Field Interpreter (English/Kurdish Kurmanji) - Individual Contractor

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 is dedicated to ensuring accountability and justice for victims of serious crimes. The organization aims to provide a victim and survivor-centered approach to justice, focusing on inclusivity and thorough investigations. The IIIM is based in Geneva, Switzerland, and works in collaboration with various international bodies and stakeholders to fulfill its mandate.

Job Overview:
The position of Field Interpreter involves providing expert consecutive interpretation services from Kurdish Kurmanji to English and vice versa during sensitive meetings and interviews. The contractor will work independently, ensuring that all interpretations are clear, accurate, and verbatim, especially in high-level discussions where sensitive and confidential information is exchanged. This role is crucial for the IIIM's mission to pursue justice and accountability for victims of serious crimes in Syria. The contractor may be required to engage with traumatized individuals, necessitating a compassionate and professional approach. The work can be conducted remotely, but may also involve travel to various locations in the Middle East or elsewhere, depending on the needs of the organization. This position is part of a Generic Job Opening (GJO), meaning that applications will be pooled for future job openings rather than for immediate hiring.

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

• Providing consecutive interpretation during high-level meetings and sensitive investigative interviews, ensuring accuracy and confidentiality.
• Interpreting for vulnerable victims and survivors of atrocity crimes, requiring a high level of sensitivity and professionalism.
• Engaging with material that may be distressing, necessitating emotional resilience and a strong ethical framework.
• Collaborating with the Operational Support Section (OSS) of the IIIM to meet the organization's obligations and targets.
• Being available for assignments that can range from a minimum of 2 days to up to 10 days, depending on the requirements.
• Potentially traveling at short notice to various locations as required by the IIIM.

Required Qualifications:
The required qualifications for this position include:

• A high school diploma is mandatory.
• At least 50 days of work experience as an interpreter in English/Kurdish Kurmanji.
• Certification in Interpretation in English/Kurdish Kurmanji is desirable.
• Two years of professional experience in interpretation, specifically in Kurdish/Kurmanji/English.
• Experience in consecutive interpretation, particularly in witness interviews, is required.
• Desirable experience includes providing translation for human rights or criminal law investigations, and working with accountability mechanisms.

Educational Background:
Candidates must hold at least a high school diploma. Additional certifications in interpretation, particularly in English and Kurdish Kurmanji, are highly desirable and may enhance the candidate's profile.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of two years of professional experience in interpretation, specifically in the languages required for this position. Experience in consecutive interpretation, especially in sensitive contexts such as witness interviews, is essential. Desirable experience includes working in human rights or criminal law investigations, as well as experience with accountability mechanisms and interpreting for victims of serious crimes.

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 not mandatory.

Additional Notes:
This position is classified as an Individual Contractor role and is not a permanent job opening. The contract duration can vary, with assignments ranging from a minimum of 2 days to a maximum of 10 days, depending on the needs of the IIIM. The position can be performed remotely, but may require travel at short notice. The United Nations emphasizes that it does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, ensuring that applicants are not subjected to any financial obligations.