The Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar ("Mechanism") was established by the Human Rights Council in its resolution 39/2, adopted on 27 September 2018, to investigate serious international crimes (i.e., crimes against humanity, war crimes and genocide) and other violations of international law. The creation of the Mechanism was welcomed by the General Assembly in its resolution 73/264, adopted on 22 December 2018. This position is located in the Language Support Services Section, based in Geneva, Switzerland.
Responsibilities :
Under the guidance of the supervisor, provides interpretation services during the Mechanism's internal and external meetings.
Assists when not assigned to interpretation in producing accurate translations and/or transcription of written and/or oral witness statements, media articles, public outreach materials and other documents from the Myanmar language (Burmese) and/or other languages used in Myanmar (such as Chin, Kachin, Rakhine, Rohingya and Shan) into English, and vice versa as required by the Mechanism.
Attends meetings as part of a team, takes notes either directly from statements made in the languages of competence or from the interpretation and subsequently uses the notes to produce draft records, subject to revision.
Consults and coordinates with associate translators, revisers, editors, analysts, investigators, legal officers and supervisors within the work unit, to assure conformity and consistency with UN practices and internal protocols.
Contributes to matters concerning interpretation/translation policy and practice and consults with relevant sections to clarify ambiguities and rectify substantive errors.
Performs such other duties as may be directed by the supervisor and the Head/ Deputy Head of the Mechanism.
Requirements :
An advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent degree) from a university or institution of equivalent status in languages, social sciences, law or other related fields is required.
A first-level degree in one of these fields in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may also be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
A minimum of two (2) years of experience interpreting and translating from the Myanmar language (Burmese) into English, and vice versa, is required. Experience interpreting and/or translating from another language used in Myanmar (such as Chin, Kachin, Rakhine, Rohingya and Shan) into English, and vice versa, is desirable.
Experience translating legal documents is desirable.
Experience providing interpretation or translation services in support of criminal investigations is desirable.
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat.
For this job opening, English and Burmese are required.
Either Kachin or Rakhine or Haka-Chin or Rohingya or Shan is desirable.
