Org. Setting and Reporting

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.

On 28 October 2022, the Security Council renewed the mandate of United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) until 31 October 2023, through resolution 2656 (2022). The Security Council has tasked UNSMIL, as an integrated special political Mission, in full accordance with the principles of national ownership, to exercise mediation and through its good offices to: (i) further an inclusive political process and security and economic dialogue; (ii) further the continued implementation of the Libya Political Agreement; (iii) help consolidate the governance, security and economic arrangements of the Government of National Accord, including support for economic reform in collaboration with international financial institutions; (iv) help to achieve a ceasefire and, once it is agreed by the Libyan parties, provide appropriate support to its implementation; (v) support subsequent phases of the Libyan transition process, including the constitutional process and the organization of elections; (vi) coordinate and engage closely with international actors including neighboring countries and regional organizations; (vii) provide support to key Libyan institutions; (viii) support, on request, the provision of essential services and delivery of humanitarian assistance, including in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, in accordance with humanitarian principles; (ix) monitor and report abuses and violations of human rights and violations of international humanitarian law, including sexual violence in conflict, notably through the effective deployment of women and child protection advisers; (x) provide support in securing uncontrolled arms and related materiel and countering their proliferation; and (xi) co-ordinate international assistance, and provision of advice and assistance to Government-led efforts to stabilize post-conflict zones, including those liberated from Da’esh. The Security Council, through resolution 2570 (2021), tasked UNSMIL to provide support to the Libyan led and Libyan-owned ceasefire monitoring mechanism including through the facilitation of confidence-building measures and the scalable and incremental deployment of UNSMIL ceasefire monitors.

Responsibilities

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

• Translates documents, subject to revision, from Arabic to English and vice versa covering a broad range of subjects dealt with by the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), i.e., political, social, legal, economic, financial, administrative, scientific and technical, ensuring that all deadlines are met while maintaining a good quality of translation.
• Plans and oversees reference scheduling to ensure compliance with established deadlines.
• Identifies new terminology material.
• Transcribes and translates video and audio recordings.
• Revises translations submitted by other Unit members when required.
• Ensures adherence to styles and nuances and identifies any vague technical expressions; Proofread final product to ensure accuracy and idiomaticity.
• Assumes the functions of Head of Unit, in the absence of and when asked by the latter, and:
• Reviews and evaluates all jobs submitted by relevant sections, units and clients for pre-translation referencing, determining relative complexity and priority.
• Assigns tasks to individual staff, taking into consideration productivity, precision, skill, experience, deadlines and availability of staff.
• 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.

Work Experience

At least five years of professional translation experience is required.

Relevant language experience within the UN System is desirable.

Experience in simultaneous/consecutive interpretation is desirable.

Relevant work experience in field operations in conflict/post-conflict zones is desirable.

Relevant work experience in a field mission in Africa or Middle East, or in a similar UN entity or international setting is desirable.

Languages

A perfect command of Arabic must be the candidate’s main language. English and French are the working languages of the UN Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English (both oral and written) is also required. Fluency in French is desirable.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include a written assessment and/or an interview.

Special Notice

Appointment or assignment against this position is for an initial period of one year.
The appointment or assignment and renewal therefore subject to the availability of the post or funds, budgetary approval or extension of the mandate.
The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

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.

Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process.

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.