Electoral Translator & Interpreter

Instructions to Applicants: Click on the “Apply now” button. Input your information in the appropriate Sections: personal information, language proficiency, education, resume and motivation. Upon completion of the first page, please hit “submit application” tab at the end of the page. Please ensure that CV or P11 and the Cover letter are combined in one file.

The following documents shall be required from the applicants:

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.

A cover letter (maximum length: 1 page) indicating why the candidate considers him-/herself to be suitable for the position.

Travel:

• In accordance with UNDP procedures and regulations, the Project will cover the costs of travel for official mission expected to be associated with performing the functions, including flight, DSA, PCR tests; 
• The Electoral Translator & Interpreter will be home-based with possibility of travel for missions to Libya (Tripoli), Tunisia (Tunis) or any other city in the region if required for the simultaneous translation/interpretation during electoral missions organized by UNEST. 

Organizational context:

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 (HNEC) was put in place and a joint UN electoral team has been supporting the HNEC since, in particular for the organization of the elections of the General National Congress which took place on 7 July 2012 and 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 the electoral process based on their comparative expertise to ensure uniform decision-making and effective planning. The Promoting Elections for the People of Libya (PEPOL) has been designed 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) in support of its capacity and readiness to prepare and hold national elections. The Project was initially designed in 2017/18 for a three-year scope and has been extended until end of 2021 to maintain HNEC’s technical readiness for elections and prepare for national elections on 24 December 2021, and possibly a referendum if decided so.

Job purpose:

In coordination with UNSMIL Electoral Support Team (UNEST), the Electoral Translator & Interpreter provides technical advice and assistance to the HNEC for effective management of the existing electoral systems and solutions: voter registration and card printing, candidate nomination and results management.

Under the guidance and supervision of the Head of the UNEST Translation Team, the Electoral Translator & Interpreter provides on a daily basis translation services in Arabic and English for UNEST and in support of HNEC. S/he will be tasked with translation of electoral documents, requested to, with translation/interpretation of (predominantly online) meetings and workshops of UNEST/PEPOL and HNEC, and to promote translation services consistent with UNDP rules and regulations. The Electoral Translator & Interpreter facilitates the work of UNEST with the HNEC at the highest level. 

Institutional Arrangement:

Under the guidance and supervision of the Head of the UNEST Translation Team, the Electoral Translator & Interpreter provides on a daily basis translation services in Arabic and English for UNEST and in support of HNEC. 

The is responsible to provide translation and interpretation services in an accurate, coordinated, systematic, client-oriented, and timely manner, for the project to deliver quality work, achieve better development results, and retain trust from partners:

• The Electoral Translator & Interpreter will be supervised by the Head of the UNEST Translation Team and reports to the UNDP CTA/Project Manager of PEPOL project; 
• The incumbent will work and is full-time available for UNEST/UNDP-PEPOL from Sunday to Thursday from 8:00h-17:00h Libyan time (UTC +2);
• The incumbent is expected to join and interpret any online meeting any time during the working hours;
• The incumbent should be available for mission travel to Libya, Tunisia or any other location in the region upon request of UNDP to support interpretation of in-person meetings;
• The Service Provider will be directly responsible to reporting to the Supervisor and the designated PM, seeking approval from, and obtaining certificate of acceptance of output.

Scope of Work:

The task of the Electoral Translator & Interpreter is to provide daily support to UNEST/PEPOL Project on a range of electoral interpretation and translation requirements, including:

• Provide written translation of documents from Arabic into English and vice versa covering a broad range of electoral and political topics, within given deadlines and at the quality level required;
• Provide simultaneous high-quality interpretation services on electoral topics (Eng-Arabic and vice versa) in face-to-face meetings as well through internet communication platforms;
• Ensure adherence to styles and nuances and identifies any vague technical expressions;
• Proofread final product to ensure accuracy and idiomaticity;
• Transcribe and translate video and audio recordings;
• Revise translations submitted by others when required;
• Provide consecutive or simultaneous interpretation English to Arabic or Arabic to English, as and when needed. This may include meetings with high-ranking officials, press events and conferences (via online platforms when necessary);
• Perform other related duties as required.

UN CORE VALUES AND COMPETENCIES

Professionalism: Shows pride in work and 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 the audience; Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients ” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; Identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

Min. Academic Education:

• Advanced University Degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in linguistics or translation; Bachelors Degree with additional two years of experience can be accepted in in lieu of Master’s degree.

 Min. years of relevant Work experience:

• At least seven years of professional experience (plus 2 additional years for BA in lieu of Masters) in translation and interpreting (English-Arabic / Arabic to English) in multilateral context in the Middle East on legal, political, electoral, political, and legal/human rights, communications, media, outreach and other relevant topics.
• Relevant translation working experience in the Middle East is required.

Required skills and competencies:

• Corporate Competencies:
  • Integrity, professionalism and respect for diversity.
• Functional Competencies:
  • Extensive experience in presenting in public forums including high-level national stakeholders;
  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills, demonstrated the ability to build trust;
  • Excellent organisational, team building and planning skill;
  • Demonstrated ability to work effectively in the team, delivering through and with others.

Desired additional skills and competencies:

• Work experience and knowledge of the Libyan context and the current political transition is a strong advantage.
• Experience in interpretation and translation in UN context is strongly desired.
• Relevant translation work experience in field operations in conflict/post-conflict zones is desirable.

Required Language(s) (at working level):

• Fluency in English and Arabic is required.

Professional Certificates:

• Certification in English and/or Arabic language or translation.