Translator/ Liaison Assistant

Peace and Security Centre

The UNOPS Peace and Security Centre (PSC) is a principal service provider in the field of mine action with the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS), UNDP, UNICEF, Governments of mine-affected countries and other mine action partners. The Centre is responsible to administer, provide support and oversight of the day-to-day management of the Project Field offices, both according to the client requirements and in line with UNOPS rules and regulations.

It is headed by the Head of the Centre who has the overall authority and accountability for the performance of the Peace and Security Centre on behalf of its clients.

Background Specific – Programme (Libya Mine Action)

On arrival to Libya in April 2011, the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) and international NGOs partnered to form the Joint Mine Action Coordination Team (JMACT), in order to present a coordinated humanitarian mine action response to the Explosive Remnants of War (ERW) threat in Libya during the emergency phase. The role of UNMAS has since expanded to include ammunition and weapons management following the establishment of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) and the inclusion of arms proliferation within the mission’s security sector mandate.

UNMAS Libya office is currently based in Tunis, Tunisia since the evacuation of UNSMIL from Libya in July 2014. The Translator/ Liaison Assistant will work from UNMAS Office in Libya in support of UNMAS activities in Libya.

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the UNOPS Libya Programme Manager/Head of the UNSMIL Arms and Ammunition Advisory Section, the Translator/ Liaison Assistant supports the UNOPS Libya Programme in Libya, by providing communications support to daily programmatic activities. The Translator/ Liaison Assistant is responsible for but not limited to the following duties::

Interpreting and Translation

• Provide high quality consecutive and simultaneous interpretation into Arabic from English and/or from Arabic into English, during meetings with Libyan counterparts, press conferences, UNOPS events and workshops
• Assist Programme team in providing timely translations from Arabic to English and vice versa, in line with United Nations standards and of various types of documents covering a broad range of subject matters dealt with by UNOPS. These documents include: papers produced by UNOPS such as legal and political opinions, activity related documents, official correspondence, draft laws and legislations, and op-eds, press statements, political analyses articles, Programme Manager statements and speeches related to Libya, and Arms and Ammunition Advisory section (AAAS) reports
• Handle/creates social media accounts for UNMAS (e.g. \twitter, Facebook), including the content in both languages, English and Arabic
• Monitor local media outlets and social media and update senior managers on events and trends related to UN, specifically UNMAS and Arms and Ammunition Advisory section (AAAS)
  
  

Liaison and Communication

• Contribute towards the implementation of a communications strategy to promote the relevant business unit, region or project as needed by UNOPS or our partners
• Assist in ensuring consistent branding and visual image of communications products by promoting uniform fonts, formatting, icons, images and layout
• Assist in the planning and implementation of special events
• Provide quality control on major documents with respect to use of language and design
• Build and/or consolidates relationships with key stakeholders needed to disseminate information 
• Performs other related duties as directed by the supervisor.

Education and Relevant Years of Experience:

• A First level University degree (Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent) in English Literature, Language Translation, Business Administration, Project Management, Social Science, Economics or related fields, with a minimum of one (1) year of relevant experience OR
• Secondary School diploma with five (5) years of relevant working experience is required.

Work Experience:

• Relevant experience is defined as experience in liaison, communication, translation, interpretation management or any other relevant field 
• Experience with the United Nations or International NGOs is desired
• Experience working on communication projects for both an internal and external audience is desired
• Experience working in aid or development is desired
• Experience in dealing with local and national institutes (Government, Military and Police etc..) is desired
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Office and/or newer versions) and in the handling of web-based management systems is desired

Language:

• Fluency in English and Arabic (Speaking, reading, and writing) is required
• Knowledge of another UN official language is desired

• This is a local position, therefore only nationals of the country (Libya) will be considered.
• 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.
• Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
• 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.

 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.