UNDP Jobs - 84181- National Consultant (Translator/Interpreter) UNDP-

National Consultant (Translator/Interpreter) UNDP-LOTFA-TSM, Kabul Afghanistan

Location :

Kabul, AFGHANISTAN

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

02-Apr-19 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

National Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

9 months (with maximum 198 working days)

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

UNDP Global Mission Statement:

The UNDP is the UN’s global development network - an organization connecting people around the world to knowledge, experience and resources to help build a better life. UNDP is on the ground in 166 countries, working with national counterparts to develop in-country solutions to national and global development challenges.

UNDP Afghanistan Mission Statement:

UNDP supports stabilization, state-building, governance and development priorities in Afghanistan. In partnership with the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (GIROA), other UN agencies, the donor community and other development stakeholders, UNDP has contributed to institutional development designed to positively impact the daily lives of Afghan citizens.

Over the years, UNDP has impacted on milestone efforts, including: the adoption of the Afghanistan Constitution; Presidential, Parliamentary and Provincial Council elections; and capacity-building for the legislative, judicial and executive arms of the State, including Ministries, Government agencies and commissions at the national and sub-national levels. Moreover, major demobilization, disarmament, rehabilitation (DDR) and area-based livelihoods and reconstruction programmes have been implemented nationwide.

UNDP Afghanistan is committed to the highest standards of transparency and accountability and works in close coordination with the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and the UN system to maximize the impact of its development efforts on the ground. Importantly, UNDP programmes in Afghanistan have benefited from the very active support of donors.

Based on consultations between UNDP, the GIROA and donors conducted during 2017, a growing view emerged that the scope of LOTFA should be expanded to include the entire justice chain (police, courts and prisons) and cover all institutions across the entire Rule of Law sector, with an increased focus on anti-corruption. Simultaneously, the LOTFA structure has been revised to bring it more in line with international standards and best practices on Trust Fund management and administration. Consequently, it is proposed that LOTFA will be administered through UN Multi-Partner Trust Fund (MPTF) modalities from the first quarter of 2019 i.e. multi-partner financing instruments that quickly move from commitment to action to results, helping those most in need

The new Trust Fund Terms of Reference (TOR) and Strategic Framework have been approved by the LOTFA Steering Committee. As the revised LOTFA TOR becomes effective, management arrangements for the Trust Fund will be finalized.

Organizational context of this position

Since 2001, The Law and Order Trust Fund for Afghanistan (LOTFA) has been funding police salaries, improving police capacity and developing systems within the Ministry of Interior Affairs (MOIA) and will continue to do so through a number of new projects. To facilitate these projects an experienced Police Advisory Team (PAT) has been formed, headed by a Senior Police Expert, under the TSM Project and the UNDP’s Rule of Law & Human Security (ROLHS) Unit. The team and short-term expert consultants (who will be attached to the PAT on a needs-basis) will provide technical direction for each of the projects - in close coordination with the MOIA/ANP and international partners.

To work effectively and efficiently, the PAT requires an experienced interpreter/translator to join the team.

Duties and Responsibilities

Key Functions

Translations and interpretations as detailed below.

Carry out translation requirements, as follows:

Translate correspondence, concepts, reports and any other project documents from Dari into English and vice versa (English into Dari);
Translate relevant documents of international origin from English into Dari and vice versa (Dari into English) as required;
Submit translations in word processed documents;

Proofread and edit translated and other documents;
Ensure accuracy of policing and associated terminology used in the documents (with the support of the PAT);

Provide any other translation services (including consecutive and simultaneous translation), as requested by the PAT;
File all translated documents properly in hard and soft copy;
Provide administrative and operational support associated to translation requirements on a needs-basis.

Note: ability to translate correspondence, briefs, drafts, reports and any other project documents from Pashto into English and vice versa English into Pashto would be an asset.

Provide interpretation services to PAT and associated consultants, as follows:

Provide technical advice regarding interpretation requirements;
Interpretation at meetings, workshops, presentations and other project events from English into Dari and vice versa;
Provide interpretation services on field trips outside Kabul;
Carry out other relevant tasks related to interpretation as requested by the PAT.
Note: Ability to Interpret from English into Pashto and vice versa would be an asset.

EXPECTED DELIVERABLES & PAYMENT SCHEDULE

Payments under the contract shall be delivery-based and be made on receipt of the delivered services as indicated above, including a timesheet completed according to accepted UNDP procurement formats for individual contractors. The draft reports will be reviewed by the Senior Police Expert and approved by the TSM Project Manager. The payments will be paid upon the full completion and acceptance of contractual obligations, as accepted by the TSM Project Manager.

