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TRANSLATOR, ARABIC

This position is located within the Translation and Interpretation Unit in the Office of the Chief of Staff of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL). The position is based in Tripoli, Libya (Tripoli is classified as a Hardship “E” duty station and a non-family duty station). The incumbent will be under the direct supervision of the Head of the Translation and Interpretation Unit and the overall supervision of the Chief of Staff.

UNSMIL’s mandate as renewed in SC resolution 2486 of 12 September 2019 includes, as an immediate priority, support to the Libyan political process, as well as the undertaking of: (a) support to key Libyan institutions; (b) support, on request, for the provision of essential services and delivery of humanitarian assistance; (c) human rights monitoring and reporting; (d) support for securing uncontrolled arms and related materiel and countering their proliferation; and (e) coordination of international assistance, and provision of advice and assistance to GNA-led efforts to stabilize post-conflict zones.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Translator, Arabic will be responsible for the following duties:

•Translates documents, subject to revision, from Arabic into English and vice versa covering a broad range of subjects dealt with by the United Nations Support Mission in Libya, i.e, political, legal, humanitarian, financial, administrative and technical, ensuring that all deadlines are met, and the quality of translation is adequate;
•Transcribes and translates video and audio recordings.
• Revises translations submitted by other Unit members when required.
• Provides accurate and complete high-quality consecutive/simultaneous interpretation into Arabic from English, or from Arabic into English, as and when the need arises. This includes interpreting during meetings with high-ranking officials, press events and conferences;
• Ensures adherence to styles and nuances and identifies any vague technical expressions; Proofread final product to ensure accuracy and idiomaticity.
•Performs other related duties as required.

Competencies

•Professionalism – Ability to demonstrate good writing skills; high standard of accuracy, consistency and faithfulness to the spirit, style and nuances of the original text; good grasp of the subject matter. Ability to use all sources of references, consultation and information relevant to text at hand. Ability to maintain an adequate speed and volume of output, taking into account the difficulty of the text and the specified deadlines. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

•Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

•Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent). A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree (Candidates for this position must have passed the United Nations Competitive Examination for Interpreters/Translators).

Work Experience

At least five years of professional translation and interpreting experience is required.
Relevant language experience within the UN System is desirable.
Relevant work experience in the African or Middle Eastern regions is desirable.
Relevant work experience in field operations in conflict/post-conflict zones is desirable.
Experience in simultaneous/consecutive interpretation is required.

Languages

A perfect command of Arabic, which must be the candidate’s main language. Fluency in English is required.

Arabic Translators must also have an excellent knowledge of at least two other official languages, as tested by the relevant United Nations Competitive examination.

The requirement of a third language and/or the relevant United Nations Competitive examination may be waived in the case of candidates who possess relevant substantive expertise required by the language unit concerned.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice

Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures.

The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

Due to the ongoing temporary suspension of hiring for regular positions in the UN Secretariat, this Job Opening is posted to advance the hiring process but no hiring will be made until after the suspension is lifted.

United Nations Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.

Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.

The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.