Associate Interpreter Officer

Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)

E (most hardship)Non Family with Residential LocationUNOPS IICA12025-01-01December 30, 20241. General Background

Niamey is a non-family duty station (D classification) with 8-week R&R cycle. There are several supermarkets where local and foreign goods are available and expatriates frequent several restaurants offering Turkish, Lebanese, Chinese, French, Italian and other foods. Very limited educational services are available. There is a UN Clinic with limited clinic materials and the Medical Section in Geneva after assessing the medical facilities has recommended two clinics safely accessible by UNHCR staff and family members. However, it`s very poor. Most of travels within the country are undertaken regularly through UNHAS flights and some of them are reachable by car. The accommodations with minimum standards are available in the field offices. There are several banks and ATM available in the capital but most of the time out of service and provided a limited amount to withdraw. There are 3 seasons in Niger: rainy (June-Sept), cool (Oct-Feb), and very hot (March-May). The communication by the mobile is acceptable. Housing conditions are becoming more difficult due to untimely power cuts, and the very high price of rent including advances of 3 to 4 months advance payment. The 2018 Finance law impacts the cost of most purchases Security Considerations: Security level is 3 in Niamey. Due to actual terrorist threat of kidnapping and armed attacks against convoy in south of Niamey Region, any mission should move under armed escorts between 8:00 to 17:00. Despite tension around its borders, with military operations taking place regularly, Niamey remains reasonably stable, due to criminality staff members are discouraged from walking in the streets, taking taxis, staying out late at night and visiting public places alone. Almost no red zone exists but in fact staffs should reside in a certain perimeter around the assembly or concentration point. Pertaining to civil unrest and disturbances, the situation can be volatile and unpredictable in Niamey. In addition, the public unrest, materialized by meeting/ marches, regular sit-ins and roadblocks has become recurring. Personal security arrangements are highly recommended over the security measures set up. In Niamey, there is neither curfew nor state of emergency measures, but there are authorized travel times, weekly radio control and security advisories broadcasts. Security Clearance is required and can be requested via TRIP at https://dss.un.org. Requests for clearance should be submitted 7 days prior travel.


2. Purpose and Scope of Assignment

The UN Refugee Agency acting within its mandate of protecting persons in need of international protection has begun the evacuation of persons of concern at high risk. The partner organization COOPI provides assistance to these persons of concern. Most of these evacuees come from the Horn of Africa (Eritrea, Somalia, and Ethiopia) and are victims of human trafficking, smuggling and severe human rights violations on their way towards Europe.

These evacuees will be temporarily hosted in Niger, where their needs and vulnerabilities will be assessed, and their case processed in view of finding durable solutions. Assistance, psychosocial support, and medical screening will be made available to ensure they receive adequate follow up of their protection needs stemming from their experiences before arrival in Niger.

The city of Niamey hosts nearly 5,000 refugees fleeing political and security crises in certain countries such as Mali, Burkina Faso, Sudan, the Central African Republic, Nigeria, to Niger in search of safety and alternative solutions to their well-being. Thus, almost all refugees, especially Malians, come from Francophone countries.


3. Monitoring and Progress Controls
(Clear description of measurable outputs, milestones, key performance indicators and/or reporting requirements which will enable performance monitoring)

The Interpreter will be assigned to work with one of the ETM/Protection Units, and protection Officer of Niamey Field Office namely either Child Protection/BID, RSD, Resettlement, or Field (Protection)/Community Services. The interpreter will report to the Head of the relevant Unit.

The Interpreter and Translator will provide operational support to registration, protection, refugee status determination, resettlement, child protection/BID, and field staff of UNHCR and to the staff of partner organizations through language support services for evacuees and other refugees and asylum seekers leaving in Niamey. The Interpreter will translate oral statements between English/French and Tigrinya, Arabic for reception, registration, RSD, RST, BID interviews, and cultural orientation training as well as for counselling sessions. The interpreter/translation may be asked to translate written documents or statements as necessary.

Major Responsibilities:
• Act as an interpreter during Reception & Orientation, Registration, RSD, RST and BID interviews, training, and counselling, including health and psychological counselling, for UNHCR Niger and partner organizations as assigned by planning.
• Translate documents from target languages (Tigrinya, Arabic) to French and/or English language and vice versa as necessary.

In the performance of his/her duties the interpreter must abide by relevant standards. Particularly:

• The interpreter is required to read, understand, and comply with UNHCR’s Code of Conduct and realizes that he/she shall be expected to work in the spirit of the principles set forth therein.
• The interpreter is required to read and understand the Undertaking of Confidentiality and Impartiality and understands that he shall be expected to respect the principle of confidentiality and remain impartial in his/her work.
• The interpreter is required to read and understand and agree to abide by the standards of conduct set forth in the Secretary-General’s Bulletin, ST/SGB/2003/13 of 9 October 2003, concerning “Special measures for protection from sexual exploitation and sexual abuse”.

The results achieved by the interpreter and translator will be mainly assessed through the staff satisfaction of services rendered, including reference to the standards mentioned above. In addition, the number of activities facilitated or conducted will serve as indicator, in accordance with the overall workplan of the protection, RSD, RST, BID and field staff as well as the partner organizations’ staff.

4. Qualifications and Experience

a. Education (Level and area of required and/or preferred education)
Bachelor's degree

Required Degree Level: Bachelor’s degree.

b. Work Experience

• Minimum 3 years of professional experience as an interpreter and/or translator in the languages covered by these terms of reference for bachelor’s holders and minimum 2 years for master’s holders (required)
• Experience working for a humanitarian organization or related activities (Desirable)

 
c. Key Competencies
  
• Excellent communication skills (speaking and written) (Required)
• Strong organizational skills, including attention to details (Required)
• Strong observation and feedback skills. (Required)
• Flexible and willing to learn and take on new tasks. (Required)
• Able to juggle multiple tasks simultaneously. (Required)
• Mature, positive attitude and able to work under pressure. (Required)
• Ability to work in multicultural environments and respect for diversity (Required)
• High level of integrity and professionalism (Required)

d. Other skills

Computer skills:

• Thorough knowledge of computer software (e.g., Word, Excel, Email, Internet).

Language skills

• Fluent in English and/or French both oral and written (essential).
• Fluent in one or more of the following languages: Tigrinya, Amharic, Sudanese Arabic, Somali, oral and written (essential).
• Ability to type in English and target language(s)

 

Standard Job Description

Required Languages

English

,

Amharic

,

Tigrinya

Desired Languages

French

,

,

Additional Qualifications

Skills

Education

Bachelor of Arts (BA): International Humanitarian Law (Required)

Certifications

Translation and Interpretation

Other information

This position doesn't require a functional clearance

Home-Based

No