Skip to Job Description
Assistant Field Translator
Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)
Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
NO-A Entry Professional Full-time Locallly Recruited
Closing soon: 3 Oct 2025
Apply Now
Posted 3 weeks ago
Job Description
Org. Setting and Reporting
This position is located in the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (HRMMU) based in Kyiv, Ukraine. The incumbent reports to the Head of Programme and Operations.
Responsibilities
Within delegated authority, the Assistant Field Translator will be responsible for the following duties: • Assists with the translation/interpretation of a variety of texts from local language(s) to designated UN working language(s) covering a broad range of subjects dealt with by the United Nations, i.e., political, social, legal, economic, financial, administrative, scientific and technical; respecting deadlines and using appropriate terminology. The supervisor revises the finished products; • Assists in matters of terminology and style to ensure uniformity and quality; • Assists with resolving translation/editorial issues (i.e. clarification on ambiguities, technical meanings, etc.) through consultation with authors. • Supports the work of the unit in aiming at high standard of accuracy, consistency and fidelity to the spirit, style and nuances of the original; • Seeks to abide by established terminology and usage and ensures, as far as possible, consistency with other translators working on similar documents. • Uses all sources of reference, information and consultation relevant to the text at hand and carries out any research required; • Adopts and maintains a certain speed and volume of output, taking into account the difficulty of the text and the specified deadlines; • Contributes to identifying new terminology material for the consideration of revisers and terminology managers; • Performs other related duties as required.
Competencies
PROFESSIONALISM: Ability to demonstrate good writing skills; high standard of accuracy, consistency and faithfulness to the spirit, style and nuances of the original text with a good grasp of the subject matter. Knowledge of a broad range of subjects dealt with by the United Nations, i.e., political, social, legal, economic, financial, administrative, scientific and technical. Ability to use all sources of references, consultation and information relevant to text at hand. Ability to work under pressure and maintain adequate speed and volume of output and deliver clear interpretation on a broad range of subjects. Ability to show a high level of versatility, judgement and discretion. 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; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas 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 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
Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in translation, interpretation, languages or a related field. A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in above-mentioned field in combination with two (2) additional years of relevant qualified work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Job - Specific Qualification
Not available.
Work Experience
For candidates who hold a first level university degree (Bachelor's degree or equivalent), a minimum of two (2) years of experience in translation and/or interpretation is required. No experience is required for candidates who hold an advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in translation, interpretation, languages or a related field. Experience within the United Nations common system, similar international organization or international NGO is desirable. Experience in the humanitarian area is desirable. Experience in providing interpretation for national and/or international events is desirable.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. Ukrainian and Russian are required. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult https://languages.un.org for details).

Required Languages

LanguageReadingWritingListeningSpeaking
EnglishUN Level IVUN Level IVUN Level IVUN Level IV
UkrainianUN Level IVUN Level IVUN Level IVUN Level IV
RussianUN Level IVUN Level IVUN Level IVUN Level IV
Assessment
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which will be followed by competency-based interview.
Special Notice
Extension of the appointment is subject to extension of the mandate and/or the availability of the funds. Candidates for the National Professional Officer category shall be of the nationality of the country where this position is located. At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. 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, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, 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. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. 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. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile 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.
{{waiting}}
This position is no longer open.