Responsibilities of the Consultant and schedule of proposed work
The United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR) is an autonomous institution within the United Nations (UN) 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 UN 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 Persian. The ME WMDFZ Project has four objectives:
- Assist in mitigating regional WMD proliferation trends
- Encouraging regional security arrangements and arms control, non-proliferation and disarmament norms and processes
- Developing a more in-depth understanding of the relationship between the ME WMDFZ and current regional and international developments
- 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 to Persian and from Persian to 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 Persian (as relevant) to ensure it is accurate and conforms with the English content.
- Perform other duties as requested by the supervisor.
Performance indicators
The Consultant will be evaluated at the end of this contract. Performance indicators include:
- Timely delivery of outputs, with quality and impact assessed as satisfactory by the ME WMDFZ Project Coordinator.
- Professional, team-oriented and positive engagement throughout the assignment.
- Demonstration of the UN’s core values (Professionalism, Integrity, and Respect for Diversity) in the discharge of duties.
Upon submission of monthly invoices detailing the UNIDIR activity for which the work was performed, the exact title or description of each task, and the number of words for each individual work assignment, the consultant will be compensated accordingly. The consultant will serve as a non-resident Consultant with no travel requirement. The ME WMDFZ Project Coordinator will serve as the consultant’s supervisor and confirm satisfactory service delivery.
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 one year of experience in translating from English into Persian and from Persian into English is required.
- Demonstrated experience or 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 is highly desirable.
- Organization and coordination skills are required.
- 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 Persian and English (both written and oral) is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is desirable.
Competencies
In addition, the Consultant is also expected to demonstrate the following competencies:
Planning and organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate time and resources to complete 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 honors commitments; delivers outputs 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 their 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 decisions, even when such decisions may not fully reflect their 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, and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify and demonstrates interest in two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to suit the audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
Confidentiality
All internal discussions pertaining to UNIDIR’s work are confidential. The Consultant will be required to sign a separate confidentiality clause.
Property rights
The UN 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 UN 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 UN. 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 UN does not and shall not claim any ownership interest thereto, and the Contractor grants to the UN 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 UN, 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 UN 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 UN, shall be made available for use or inspection by the UN at reasonable times and in reasonable places, shall be treated as confidential and shall be delivered only to UN 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 document.
To apply
The applicant should submit:
- A cover letter
- CV or UN Personal History Profile (PHP) created via Inspira
- Name and contact details of three reference
Applications should be sent as email attachments, with the subject line ‘Application: MEWMDFZ – Non-Resident Translator (Persian)‘ to unidir.recruitment@un.org. No applications will be accepted by post. Deadline for submission of applications is 4 April, 2025. Closing date is midnight Geneva time.
Please note that due to the high volume of applications received, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Should you move forward in the process, you may be contacted for further assessment.
UNIDIR promotes the core values of the UN: Integrity, Professionalism and Respect for Diversity. Women are encouraged to apply.
Contact details
For any queries regarding the above, please contact:
Anne-Laure Souissi-Sans
Project Coordinator, ME WMDFZ
1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland