Consecutive Interpreter (Kurdish Kurmanji to English)

Job Posting Organization:
The International Impartial and Independent Mechanism (IIIM) was established to assist in the investigation and prosecution of individuals responsible for the most serious crimes under law" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">international law committed in the Syrian Arab Republic since March 201

• The IIIM operates under the auspices of the United Nations and aims to ensure accountability and justice for victims of serious crimes. The organization is dedicated to a victim and survivor-centered approach, emphasizing the importance of inclusivity and justice in its operations. The IIIM is based in Geneva, Switzerland, and works with various stakeholders to fulfill its mandate.

Job Overview:
The position of Consecutive Interpreter involves providing expert interpretation services during high-level meetings and sensitive discussions, particularly in the context of investigations related to serious crimes in Syria. The contractor will be responsible for interpreting sensitive and confidential information, ensuring that the interpretation meets the standards required for use in national or international courts. This role is crucial in facilitating communication between parties involved in sensitive discussions, including vulnerable victims who may have experienced trauma. The contractor must be able to work independently and may be required to travel at short notice to various locations in the Middle East or elsewhere, depending on the needs of the IIIM. The assignment duration can range from a minimum of 1 day to a maximum of 10 days, depending on the specific requirements of the meetings or interviews.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The primary duties and responsibilities of the Consecutive Interpreter include:

• Providing clear and accurate consecutive interpretation from Kurdish Kurmanji to English and vice versa during high-level meetings and sensitive investigative interviews.
• Ensuring that all interpretations are conducted with the utmost confidentiality and sensitivity, particularly when dealing with traumatized victims.
• Engaging with material and information that may be distressing, while maintaining professionalism and composure.
• Collaborating with the Operational Support Section (OSS) of the IIIM to meet the organization's obligations and targets related to justice and accountability.
• Being prepared to travel at short notice to various locations as required for the assignment.
• Adhering to the ethical standards and guidelines set forth by the United Nations in all aspects of the interpretation process.

Required Qualifications:
The required qualifications for this position include:

• A first-level university degree (Bachelor or equivalent) in a language-related field, or a first-level degree combined with at least 50 days of work experience as an interpreter in English/Kurdish Kurmanji.
• Certification in Kurdish Kurmanji is desirable.
• A minimum of five years of professional experience in interpretation, specifically in Kurdish/Kurmanji and English.
• Experience in consecutive interpretation, particularly in witness interviews in Arabic/English, is required.
• Desirable experience includes providing translation for human rights or criminal law investigations, working with accountability mechanisms, and interpreting for victims and survivors of atrocity crimes.

Educational Background:
Candidates must hold a first-level university degree (Bachelor or equivalent) in a language-related field. Alternatively, applicants may qualify with a first-level degree and a minimum of 50 days of relevant work experience as an interpreter in English/Kurdish Kurmanji. Certification in Kurdish Kurmanji is considered an asset and may enhance the candidate's qualifications for the role.

Experience:
Candidates are required to have a minimum of five years of professional experience in interpretation, specifically in the languages of Kurdish/Kurmanji and English. This experience should include consecutive interpretation, particularly in sensitive contexts such as witness interviews. Additional desirable experience includes working in human rights or criminal law investigations, as well as interpreting for victims and survivors of serious crimes. Experience working within a team in the field is also beneficial.

Languages:
Fluency in English and Kurdish-Kurmanji is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of Arabic is desirable, as it may enhance communication in certain contexts. Additionally, knowledge of Kurdish-Sorani is also considered a plus, although it is not mandatory.

Additional Notes:
This position is remote, and the contractor may be required to travel at short notice to various locations as needed. The expected duration of assignments can range from a minimum of 1 day to a maximum of 10 days, depending on the specific requirements of the IIIM. It is important to note that the United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, including application, interview, or training. The organization is committed to diversity and inclusion, welcoming applicants regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds, or disabilities.