Org. Setting and Reporting

These positions are located in the Language Support Unit (LSU), in one of the UN Positions/locations (Sector West) within the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) Area of Operations (AO) and may be subject to future redeployment anywhere in the AO. The incumbents will report to the Chief, Language Support Unit or his/her designate.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Field Language Assistant will be responsible for the following duties:

• Assist in providing clear and concise verbal communication/interpretation, interfacing between the Mission’s representative and local population in support of operations and wider mission activities, such as: accompanying the military members of the contingent on patrols, market march, community support activities, and other activities which may entail travelling in civilian/or military pattern vehicles (Armored Personnel Carriers, Heavy Duty Vehicles, Pickups, 4×4, etc.), at times working in uncomfortable conditions for a long period of time throughout the Area of Operations (AO) from Naqoura to Chebaa Farms.
• Assists in providing clear and concise verbal communication/interpretation, interfacing between the mission’s representative and local population in support of operations and wider mission activities.
• Assists with the translation of documents and communications from/to English covering a broad range of subjects dealt with by the United Nations.
• Liaises with counterparts in other sections relating to scheduling and administrative arrangements.
• Keeps abreast of media news and briefs supervisors and colleagues of relevant contents.
• Assists in drafting routine correspondence for the Supervisor.
• Assists officers with the preparation of drafts, briefing notes and background information.
• Files and retrieves office documents.
• Performs other duties as required.

Competencies

Professionalism: Knowledge of relevant UN rules, regulations, administrative procedures, policies and directives,and of inventory and control guidelines, directives and procedures; Ability to work after working hours, during week-ends and on shift duty; Ability to travel throughout the mission area and to relocate from one location to another; Shows pride in work and in achievements; Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; Is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; Ability to work after working hours, during week-ends and on shift duty; Ability to travel throughout the mission area and to relocate from one location to another; Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; Remains calm in stressful situations; Commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of work.

Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; Asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; Tailors language, tone, style and format to match the audience; Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; Identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

Education

High School diploma or equivalent is required. Good computer skills (Word, Excel, Power Point, Lotus) is a necessity.

Work Experience

A minimum of three (03) years of progressively responsible experience in interpretation /translation services or related area is required. Editing, proofreading and simultaneous interpretation experience is an added value.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English and Arabic (both oral and written) are required. Knowledge of other UN languages is an added value.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise, which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice

Recruitment against this position is on a local basis; applicants in the General Service category shall meet the relevant employment requirements of the host country (Lebanon), including fulfilling visa or work permit stipulations. If you fulfill the visa and work permit stipulations for Lebanon, please specify in your cover letter and attach a copy of your visa and work permit under ‘attachments” of your application in Inspira.

The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

United Nations Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation or sexual abuse, or crimes other than minor traffic offences, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions.

Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.

The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.