been supporting the HNEC since, in particular the organization of election of the General National Congress which took place on 7 July 2012 which were widely praised as credible. The team also supported the February 2014 Constitutional Drafting Assembly elections and the June 2014 House of Representatives elections. Under Libyan leadership, UNSMIL and UNDP are jointly supporting future electoral process(es) based on their expertise to ensure effective decision-making and planning. For this purpose, The Promoting Elections for the People of Libya Project (PEPOL) was established to provide a comprehensive range of electoral support through the integrated UN Electoral Support Team.

As per the roadmap agreed during the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum in Tunis in November 2020 that calls for national elections on 24 December 2021, and which was confirmed in the LPDF in Geneva in February 2021, HNEC is currently working on the planning and preparations for elections in 2021

PEPOL Scope: The UNDP Libya’s national elections project ‘Promoting Elections for the People of Libya’ (PEPOL) is integrated with UNSMIL as part of the UN’s Electoral Support Team (UNEST). UNEST/PEPOL provides technical electoral assistance to the High National Elections Commission (HNEC) to enhance its capacity and readiness to hold national elections. The Project was initially designed in 2017/18 with a three-year scope and had been extended until the end of 2021 to maintain HNEC’s technical readiness for elections, particularly its preparations for national elections on 24 December 2021, and possibly a referendum if decided so.

Under the guidance and supervision of the Head of the Translation Team, the Translator / Interpreter provides translation services for UNEST and in support of HNEC, and promotes translation services consistent with UNDP rules and regulations. The Translator / Interpreter facilitates the work of UNEST with the HNEC at the highest level. The incumbent may be required (and should be ready) to travel and work outside of the duty station city.

The National Translator & Interpreter, under the overall guidance of the Chief Technical Advisor/ Project Manager of UNDP PEPOL Project and the direct supervision of the Head of the Translation Team, the Translator & Interpreter provides translation services for UNDP PEPOL project and UNEST and in support of HNEC, and promotes translation services consistent with UNDP rules and regulations. The Translator & Interpreter facilitates the work of UNDP PEPOL project and UNEST with the HNEC at the highest level. The incumbent may be required (and should be ready) to travel and work outside of the duty station city.

Functions / Key Results Expected

Within delegated authority, the National Translator & Interpreter will perform the following functions

• Provide translation and interpretation services (Arabic-English and English-Arabic) 
• Translate a wide range and variety of documents (including , but not limited to, official correspondence, provisions of applicable legislation, press releases, newspaper articles, excerpts from publications, etc.) from Arabic-English and English-Arabic in such a manner that the translation will be a finished product ready for use and dissemination, as required 
• Resolve language and translation issues (i.e. clarification on ambiguities, technical meanings, etc.) in documents, rules, regulations, etc. through consultation with authors
• Assist in matters of terminology and style to ensure uniformity and quality of documents produced by the unit
• Attend meetings as part of a team, take notes either directly from statements delivered in English and Arabic or from the interpretation and subsequently use the notes to produce draft summary records
• Provide oral language support interpreting and translation services to the unit, as needed
• Provide consecutive or simultaneous interpretation into the target language in a variety of settings;
• Ensure that all translations are done accurately and completed on schedule;
• Maintain confidentiality of documents and information of politically sensitive nature;
• Producing a 100% accurate translation of English text to Arabic. 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.;
• Accurate and consistent exact and agreed upon translation of UN terminology adapted to Arabic;
• Ensuring Arabic language excellence and proofreading, including excellent Arabic language, vocabulary, syntax, expression and grammar as well as all relevant terminology;
• Ensuring quality check and proofreading of translation; ensuring that no typographical errors are left in the final text;
• The translation submitted to UNDP PEPOL project and UNEST under this TORS is the property of UNDP PEPOL Project and UNEST and cannot be submitted, distributed to or used by any other party, unless arranged otherwise;
• The translator is obligated to work within the required deadlines and be available to UNDP PEPOL project and UNEST for comments and corrections;
• Providing interpretation (consecutive, simultaneous and whispering) services from Arabic into English and vice versa;
• Interpret for the Chief Technical Advisor/ project manager or any UNDP and UNEST team members, consecutively, simultaneously or whisperingly;
• Managing the interpretation services when needed for some events like press conferences, workshops, seminars, etc.;
• Preparing the necessary documents that help facilitating interpretation;
• Taking the necessary measures with other interpreters that ensure the quality of interpretation;
• Perform other related duties as required.

Innovation

Ability to make new and useful ideas work.

Leadership

Ability to persuade others to follow

People Management

Ability to improve performance and satisfaction.

Communication

Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform.

Delivery

Ability to get things done while exercising good judgement.

Communication

Ability to communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience.

Organization

Excellent note-taking techniques for consecutive interpreting

Integrity

Ability to demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards

Team building

Ability to work effectively with diverse groups of professionals towards common goals

Knowledge Management

Ability to capture, develop, share and effectively use information and knowledge

Education:

• Master’s degree in languages, education or related field; translator/interpreter diploma from a recognized university or institution Experience with two years relevant work experience.
• Bachelor degree in in languages, education or related field; translator/interpreter diploma from a recognized university or institution. Experience with at least four (5) more years of relevant professional experience

Experince:

• At least two (2) years of progressively responsible professional experience in translation in writing and oral instant translation / revision/interpretation; demonstrated proficiency in English/Arabic.
• Experience in translating manuals, letters, and other documents with proof of past successful work;
• Experience in handling of web-based management systems desirable;
• Knowledge of local languages (other than Arabic) desirable.
• Prior experience in an international organization will be an advantage Language and/or international organization in Libya is considered an asset
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office package such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Zoom and Skype is required;
• Experience working in a culturally diverse environment
• Experience working with the UN is an asset;
• Good communication skills
• Knowledge of UNDP procedures is an asset.

Language Requirements:

Fluency in English and Arabic is required.

The following documents shall be required from the applicants:

1. Personal CV or P11, indicating all past positions held and their main underlying functions, their durations (month/year), the qualifications, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate, and at least three (3) the most recent professional references of previous supervisors. References may also include peers.
2. A cover letter (maximum length: 1 page) indicating why the candidate considers him-/herself to be suitable for the position.
3. Managers may ask (ad hoc) for any other materials relevant to pre-assessing the relevance of their experience, such as  reports, presentations, publications, campaigns or other materials.