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UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do for as long as we are needed. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built. We offer our staff diverse opportunities for professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture., coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, every right. 

UNICEF Country Office is looking to establish long-term agreements (maximum 10 for each service) with individual professional translators to provide translation services (written translation, consecutive and simultaneous interpretation and proof reading) and sign language interpretation on a need basis. The selected translation and proof-reading services will be used by UNICEF programme, advocacy and communication sections.

How can you make a difference? 

Under this LTA, UNICEF would like to establish a roster for high-quality professionals in translation and proofreading  which will allow UNICEF Skopje to access the expertise and qualified support for the following services:

• Translation of written materials in English, Macedonian and/or Albanian;

• Interpretation (consecutive and/or simultaneous) in English, Macedonian and/or Albanian;

• Proofreading of written materials in English, Macedonian and/or Albanian;

• Sign language interpretation;

Further, the consultant is expected to translate and proofread UNICEF programme documents, publications, and events keeping in mind culture, gender, and other diverse sensitivities as per UNICEF guidelines and ethical standards. The consultant will be engaged on consumption-based contracts based on the programme needs. The details of the services needed by UNICEF will be shared over email and confirmed between both parties.

The objective is to secure high quality, accurate, and timely services for all written and/or oral presentations pertaining to UNICEF activities in the country and related development context.

The translator(s) will be required to perform the following:

(1) Written translation:

 • Accurate translation of all written materials into or from English, Macedonian and/or Albanian, submitted re-read and checked for linguistic, typographical and formatting errors.

• Ensure use of correct spelling, following UK English language variations.

(2) Interpretation (consecutive and/or simultaneous)

• Consecutive and/or simultaneous interpretation with concise, clear, and accurate translation in English, Macedonian and/or Albanian without distortion and/or over-interpretation of original messages communicated by a speaker.

(3) Proofreading in English, Macedonian and/or Albanian:

• Correct linguistic, grammatical, spelling, punctuation and typographical errors, ensuring consistency in terminology and language conventions.

• Improve unclear formulations where needed without changing the intended meaning, tone or substantive content, and flag issues requiring clarification

• Provide corrections using track changes, meet agreed deadlines and maintain confidentiality

(4) Sign language interpretation:

• Concise, clear, and accurate sign language translation without distortion and/or over-interpretation of original messages communicated by a speaker.

The Consultant(s) will be required to comply with standard UN/UNICEF rules and regulations and previously agreed deadlines for individual services/deliverables provided in the above stipulated areas: written and oral translation (consecutive and/or simultaneous), proofreading and sign language translation. 

The payment of services will be made upon UNICEF’s certification of quality of service.

(1) UNICEF has an established price range for the translation services as per the table below, and by applying for the roster list it will be considered as an acceptance of the prices for the service.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have… 

Minimum requirements:

• University degree in English, Macedonian or Albanian language studies, linguistics, philology, translation, interpretation or another relevant field.

• Specialized training or certification in translation and/or interpretation would be an asset.

Years of Experience/ Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required*:

- At least five years of relevant professional experience in translation, interpretation and/or proofreading in the required language(s), including experience with development, public policy and institutional content for UN agencies, the EU, OSCE, embassies, development partners or other international organizations.

- Good knowledge of UN and UNICEF terminology and concepts particularly in relevant thematic areas;

- Good understanding of the political, legal and socio-economic context of North Macedonia;

- Proficiency in standard office software, particularly Microsoft Word including Track Changes;

- Official appointment as a court translator/ interpreter is an asset for assignments requiring certified translations. Not all translations need to be certified.

*Minimum requirements to consider candidates for competitive process.

In order to apply, please submit:

1. Letter of interest, clearly stating which service you are applying for.

2. Most recent CV including experience in similar work 

3. At least three samples of work (for written translation).

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships

(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness

(3) Drive to achieve results for impact

(4) Innovates and embraces change

(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity

(6) Thinks and acts strategically

(7) Works collaboratively with others 

[add the 8^th competency (Nurtures, leads and manages people) for a supervisory role]. 

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.

UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. 

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority, discrimination, fraud, corruption and other forms of misconduct.
UNICEF is committed to promoting the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference, safeguarding and background verification checks. These checks may include verification of academic credentials and employment history, screening against relevant United Nations misconduct databases, and requests for misconduct disclosures from current and former employers, professional associations, other relevant organizations and participating organizations under inter-agency safeguarding initiatives, including the Misconduct Disclosure Scheme (MDS), where applicable.

Appointment, selection and continued engagement are subject to the satisfactory completion of all required checks. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information and consent to enable UNICEF to undertake these checks.
Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially

Remarks:  

As per 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.

UNICEF is committed to fostering an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce. For this position, eligible and suitable candidates are encouraged to apply.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason. 

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEF’s Strategic Plan. UNICEF is committed to stay and deliver in humanitarian contexts. Therefore, all staff, at all levels across all functional areas, can be called upon to be deployed to support humanitarian response, contributing to both strengthening resilience of communities and capacity of national authorities.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.