Japanese - English Interpreter (Retainer), Multiple positions

African peace-keeping locations are increasingly remote, often requiring considerable preparation efforts to enable mission start-up. “Horizontal” engineering activities which include site clearance, levelling and security measures, airfields, roads, both internal and external and helipad construction activities are often one of the initial major challenges in the establishment of peace-keeping missions. 

The Triangular Partnership Project was created as an engineering education programme, bringing United Nations Member States skilled military engineering expertise to provide training to Troop Contributing Country military personnel. Training focuses on practical field skills aimed to assist Troop Contributing Countries in creating and/or improving their own capabilities for supporting peace-keeping missions. The project has been running since 2015 and plans are in place for continued operations in 2019. 

UNOPS engagement in the project has two main aspects scheduled for 2019:

1. Support training activities
2. Support course development

Reporting to the Training Manager, the Japanese Interpreter will provide translation services between Japanese and English.  Whilst it is anticipated that training will be conducted in Nairobi, Kenya, there are possible requirements to travel to provide translation services to support activities in other regions. The Interpreter will provide competent delivery of verbal translation services to the Japanese Instructors and experts.

The duties include;

• Verbal translation between Japanese Instructors and trainees for onsite training, national field trips, regional assessments, ceremonies and public presentations as directed.
• Verbal translation of training schedules, lesson and safety plans and powerpoint presentations as directed.
• Translation support to 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 involved.
• Participation in After Action Review meetings.
• Writing Daily Reports if requested by Instructors.

• Secondary education is required. 
• Technical/Professional Diploma in the relevant field  is an advantage. 
• A Bachelor degree University in the relevant field  is an asset.

• Minimum of six years of relevant experience working as a Japanese English translator and/or an interpreter is required;
• Prior technical translation experience in heavy machine operation is advantageous;
• Experience working with Japanese culture is advantageous;

• Fluency in oral Japanese is required
• Fluency in written and oral English is required
• Fluency in written and oral Swahili is advantageous
• Fluency in written and oral French is advantageous 

• 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 is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.

Working with us

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.

Diversity

With over 4,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.

Background Information – Kenya Multi Country Office (KMCO)

Located in Nairobi, Kenya, the Kenya Multi Country Office manages a growing portfolio of engagements, including associated strategic and operational risks. The KMCO sub-region currently consists of an established Operation Centre in Nairobi/Kenya which manages a portfolio of engagements in multiple countries in East and South Africa. This includes primarily transactional projects in partnership with the Nairobi based UN Agencies, UN-Habitat and UNEP, and multiple ‘operational’ projects in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and several island states.

Through a Nairobi based Technical Services Unit (TSU) UNOPS provides assessment, design and technical oversight services for a range of UNOPS internal and external clients.