Japanese Swahili Interpreter Supervisor, Multiple positions

UNOPS supports the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to serve people in need by expanding the ability of the United Nations, governments and other partners to manage projects, infrastructure and procurement in a sustainable and efficient manner.

Working in some of the world’s most challenging environments, our vision is to advance sustainable implementation practices, always satisfying or surpassing our partners’ expectations.

With over 7,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, wherever they need it.

A flexible structure and global reach means that we can quickly respond to our partners' needs, while offering the benefits of economies of scale. 

UNOPS - East Africa Hub

Located in Nairobi, Kenya, UNOPS East Africa Hub manages a growing portfolio of engagements, including associated strategic and operational risks. The East Africa sub-region currently consists of an established operations center in South Sudan, an office in Somalia and a portfolio of multiple transactional, procurement and infrastructure projects in Tanzania, Burundi, Uganda, Kenya and several Atlantic and Indian Ocean island states.

The rapid deployment of engineering capability to UN peacekeeping missions, particularly in Africa, is a very urgent challenge, and timely response is strongly required. To support this rapid deployment, there have been numerous attempts to accelerate the missions’ start-up or respond to changes in mandate, including the provision of Military Engineering Contingents (MEC’s) from Troop Contributing Countries (TCC) for facilities and infrastructure work, including camp construction/commissioning. 

A number of countries have offered support to address this gap, most significantly the Government of Japan which plans to donate initial funding for heavy equipment and training to enable faster start-up or mission redevelopment. In support of this strategy a detailed assessment was carried out and the International Peace Training Center chosen as the training site, with the support of the Japanese Government. The project objective is to deliver fast start-up operation of trial training, logistics and support for project implementation in east Africa. In 2015 and 2016, the project was undertaken in Kenya however Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda are also possible locations.

UNOPS engagement in the project has two main aspects scheduled for 2017:

• Support the 2017 training activities
• Support Training Needs Assessments of regional military engineering units.

 The first activity is likely to begin in March or April 2017 and end in October or November 2017. The second activity is on demand throughout the year.

Reporting to the Logistics Manager, the Japanese Interpreter Supervisor will provide translation services between Japanese, English and Swahili, supporting the training programme that will be undertaken at TBC. There are possible requirements to travel within East Africa region to provide translation services to support Training Needs Assessment of other regions military engineering units. The Interpreter Supervisor will plan, manage and supervise the general interpreters ensuring consistent, competent delivery of both verbal and written translation services to the Japanese Instructors and experts.

• Verbal translation directly or by VHF radio relay in the field between instructors and trainees.
• Supervise and manage translation of training schedules, lesson and safety plans and powerpoint presentations.
• Management of translation for policy documents as required by Instructors.
• Management of translation of Training Needs Assessment requirements.
• Liaison between Instructors and Trainees, soliciting feedback from both parties, highlighting issues and difficulties and making recommendations based on trainee responses and feedback.
• Liaison and support to non-English speaking Japanese personnel at HPSS as required such as GoJ visiting dignitaries.
• Planning and scheduling of all interpretation services including onsite training, national field trips, regional assessments, ceremonies and public presentations. 
• Support After Action Review meetings and translate Japanese Instructor input into the AAR.
• Support after hours functions, providing translation services as required.
• Assist and support Japanese personnel with public presentations and ceremonies.
• Manage translator team(s) and support the Japanese Subject Matter Experts (SME’s) to undertake Training Needs Assessments within East Africa to assess regional military engineering units.

• Advanced University Degree with a minimum of 7 years of relevant experience is required; 
•  A first level University degree (Bachelors Degree) in a related field with an additional 9 years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree;
• Technical/Professional Diploma with a combination of 11 additional years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of university degree;
• Secondary Diploma with a combination of 13 additional years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of university degree

• At least 7 years of relevant experience working as a Japanese Swahili translator and/or an interpreter are required;
• Prior technical translation experience in heavy machine operation is advantageous.
• Experience working with Japanese culture is advantageous    

    Skills 

• Translation( 2years)
• Interpretation ( 2 years)
• Supervisory experience ( 2 years)
• Planning (Optional)
• Result Orientation (Optional)
• Report writing (Optional)
• Speech Writing (Optional)
• Team management (Optional)
• Client relations management (Optional)
•  Innovation (Optional)

• Fluency in written and oral Japanese is required.
• Fluency in written and oral English is required.
• Fluency in written and oral Swahili is required.

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.  

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns.
Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.