Associate Interpreter

Job Posting Organization:
The Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar (the Mechanism) was established by the Human Rights Council in its resolution 39/2, adopted on 27 September 2018, to investigate serious international crimes such as crimes against humanity, war crimes, and genocide, as well as other violations of law" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">international law. The creation of the Mechanism was welcomed by the General Assembly in its resolution 73/264, adopted on 22 December 201

• The Mechanism operates under the auspices of the United Nations and aims to ensure accountability for human rights violations in Myanmar, providing a crucial service in the context of ongoing conflicts and humanitarian crises. The organization is committed to upholding international law and human rights standards, and it works collaboratively with various stakeholders to achieve its mission. The Mechanism is based in Geneva, Switzerland, and is part of a broader UN effort to address human rights abuses globally.

Job Overview:
The Associate Interpreter position is integral to the Language Support Services Section of the Mechanism, where the incumbent will provide essential interpretation services during both internal and external meetings. This role requires a high level of proficiency in interpreting from the Myanmar language (Burmese) into English and vice versa, as well as potentially other languages used in Myanmar, such as Chin, Kachin, Rakhine, Rohingya, and Shan. The Associate Interpreter will also assist in producing accurate translations and transcriptions of various documents, including witness statements and public outreach materials. This position demands not only linguistic skills but also the ability to work collaboratively with a diverse team, ensuring that all communications are clear, accurate, and in line with UN practices. The role is expected to contribute to the development of interpretation and translation policies, ensuring that the Mechanism's work is supported by high-quality language services. The Associate Interpreter will report directly to the Editor in the Language Support Services Section and will be expected to maintain a high level of professionalism and confidentiality in all tasks.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Associate Interpreter include, but are not limited to:

• Providing interpretation services during meetings, ensuring accurate and idiomatic communication between participants.
• Assisting in the translation and transcription of written and oral materials from the Myanmar language and other relevant languages into English and vice versa.
• Attending meetings as part of a team, taking detailed notes from statements made in the languages of competence or from interpretations, and using these notes to produce draft records.
• Consulting and coordinating with associate translators, revisers, editors, analysts, investigators, and legal officers to ensure conformity with UN practices and internal protocols.
• Contributing to the development of interpretation and translation policies and practices, and addressing any ambiguities or errors in the work produced.
• Performing additional duties as directed by the supervisor and the Head/Deputy Head of the Mechanism, demonstrating flexibility and a willingness to adapt to the needs of the organization.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a strong knowledge of interpretation rules and procedures, with the ability to provide rapid, accurate, and idiomatic interpretation services. Familiarity with language services workflow, including interpretation, translation, editing, and proofreading, is essential. Candidates should also have experience with translation memory software and the ability to work with both ZawGyi and Unicode fonts. A high level of concentration, attention to detail, and the ability to maintain confidentiality are critical. Candidates should demonstrate professional competence, efficiency in meeting commitments, and a commitment to gender perspectives in their work.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in languages, social sciences, law, or related fields is required. Alternatively, a first-level degree in one of these fields combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. This educational background ensures that candidates have a solid foundation in the relevant disciplines necessary for effective interpretation and translation work.

Experience:
A minimum of two years of experience in interpreting and translating from the Myanmar language (Burmese) into English and vice versa is required. Experience with other languages used in Myanmar, such as Chin, Kachin, Rakhine, Rohingya, and Shan, is desirable. Additionally, experience translating legal documents and providing interpretation or translation services in support of criminal investigations is also desirable, as it aligns with the Mechanism's focus on serious international crimes and human rights violations.

Languages:
English and Burmese are required working languages for this position. Candidates must demonstrate proficiency at UN Level II in both reading and writing for these languages. Additionally, proficiency in either Kachin, Rakhine, Haka-Chin, Rohingya, or Shan is desirable, with a minimum proficiency level of UN Level I in these languages being preferred.

Additional Notes:
This position is temporarily available until 31 December 2026 and is funded through extra-budgetary resources. If the selected candidate is a current staff member of the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment. The appointment and renewal of this position are subject to the availability of funds and budgetary approval. This temporary assignment provides an opportunity for the successful applicant to gain new work experience, but it does not guarantee future employment in the same position. The eligibility for this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station, and it may be restricted to 'internal candidates' who have been recruited through a competitive examination or selection process. The United Nations is committed to diversity and inclusion in its workforce and does not charge any fees during the recruitment process.