Language Assistant, Damascus

Result of Service: To enhance communication with the local community, ensure high-quality translations, facilitate effective liaison with host government representatives, support patrols, provide daily media briefs, prepare comprehensive documentation, assist with drafts and notes, and train junior officers on cultural and geographical aspects.

Work Location: Damascus

Expected duration: 6 months

Duties and Responsibilities: Under the overall direction of the Chief of Mission Support, and the direct supervision of the Regional Administrative Officer-OGG Damascus, the incumbent will be responsible but not limited to the following duties:

• Provides clear and concise verbal communication/interpretation, interfacing between the UNTSO Military observer(s) in OGG, OGGD, LOD and local population in support of operations and wider mission activities.
• Provides written translation of high-level documents and communications from Arabic to English language and vice versa covering a broad range of subjects dealt with by the United Nations.
• Liaises and arranges meetings between the host country entities and Team Leaders / Observers and acts as Liaison / Interpreter focal point on matters between the local community and UNTSO OGG, OGGD and LOD Team.
• Reports to the assigned Teams as per established work roster and accompanies Military Observer(s) on daily patrols (by vehicle as well as by foot) to provide interpretation, geographical orientation and directions in support of UNTSO OGG, OGGD patrolling and observing operations.
• Keeps abreast of news in the Media and provides daily briefs to UNTSO Military Observers and staff of relevant contents in the area of operation affecting OGG, OGGD and LOD operations.
• Assists officers with the preparation of drafts, briefing notes and background information.
• Assists in training junior officers on cultural background and geographical briefs; area specific information on the team's area of operation.
• Performs other duties as required.

Qualifications/special skills: Highschool diploma is required. Geographical knowledge in the Area of Separation (AoS) South – West of Golan area in Syria is required. Knowledge of MS Word and Excel is required. Ability to work on shift duty roster is required. Travel on a daily basis throughout the AoS in UN Vehicles and to report / relocate from one position (Team) to another is required. Ability to relocate to an accommodation close to workplace is desirable. Valid national driving license is desirable (attach a copy of your license) Certificate in Translation or in related field is desirable.

Languages: Fluency in spoken and written English and Arabic is required.

Additional Information: Not available.

No Fee: