Administrative Associate - Legal Translator/Interpreter

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the UN’s global development network, advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. We are on the ground in 166 countries, working with them on their own solutions to global and national development challenges. As they develop local capacity, they draw on the people of UNDP and our wide range of partners.

Job ID/Title :Administrative Associate - Legal Translator/Interpreter
Application Deadline : 28-Nov-11
Duty Station :Ramallah
Languages Required :Arabic, English
Duration of Initial Contract :  6 months with possible extension
Expected Duration of Assignment : 24 months

Background:
UNDP has worked for several years on developing the infrastructure of the Palestinian Authority (PA)’s justice system and has in the past focused on institutional capacity development of the High Judicial Council and the Attorney-General’s Office. Under a new programming framework, Supporting the Rule of Law and Access to Justice for the Palestinian People 2009-2012, which was endorsed by the Minister of Justice and the Minister of Planning and Administrative Development in November 2009, support is being extended for institutional capacity development to the Ministry of Justice and overall development and implementation of a comprehensive access to justice strategy engaging actors at all levels, including Bar Association, civil society organizations and other grassroots initiatives.

As part of this engagement, UNDP has a Technical Specialist based within the PA Ministry of Justice supporting the Ministry to build its institutional capacity. UNDP has other experts on gender/juvenile justice, access to justice as well as an International Chief Technical Specialist/Programme Manager.
This position will be based alongside the Technical Specialist in the Ministry of Justice with primary responsibility to provide translation for all aspects of UNDP’s work within the Ministry including simultaneous/consecutive translation with Ministry staff and written translation of all relevant legal texts. In addition, the Legal Translator will be expected to provide translation assistance for the rest of the programme as requested by the Chief Technical Specialist/Programme Manager.

Description of Responsibilities:
Summary of key functions:

-Translate from English to Arabic and vice versa to support UNDP’s work in the Ministry of Justice and the programme in general.
-Provide oral translation for Technical Specialist in the Ministry of Justice.
-Translate legal documents including policy papers and laws.
-Ensure quality of all translated documents used by the programme team.
-Provide administration assistance to the programme

1-Provide professional interpreting services as required, Arabic to English and English to Arabic, to the programme team and in particular to the Technical Specialist in the Ministry of Justice. Professional and timely legal translation services provided.
2-Provide professional simultaneous interpreting services to facilitate workshops, training events and consultation meetings, Arabic to English/English to Arabic and ensure effective communication with partners. Accurate oral translation provided for all meetings and events.
3-Provide professional translation of technical legal documents, reports, workshop and training material and letters from Arabic to English/English to Arabic as requested. Accurate written translation provided for legal documents produced and received by the programme team.
4-Ensure that the quality of all translation services used by the team are in accordance with best practice. Guarantee all translated documents used by the programme are accurate.
5-Provide administrative support in organization of training events and activities, workshops and other project events, and undertake any other Translation/Interpretation and administrative duties which may be requested.
 
 
Impact of Results

The Administrative Associate- Legal Translator/Interpreter shall guarantee the professional, accurate and timely translation of all legal documents used in the work of the programme team and provide professional oral translation for all relevant meetings, trainings and conferences. She/he will ensure that the team is fully supported on all translation issues.

Competencies :
Corporate Competencies
-Demonstrate integrity by modelling the UN values and ethical standards
-Promote the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP
-Display cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
-Treat all people fairly without favoritism
-Excellent communication and organizational skills

Functional Competencies
Knowledge Management and Learning
-Promote a knowledge-sharing and learning culture in the UNDP office
-Sound knowledge on rule of law issues and legal terminology in Arabic and English
-Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills

Development and Operational Effectiveness
-Ability to provide accurate, efficient and timely oral and written translation to and from Arabic and English on complex rule of law, human rights and security related issues
-Ability to provide both simultaneous and oral legal translation in regular daily meetings and high level meetings and public workshops
-Strong IT skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office software and experience with web-based management systems

Management and Leadership
-Focus on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback
-Demonstrate team-building skills and shows conflict resolution skills
-Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
-Demonstrate strong oral and written communication skills
-Build strong relationships with clients and external actors
-Remain calm, in control and good humored even under pressure
-Demonstrate openness to change and ability to manage complexities
-Demonstrate strong oral and written communication skills
-Communicate effectively with staff at all levels of the organization
-Acts with tact and diplomacy
-Prove outgoing and comfortable in handling external relations at all levels.
-Build strong relationships with clients and external actors.
-Remain calm, in control and good humoured even under pressure.
-Demonstrate openness to change and ability to manage complexities.
-Demonstrate compelling communication skills and cross-cultural effectiveness.
 
Qualifications :
Education:
-Bachelors Degree in English or any other related field. In exceptional cases, extensive professional experience in rule of law/security sector translation will suffice instead of a Degree.
 
Experience:
-7 years of relevant Translation/Interpretation experience is required
-Substantial translation experience in the areas of security, rule of law and human rights required
-Experience translating legislation required

Language Requirements:
-Proficiency in English and Arabic required

UNDP actively supports the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities adopted by the United Nations General Assembly


Important message to all applicants!
-Please be aware that the UNDP/PAPP will review your application only if you have uploaded Personal History Form (P.11) to your application. Please download the form from the following link: http://jobs.undp.ps.
-You will get the opportunity to upload the P-11 at when you apply for the position.
-Incomplete applications or applications received after the closing date will not be given consideration. Please note that only applications that are under consideration will be contacted.
UNDP/PAPP is an equal opportunity employer-
Applications from men and women will be considered equally