Job Identification (Reference Number): 13525
Position Title: Associate Project Officer, Interpretation and Translation-MHD (P) (2 Positions)
Duty Station City: Doha
Duty Station Country: Qatar
Grade: UG
Contract Type: Special Short term ungraded (Up to 9 months)
Recruiting Type: Professional
Vacancy Type: Call for Applications
Initial duration: 6 months
Closing date: 7 March 2025

Introduction

Established in 1951, IOM is a Related Organization of the United Nations, and as the leading UN agency in the field of migration, works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners. IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It does so by providing services and advice to governments and migrants.

IOM is committed to ensuring a workplace where all employees can thrive professionally, while working towards harnessing the full potential of migration. Read more about IOM’s workplace culture at IOM workplace culture | International Organization for Migration.

Internal and external candidates will be considered for this vacancy. For the purposes of this vacancy, internal candidates are defined as staff members holding a regular, fixed-term or short-term graded or ungraded contract, including Junior Professional Officers (JPOs), staff on Special Leave Without Pay (SLWOP), and staff members on secondment/loan released by the Organization, unless otherwise specified in their contract. Staff members holding a regular, fixed-term or short-term graded contract will not retain their contract type if appointed to an ungraded position.

Context

The International Organization For Migration (IOM) operates world-wide facilitating safe and orderly migration.

The Health Assessment Programme (HAP) is a cornerstone of IOM’s commitment to ensure that beneficiaries travel in a safe and orderly manner. Services provided during Pre-Departure Medical Preparation (PDMP) protect the health of beneficiaries during their resettlement activities, thereby protecting the health of other travelers and receiving communities. These services allow final planning of health-related assistance required for travel and facilitate safe movement, ensuring continuum of care throughout the resettlement process.

Under the overall supervision of the Chief of Mission, IOM Qatar, and the direct supervision of the Migration Health Officer, the Interpreter facilitates the communication process between and among persons who do not speak the same language and may represent different cultural backgrounds and in effect enables smooth workflow at the Migration Health Assessment Centre (MHAC) in Doha, Qatar.

TheAssociate Project Officer, Interpretation and Translation-MHD will be responsible for carrying out the following duties and responsibilities in relation to the translation and interpretation activities in the Health Assessment Programme (HAP) in Doha, Qatar.

1. Under close guidance and supervision, provide routine interpretation, in a preferred language particularly English, Dari or Pashto, for beneficiaries during medical history taking and other straightforward client encounters conducted in-person or by telephone in an accurate manner.
2. Perform preliminary translations of health or medical related documents as required, such as vaccination cards, diagnoses, medical reports or other related documents.
3. Perform all duties and responsibilities with the utmost respect/confidentiality of any information shared during physical examination or other medical encounters and strictly follow designated procedures regarding the destruction or maintenance of written notes within the required timeframe (e.g., immediately after each interpretation session). Failure to do so represents major breach of IOM code of conduct and standards.
4. Provide interpretation, administrative and logistical assistance for secondary related tasks, such as coordination with referral health facilities, escorting beneficiaries to and from hospital, information sessions, hospitalizations, beneficiary invitations or other services.
5. Immediately inform the staff / supervisor if you are having difficulty understanding a party to the conversation or if a beneficiary or any other individual offers a bribe, threatens you or tries to influence your interpretation. Immediately inform the physician/ Nurse and stop translation if you know the beneficiary personally or if you have ever met the individual at any point in the past.
6. Assist with directing patient flow if requested by the direct supervisor or physician(s), Nurse(s), Medical Data Processing assistants, Laboratory Technicians or Receptionists in the IOM Migration Health Assessment Centre (MHAC).
7. Perform such other duties as required.

Education

• Master’s degree in communication, translation, interpretation, literature, social science, arts or a related field from an accredited academic institution; or,
• University degree in the above fields with two years of relevant professional experience.

Accredited Universities are those listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database.

Experience

• Good communication, interpersonal and diplomacy skills; ability to be sensitive and tactful;
• Proven ability to effectively communicate within a team in an international or multicultural environment;
• Knowledge of the United States Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) implementation and familiarity with IOM’s administrative, financial and business rules and practices is desirable;
• Experience serving in this region, particularly in the Qatar mission is an added advantage;
• Ability to draft and edit translations in writing and in the target language;
• Strong work ethics, commitment to humanitarian principles and proficiency in a Microsoft Office environment and office software packages; and,
• Previous experience in interpretation and/or translation activities in health programming in emergency is preferred.

Skills

• Takes responsibility and manages constructive criticism;
• Works effectively with all clients and stakeholders;
• Communicates clearly and promotes continuous learning;
• Takes initiative and drives high levels of performance;
• Plans work, anticipates risks, and sets goals within area of responsibility;
• Displays mastery of subject matter;
• Contributes to a collegial team environment;
• Incorporates gender-related needs, perspectives, and concerns, and promotes equal gender participation;
• Displays awareness of relevant technological solutions;
• Delivers on set objectives in hardship situations;
• Effectively coordinates actions with other implementing partners; and,
• Works effectively with local authorities, stakeholders, beneficiaries; and the broader community to advance country office or regional objectives.

Languages

For this position, fluency in English is required (oral and written).

Working knowledge of in Dari and/or Pashto is highly desirable, and/or another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, and Spanish) is an advantage.

IOM’s official languages are English, French, and Spanish.

Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.

Required Competencies

IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link Competencies will be assessed during the selection process.

Values – all IOM staff members must abide by and demonstrate these five values:

• Inclusion and respect for diversity: Respects and promotes individual and cultural differences. Encourages diversity and inclusion.
• Integrity and transparency: Maintains high ethical standards and acts in a manner consistent with organizational principles/rules and standards of conduct.
• Professionalism: Demonstrates ability to work in a composed, competent and committed manner and exercises careful judgment in meeting day-to-day challenges.
• Courage: Demonstrates willingness to take a stand on issues of importance.
• Empathy: Shows compassion for others, makes people feel safe, respected and fairly treated.

Core Competencies – behavioural indicators Level 2

• Teamwork: Develops and promotes effective collaboration within and across units to achieve shared goals and optimize results.
• Delivering results: Produces and delivers quality results in a service-oriented and timely manner. Is action oriented and committed to achieving agreed outcomes.
• Managing and sharing knowledge: Continuously seeks to learn, share knowledge and innovate.
• Accountability: Takes ownership for achieving the Organization’s priorities and assumes responsibility for own actions and delegated work.
• Communication: Encourages and contributes to clear and open communication. Explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring and motivational way.

Notes

Internationally recruited professional staff are required to be mobile.

Any offer made to the candidate in relation to this vacancy notice is subject to funding confirmation.

For this staff category, candidates who are nationals of the duty station’s country cannot be considered eligible.

Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, security clearances. Subject to certain exemptions, vaccination against COVID-19 will in principle be required for individuals hired on or after 15 November 2021. This will be verified as part of the medical clearance process.

Vacancies close at 23:59 local time Geneva, Switzerland on the respective closing date. No late applications will be accepted.

IOM does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process (application, interview, processing, training or other fee). IOM does not request any information related to bank accounts.

IOM only accepts duly completed applications submitted through the IOM e-Recruitment system (for internal candidates link here). The online tool also allows candidates to track the status of their application.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

For further information and other job postings, you are welcome to visit our website: IOM Careers and Job Vacancies