Translator for Hebrew (Middle East WMD-Free Zone Project)

General Information

Supervisor: Confirmation of satisfactory service delivery by the ME WMDFZ Project Coordinator

Terms of engagement: 12-month period from issuance of contract.

Proposed remuneration: Standard translation work: USD 8 / 100 words (USD 0.08/word), not to exceed 100,000 words, up to a maximum of USD 8,000. 

Payment terms: Upon submission of monthly invoices indicating 1. UNIDIR activity for which work was performed; 2. Exact title or description of work; 3. Number of words for each individual work assignment.

Affiliation: Non-Resident Individual Contractor with no travel requirement.

Responsibilities of the Individual Contractor and schedule of proposed work

The United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR) is an autonomous institution within the United Nations that conducts independent research on disarmament and related problems, particularly international security issues. The vision of UNIDIR is a stable and more secure world in which States and people are protected from the threat of arms-related violence. The role of UNIDIR is to support Member States, the United Nations and policy and research communities in advancing ideas and actions that contribute to a more sustainable and peaceful world. UNIDIR is based in the Palais des Nations, Geneva.

UNIDIR’s Middle East Weapons of Mass Destruction Free Zone (ME WMDFZ) Project is looking for a Translator to assist with translation and to support the implementation of project activities, with a major focus on translating the team’s publications to Hebrew. The ME WMDFZ Project has four objectives:

1. Assisting in mitigating regional WMD proliferation trends;
2. Encouraging regional security arrangements and arms control, non-proliferation, and disarmament norms and processes; 
3. Developing a more in-depth understanding of the relationship between the ME WMDFZ and current regional and international developments; and 
4. Promoting an effective, verifiable, inclusive, and sustainable ME WMDFZ. 

Under the direct supervision of the Project Coordinator, the Translator will perform the following duties:

• Translate materials from English into Hebrew and from Hebrew into English ensuring that all deadlines are met.
• Produce self-revised translations and revise documents translated by others when required.
• Provide accurate, faithful and timely translation of documents into the target language, including by referring to terms commonly used in international, legal documents. Respect the source layout when required.
• Liaise with colleagues who have translation responsibilities in order to ensure good quality translation as well as the use of preferred UN terminology and reference material.
• Proofread UNIDIR content in Hebrew (as relevant) to ensure it is accurate and conforms with the English content. 
• Perform other duties as requested by the supervisor.

Performance Indicators

The Individual Contractor will be evaluated at the end of this contract. Performance indicators include:

1. Outputs are delivered on time; their quality and impact are considered satisfactory by the ME WMDFZ Project Coordinator.
2. Engagement is professional, team oriented and positive.
3. The Individual Contractor demonstrates the core values of the UN (Professionalism, Integrity, and Respect for Diversity) in the discharge of their duties.

Qualifications and Experience

Education 

First-level university degree preferably in international relations, political science, history, Middle East studies, or international law experience is desirable. Two years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of university degree. 

Work Experience 

• A minimum of Two (2) years of translation English into Hebrew and from Hebrew into English experience are required;
• Demonstrated experience/interest in Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) arms control, disarmament, and non-proliferation and/or Middle East studies will be considered an asset;
• Experience in translating UN international legal documents pertaining to arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation in the Middle East highly desirable;
• Organization and coordination skills;
• Ability to work with computer and office software packages (MS Office 2003 and/or newer versions)
• Some experience in UN system organizations is desirable.

Language(s)

For this assignment, fluency in Hebrew and English (both written and oral) is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is desirable.

Competencies

In addition, in this role, the Individual Contractor will demonstrate the following competences:

Planning & Organizing:  Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.

Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.

Teamwork:  Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

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 audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

Confidentiality 

All internal discussions pertaining to UNIDIR’s work are confidential. The Individual Contractor will sign a separate confidentiality clause. 

Property Rights

The United Nations shall be entitled to all intellectual property and other proprietary rights including, but not limited to, patents, copyrights, and trademarks, with regard to products, processes, inventions, ideas, know-how, or documents and other materials which the Contractor has developed for the United Nations under the Contract and which bear a direct relation to or are produced or prepared or collected in consequence of, or during the course of, the performance of the Contract, and the Contractor acknowledges and agrees that such products, documents and other materials constitute works made for hire for the United Nations. However, to the extent that any such intellectual property or other proprietary rights consist of any intellectual property or other proprietary rights of the Contractor: (a) that pre-existed the performance by the Contractor of its obligations under the Contract, or (b) that the Contractor may develop or acquire, or may have developed or acquired, independently of the performance of its obligations under the Contract, the United Nations does not and shall not claim any ownership interest thereto, and the Contractor grants to the United Nations a perpetual license to use such intellectual property or other proprietary right solely for the purposes of and in accordance with the requirements of the Contract. At the request of the United Nations, the Contractor shall take all necessary steps, execute all necessary documents and generally assist in securing such proprietary rights and transferring or licensing them to the United Nations in compliance with the requirements of the applicable law and of the Contract. Subject to the foregoing provisions, all maps, drawings, photographs, mosaics, plans, reports, estimates, recommendations, documents, and all other data compiled by or received by the Contractor under the Contract shall be the property of the United Nations, shall be made available for use or inspection by the United Nations at reasonable times and in reasonable places, shall be treated as confidential, and shall be delivered only to United Nations authorized officials on completion of work under the Contract. 

The general conditions of contracts for the services of consultants or individual contractors are annexed to the UNIDIR contract document and form an integral part of the contract document.