Job Title:  Associate Interpreter Swahili (2 Fresher UN Jobs)

Organisation: Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)

Duty Station:  Entebbe, Uganda

Job Opening Number: 255243

About US:

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) represents the world’s commitment to universal ideals of human dignity. We have a unique mandate from the international community to promote and protect all human rights. The High Commissioner for Human Rights is the principal human rights official of the United Nations. The High Commissioner heads OHCHR and spearheads the United Nations’ human rights efforts. We offer leadership, work objectively, educate and take action to empower individuals and assist States in upholding human rights.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:  The Associate Interpreters will be responsible for the following main duties and functions:

• • Provide accurate translation and simultaneous interpretation as required, from Swahili to French and vice versa.
  • Participate in field missions and interprets interviews of victims, witnesses and sources.
  • Assists in the production of accurate and verbatim translation of written and oral witness statements, media articles and other documents from Swahili to French and vice versa as required.
  • Maintains strict security and confidentiality of information.
  • May check verbatim records of meetings services to ensure that there is no significant difference between the interpreted and original language versions of speeches and statements that have been recorded.
  • Performs other related duties as required.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

• A first-level degree from a university or an institution of equivalent status. (Candidates for this position must have passed the United Nations Competitive Examination for Interpreters.)

Job – Specific Qualification

• Not available.

Work Experience

• A minimum of two (2) years of work experience in translation and/or interpretation, including as part of academic research work, is required.
• One (1) year of work experience in these fields within the United Nations Common Systems or regional organizations is desirable.
• Experience in providing translation or interpretation to human rights investigations or on human rights-related subjects is desirable.

Languages

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations. For the positions advertised, fluency in French (oral and written) is required. Fluency in Swahili is required. Knowledge of the Lingala language is an advantage.

Competencies

• Professionalism: Ability to demonstrate a high level of concentration; split-second accuracy. Ability to work under continuous stress and deliver clear interpretation. 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.