UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential. 

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone. 

And we never give up. 

For every child, Results 

UNICEF works to protect the rights of every child in Sri Lanka. Our goal is to ensure that all of our children survive, thrive and fulfill their vast potential.

In a world that is rapidly changing, children are faced with complex challenges and unprecedented opportunities. UNICEF’s programs are designed to reach and benefit all children so that they can withstand these challenges, leverage these opportunities and be the drivers of their own destiny.

UNICEF is committed to creating a country in which every child is free to learn, play and grow. Our programs work towards providing all children in Sri Lanka with shelter, nutrition, protection and education, wherever they may be. We strive to create communities in which children can live with dignity and hope, free from discrimination, violence and fear.

We make every effort to create and maintain environments that will enable and empower children to be the very best that they can be.

In this way, all children will not only benefit from economic and social growth but will become the driving force behind sustainable national development.

For over 50 years, with the help of our vast network of partners, UNICEF has made significant strides in raising health, education and protection standards for children in Sri Lanka. From achieving Universal Child Immunization (1989) to establishing The National Child Protection Authority (1998) to providing decades of crucial relief in the wake of devastating conflict and natural disaster, UNICEF has played a pivotal role in creating an environment in which children have the best chance to survive and thrive.

Yet, many challenges still exist, especially for the most vulnerable. Some national and regional bodies require resources and reinvigoration. Individuals and institutions need to be strengthened, coordinated and aligned with global standards so that children enjoy support in their schools, communities and homes to help them overcome challenges and unleash their full potential into the world.

Due to our long-standing reputation as an experienced, neutral and collaborative partner, UNICEF is ideally suited to drive these efforts. Our history of success in Sri Lanka is built on our ability to tap into a wide network of national and international partners which, in turn, is bolstered by our own far-reaching presence in the field. In working closely with these government, non-government and private entities, UNICEF takes a leadership role, drawing on our technical expertise to accurately assess existing challenges and develop, execute and coordinate solutions that are relevant and scalable on the ground.  For more information about UNICEF Sri Lanka and its work visit: http://www.unicef.org/srilanka

How can you make a difference? 

 

PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVE.

UNICEF Sri Lanka would like to engage the services of professional translators to be available in short notice to assist with translations and proof reading. Selected candidates will be placed in a roster for 12 months with possibility of extension.

 

METHODOLOGY.

Each section in UNICEF Sri Lanka, both for its own programme deliverables and for cross sectorial areas, define a need for translations and proof reading. The specificities of each service will be established on a case-by-case basis as per needs identified by the section that will require the service.

The service is used upon request / needs basis.

 

SCOPE OF WORK:

• Provide high quality translations of communication materials, technical and non-technical documents or resources.  
• Ensure that the translated text is technically, linguistically and grammatically correct, error free, meets high quality standards and should be the original translation which does not require further editing.
• Ensure excellence in vocabulary, syntax, expression, and the accurate use of relevant UNICEF technical terminology.
• In technical translations it is expected to have knowledge on terminology related to the following subject areas: - law and legal documents, child protection, social protection and social policy, health and nutrition, education, other
• Ensure confidentially and refrain from disclosing any content details to unauthorised parties.
• Translations are done keeping in mind culture, gender and other diverse sensitivities as per UNICEF guidelines.
• Expected to complete a comprehensive translation of the material provided ensuring clarity and correctness while taking into account the sensitivity and respecting the intentions of the writers and experts.
• Proofread the final translated documents, cross check with the original document, when necessary, ensure that all revisions have been accurately reflected in the final product and provide print ready versions where applicable. The proof reading to be done with reference to the source document (Sinhala/English/Tamil)
• Ensure that final product submitted to UNICEF is in Unicode and the designated language font.

 

TASKS /Activities:

Types of documents/materials to be translated:

• • UNICEF’s reports
  • research papers
  • policy documents
  • promotional and advocacy contents (brochures, flyers, posters, and newsletters for key campaigns)
  • online content, social media posts, blogs and landing page content.
  • UNICEF’s training materials, guidelines, and manuals
  • Situation reports, emergency appeals, and response updates
  • Fast and accurate translation of crisis-related materials, including situation reports, emergency appeals, and response updates during humanitarian emergencies.

• Type of translations/Required languages.

• English to Sinhala translation
• English to Tamil translation
• Sinhala to English translation
• Sinhala to Tamil translation
• Tamil to English translation
• Tamil to Sinhala translation

 

 DELIVERABLES AND PAYMENTS.

Payments will be processed upon acceptance of the corresponding deliverable and against an invoice. Payments will be approved by the respective section chief.

 

MANAGEMENT AND SUPERVISION.

The reporting requirements, if any, to be established on case-by-case basis.

 

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

 QUALIFICATIONS AND SPECIALIZED KNOWLEDGE.

Bachelor’s degree in social sciences or the related technical field

Or

4 years of additional relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of a bachelor’s degree

Experience and Skills: 

• At least 10 years of progressively responsible work experience in the related field with relevant technical background.
• Excellent writing skills in English and Sinhala/Tamil
• The ability to work with both Sinhala and Tamil will be a strong advantage
• Strong analytical skills.
• Knowledge of computer systems, internet navigation and various applications.
• Demonstrated experience with/or knowledge of UNICEF programme areas will be an added advantage
• Prior collaboration experience with other UN Agencies will be an asset
• Understanding of the cultural context and basic comprehension of human rights /child rights issues an added advantage

 

EVALUATION CRITERIA.

The selection of the consultants will be based on a “best value for money” principle and quality of product.  Interested candidates should, in addition to submitting their CV and cover letter, submit the following information:

• Indicate your expertise area with preference working language- select more languages, if capable (add in the cover letter)  

• English to Sinhala translation  
• English to Tamil translation     
• Sinhala to English translation  
• Sinhala to Tamil translation     
• Tamil to English translation     
• Tamil to Sinhala translation     

 

• Indicate your specialized technical areas – select more than one technical area if you are capable. (add in the cover letter)

• Health section                                                   
• Nutrition                                                   
• Social Policy                                              
• Child Protection                                       
• Education                                                 
• Other – general UNICEF documents    

 

• Min of 3 Samples of previous work
• Indicate your all-inclusive fees (including travel, subsistence costs, etc.) for the services to be provided as per specificities in the remarks below. 

 

REMARKS.

The financial proposal should cover the following aspects:

• Rate per word/A4 page/brochure etc
• The fee quotes you provide will not change during the entire 12-month period of the roster.

 

The office shall select the individuals to be added to the roster/s, based on the best value for money and quality of deliverable.  The technical evaluation criteria are stipulated below.

 

 

For every Child, you demonstrate… 

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS). 

  

To view our competency framework, please visit  here. 

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. To create a more inclusive workplace, UNICEF offers paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. Click here to learn more about flexible work arrangements, well-being, and benefits.

According to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. In its Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy 2022-2030, UNICEF has committed to increase the number of employees with disabilities by 2030. At UNICEF, we provide reasonable accommodation for work-related support requirements of candidates and employees with disabilities. Also, UNICEF has launched a Global Accessibility Helpdesk to strengthen physical and digital accessibility. If you are an applicant with a disability who needs digital accessibility support in completing the online application, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF.

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 and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. 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:  

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. 

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws. 

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.