Freelance Interpreter (English/Arabic/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 committed to a victim and survivor-centered approach and works towards inclusive justice. The IIIM is based in Geneva, Switzerland, and engages with various stakeholders to fulfill its mandate.

Job Overview:
The position of Freelance Interpreter involves providing high-quality consecutive interpretation services during sensitive meetings and discussions, particularly in the context of investigations related to serious crimes in Syria. The contractor will be expected to interpret sensitive and confidential information accurately and clearly, adhering to standards suitable for national or international courts. This role requires flexibility in work hours, including weekends and evenings, and may involve travel at short notice to various locations in the Middle East or elsewhere. The contractor will be part of the Operational Support Section (OSS) of the IIIM, contributing to the organization's mission of pursuing justice and accountability for victims of serious crimes. The role is designed to build a pool of qualified candidates for future assignments, with the expectation of working independently and effectively in high-pressure environments.

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

• Providing consecutive interpretation from Arabic to English and vice versa during high-level meetings, interviews, and discussions.
• Ensuring accurate and clear interpretation of sensitive and confidential information, particularly in the context of human rights investigations.
• Engaging with traumatized and vulnerable victims during interviews, requiring a compassionate and professional approach.
• Adapting to various working conditions, including remote work, hybrid arrangements, or in-person meetings as required.
• Being available for travel at short notice to various locations, particularly in the Middle East, to fulfill interpretation needs.
• Maintaining confidentiality and professionalism at all times, especially when dealing with distressing material.
• Contributing to the IIIM's mandate of pursuing justice and accountability through effective communication and interpretation.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a first-level university degree (Bachelor or equivalent) in translation, interpretation, languages, or a related field. Alternatively, a combination of a first-level university degree and two additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the degree. Candidates should have a minimum of five years of professional experience in interpretation, specifically in English and Arabic, with a focus on consecutive interpretation. Experience in human rights or criminal law investigations is desirable, as is familiarity with accountability mechanisms and interpreting for victims of atrocity crimes.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a first-level university degree (Bachelor's degree or equivalent) in translation, interpretation, languages, or any other language-related field. Candidates with a combination of a relevant degree and additional work experience may also be considered. This educational foundation is essential for ensuring the candidate's proficiency in interpretation and understanding of the complexities involved in sensitive discussions.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of five years of professional experience in interpretation, specifically between English and Arabic. Candidates should have experience in consecutive interpretation, particularly in contexts involving witness interviews and sensitive discussions. Experience working with human rights or criminal law investigations is highly desirable, as is familiarity with accountability mechanisms. Additionally, candidates with experience interpreting for victims and survivors of serious crimes will be preferred. Experience working in the MENA region or Syria is also advantageous.

Languages:
Fluency in Arabic is mandatory, as it must be the candidate's main language. Proficiency in English is also required, given that it is one of the working languages of the Secretariat. Knowledge of French is beneficial but not mandatory. Candidates must demonstrate their language skills through a minimum 250-word essay in Arabic as part of their application.

Additional Notes:
This position is classified as a generic job opening (GJO) aimed at building a talent pool for future freelance interpreter vacancies. The expected duration of assignments can range from a minimum of one day to a maximum of ten days, depending on the specific engagement. Flexibility in work hours is essential, as assignments may require work during evenings and weekends. The United Nations emphasizes that it does not charge any fees during the recruitment process and is committed to diversity and inclusion in its hiring practices.