National Consultant - Sign Language Interpreter

Job Posting Organization:
UN Women is the United Nations entity dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women. Established in July 2010, UN Women was created as part of the UN reform agenda to consolidate resources and mandates for greater impact in promoting gender equality and women's empowerment. The organization operates globally, with a mission to eliminate discrimination against women and girls, empower women, and achieve equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action, and peace and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security. In Liberia, UN Women focuses on promoting women's human rights and gender equality, which are essential for sustaining stability and development. The organization is involved in various programming areas, including women's leadership and political participation, women's economic empowerment, engagement in peace and security processes, and advancing women's rights to live free from violence. UN Women also coordinates the UN system's joint efforts to advance gender equality and is committed to ensuring accessibility and meaningful participation of persons with disabilities in all its engagements.

Job Overview:
The National Consultant - Sign Language Interpreter will play a crucial role in facilitating communication and ensuring accessibility for Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals during UN Women-supported events. The consultant will provide accurate, professional, and impartial sign language interpretation during various events, including meetings, workshops, trainings, consultations, conferences, and public forums. The consultant will be responsible for interpreting spoken English into Liberian Sign Language and vice versa, ensuring effective communication and understanding among participants. The role requires thorough preparation, including reviewing event agendas and background documents to ensure accurate interpretation. The consultant will also coordinate closely with UN Women’s program and operations teams to confirm schedules and accessibility needs, thereby supporting the organization's efforts to mainstream disability inclusion across its programming and operations. This position is primarily home-based, but the consultant must be available for in-person interpretation at designated UN Women offices and event venues as required.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide accurate and impartial sign language interpretation during UN Women-supported events, including meetings, workshops, trainings, consultations, conferences, and public forums.
• Interpret spoken English into Liberian Sign Language and vice versa as required.
• Review event agendas, background documents, and technical materials in advance to ensure effective and accurate interpretation.
• Ensure appropriate positioning, visibility, and accessibility during in-person, virtual, and hybrid events.
• Maintain confidentiality, neutrality, and professional ethics throughout all assignments.
• Coordinate closely with UN Women program and operations teams to ensure timely delivery of interpretation services.
• Support UN Women’s efforts to mainstream disability inclusion and accessibility standards across its programming and operations.
• Consolidate a summary of interpretation services delivered during the contract period, including the number of assignments and total days/sessions worked.
• Report to and work under the direct supervision of the Deputy Country Representative, in close collaboration with the UN Women Liberia Country Office.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Sign Language Interpretation, Linguistics, Communication, Education of the Deaf, or a related field is required.
• A master’s degree or postgraduate qualification in a relevant field is an asset.
• Professional certification as a sign language interpreter from a nationally or internationally recognized body (e.g., WASLI, RID, or national equivalent) is required.
• Additional training or certification in conference interpretation or specialized domains (legal, medical, development) is a strong advantage.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to interact professionally with Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals, event organizers, and diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to interpret technical, policy, and development-related discussions.
• Cultural sensitivity and respect for persons with disabilities.
• Reliability, punctuality, and adaptability.
• Technical expertise and demonstrated proficiency and command of specialized terminology in human rights, gender equality, and development contexts. 1
• Knowledge of accessibility standards, Deaf culture, and best practices in inclusive communication and event management.

Educational Background:
The position requires a Bachelor's degree in Sign Language Interpretation, Linguistics, Communication, Education of the Deaf, or a related field. A master’s degree or postgraduate qualification in a relevant field is considered an asset. Additionally, professional certification as a sign language interpreter from a recognized body is mandatory, and further training in conference interpretation or specialized domains is advantageous.

Experience:
Candidates must have at least 5 years of progressively responsible experience providing professional sign language interpretation services in high-level settings such as conferences, government or intergovernmental meetings, trainings, or media productions. Experience working in international development, human rights, or United Nations contexts is required, along with a proven track record of providing remote/virtual sign language interpretation. Experience interpreting gender equality, women's rights, or disability rights forums is strongly desirable. Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work independently and as part of a team with a strong results orientation are essential.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required, as well as fluency in the National Sign Language (NSL) of the duty station country. Proficiency in International Sign (IS) is considered a strong asset, enhancing the consultant's ability to communicate effectively in diverse settings.

Additional Notes:
The duration of this consultancy assignment is set for 180 days, with the potential for up to 36 months of work assignments, tentatively scheduled from June 1, 2026, to May 31, 202

• This position is primarily home-based, but the consultant is expected to be physically present at designated UN Women offices and event venues when in-person sign language interpretation is required. Remote simultaneous interpretation (RSI) via approved digital platforms may also be utilized for virtual events. Travel within the country may be required for events held outside the duty station, with prior approval and in accordance with UN Women travel policies. International travel, if required, will be agreed upon on a case-by-case basis. Payment will be made in accordance with UN Women rules and regulations, based on actual days/sessions of interpretation services delivered under the retainer agreement and upon certification of satisfactory performance.