Payments will be made in installments, upon completion and acceptance of the following deliverables:

Deliverable 1 (20 days, 11%): Provision of translation/interpretation services, as required;

Deliverable 2 (20 days, 11%): Provision of translation/interpretation services, as required;

Deliverable 3 (20 days, 11%): Provision of translation services, as required;

Deliverable 4 (20 days, 11%): Provision of translation services, as required;

Deliverable 5 (20 days, 11%): Provision of translation services, as required;

Deliverable 6 (20 days, 11%): Provision of translation services, as required;

Deliverable 7 (20 days, 11%): Provision of translation services, as required;

Deliverable 8 (20 days, 11%): Provision of translation services, as required;

Deliverable 9 (20 days, 12%): Provision of translation services, as required.

Institutional Arrangements

The National Consultant will work under the overall supervision of the TSM Project Manager and direct supervision of the Senior Police Expert – supported with technical direction by the PAT.

The ROLHS Unit and the TSM Project will provide office space, internet, logistical and other support services including transport and security for UNDP national personnel. However, the consultant is expected to bring his/her own laptop and mobile phone and meet local communications costs (ROLHS Unit will provide a local pre-paid SIM card). Costs to arrange meetings, workshops, travel costs and Daily Subsistence Allowance (DSA) during field visits (if any), etc. shall be covered by the TSM Project.

Duration of the Work

The deliverables under this contract shall be completed within 9 months after the signing of the contract, including all preparation work and on-site visits.

Duty Station

Work will be carried out in-country. The duty station for the contractor is Kabul, Afghanistan. The TSM Project will cover expenses of all official field missions within or outside the country, upon receiving the prior approval from the TSM Project Manager. When in Kabul, the contractor will be based at the TSM MOIA office or the ROLHS Unit (UNOCA) during working hours, security conditions permitting.

The contractor will follow the working hours and weekends applicable to UNDP Country Office (CO) staff. The contractor’s movement for meetings and consultations shall be coordinated by the ROLHS Unit and the TSM Project. The contractor is at all times required to observe UNDP security rules and regulations.

Competencies

Core competencies:

Demonstrates commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values;
Promotes ethics and integrity;

Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Creates and promotes an environment for open communications;

Results oriented, strong team player with excellent interpersonal skills;
Ability to establish substantive professional relationships with all stakeholders;
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;

Ability to work independently;
Shares knowledge across the organization – contributing to a culture of knowledge sharing and learning;

Experience in results-based management and results oriented approach to project implementation is an asset;
Experience with the UN system a strong asset;
Familiarity with conflict environments is an asset.

Note: Qualified female candidates are highly encouraged to apply.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

At least bachelor’s degree in Humanities, with English as a subject, or other relevant field; MA degree in mentioned field will be an advantage.
Certification in English translation from a recognised institute for foreign languages will be an advantage.
Experience:
Minimum 5 years of proven professional experience as a translator/interpreter is required;
Proven ability to work with complex documents – such as legislation;
Experience in providing consecutive/simultaneous translation is an asset.
Prior experience in working with international organizations is an asset.
Excellent computer skills, with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Power Point) in both English and Dari (equivalent computer skills in Pashto is an asset).
Language:
Excellent written and oral English and Dari, including the ability to translate and interpret from one to the other;

Equivalent skill level in Pashto is an asset.

The contractor shall submit a price proposal as below:

Daily Fee – The consultant shall propose a daily fee, which should be inclusive of her/his professional fee, local communication costs and insurance (inclusive of medical health insurance and evacuation). The professional daily fee, all inclusive of the above elements, shall be paid upon submission of timesheet. The number of working days for which the daily fee shall be payable under the contract is 180 working days maximum.

Payment schedule - Payments shall be done upon verification of completion of specific deliverables, upon clearance by the Senior Police Advisor and approval by the TSM Project Manager.

Individual Consultants will be evaluated based on the following methodology:

Cumulative analysis

The award of the contract shall be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

Responsive/compliant/acceptable, and
Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.

* Technical Criteria weight 70%

* Financial Criteria weight 30%

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 49 points (70% of the total technical points) would be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

Technical criteria (70 marks) –

‘Supervised’ Written Test (40 marks):

A supervised written test will be administered via or , depending on the location of shortlisted Applicants. The written test will focus on assessing Applicant’s abilities to translate from/to English to/from Dari, and use of MS Office applications to produce top quality documentation under time pressure. The passing mark for the test is set at 70% of 40 marks.

Qualification and Experience (30 marks) [evaluation of CVs for shortlisting]

General Qualification (15 marks);
Experience relevant to the assignment (15 marks);

Documents to be included when submitting the proposals:

Interested individual Consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications in one single PDF document:

Duly accomplished confirmation of Interest and Submission of Financial Proposal Template using the template provided by UNDP (Annex II) as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate and at least three (3) professional references;
Personal CV indicating all experience from similar projects relevant to the assignment;
Brief description of why the individual considers him/herself as the most suitable candidate for the assignment.

Incomplete application will not be considered, it will be disqualified automatically.