Senior Interpreter Assistant

Job Posting Organization:
The job posting organization is UNHCR, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, which was established in 195

• Its mission is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees and displaced persons, ensuring that everyone has the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another state. UNHCR operates in over 130 countries, employing thousands of staff members dedicated to providing assistance and protection to those in need. The organization focuses on providing humanitarian aid, legal assistance, and support for resettlement and integration of refugees into host communities.

Job Overview:
The Senior Interpreter Assistant plays a crucial role in supporting UNHCR's operations by providing translation and interpretation services. This position requires the incumbent to have extensive experience working with UN agencies and foreign embassies, particularly in roles that involve complex and sensitive communication. The Senior Interpreter Assistant will report to higher-level staff and may supervise other Interpreter Assistants. The role involves frequent interaction with refugees and asylum-seekers, necessitating a high level of professionalism and cultural sensitivity. The incumbent will be responsible for interpreting during interviews related to registration, refugee status determination, and resettlement, as well as translating various documents and correspondence. The position demands a strong understanding of legal terminology and the ability to convey nuanced meanings accurately.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Senior Interpreter Assistant include performing oral interpretation during interviews for registration, refugee status determination (RSD), resettlement (RST), and general protection activities. The incumbent will interpret conversations and counselling sessions with refugees and asylum-seekers, including those who are vulnerable or traumatized. Additionally, the Senior Interpreter Assistant will interpret at public meetings and events as required, translate documentation from local languages into English and/or Arabic, and support the RSD-RST unit with coordination and scheduling of interviews. The role also involves assisting caseworkers in contacting persons of concern, traveling with UNHCR staff for field missions, and providing clerical support to RSD, RST, and general protection teams. The incumbent is expected to identify and manage risks, raise concerns to supervisors, and perform other related duties as necessary.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a minimum of 2 years of relevant professional experience, with a High School Diploma or 1 year of relevant work experience with a Bachelor’s degree or higher. Essential skills include cross-cultural communication, computer literacy, and interpretation. The ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds is crucial. Candidates should demonstrate a commitment to UNHCR's core values of professionalism, integrity, and respect for diversity.

Educational Background:
The preferred educational background for this position includes a Bachelor’s degree in English literature or translation, along with an accredited international language certificate, such as the Language Proficiency Examination or an equivalent qualification in English. This educational foundation is essential for effectively translating complex texts and legal documents.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 2 years of professional job experience, particularly in roles that involve interpretation and translation within a humanitarian context. Experience working with UN agencies or similar organizations is highly desirable, and managerial experience would be considered an asset. Candidates should be adept at handling sensitive information and navigating the complexities of refugee and asylum-seeker interactions.

Languages:
Knowledge of English is mandatory, along with proficiency in the UN working language of the duty station, which in this case is Arabic. For national professional jobs, knowledge of the local language is also required. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset but is not mandatory for this position.

Additional Notes:
This position is classified under the UNOPS LICA5 category and is not remote. The target start date for the role is April 1, 202

• The position is full-time and involves working in a challenging environment, as indicated by the hardship level E classification. UNHCR emphasizes a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment, and discrimination, and all staff members are expected to contribute to a safe and respectful workplace. Shortlisted candidates may be required to undergo a written test and/or oral interview as part of the selection process.