Interpreters for CHS Audit

Background

Concern Worldwide is an international humanitarian organisation dedicated to the reduction of suffering and working towards the ultimate elimination of extreme poverty in the world’s poorest countries. In Bangladesh, Concern Worldwide Bangladesh’s Country Strategic Plan 2022- 2026 aims to contribute to bringing sustainable, positive changes in the lives of people living in extreme poverty in Bangladesh. Concern’s work focusing on improving the food security and health and nutrition status of those living in extreme poverty, including developing a greater understanding of broader health, nutrition and food systems and the linkages between urban and rural areas. Concern’s programmes will directly contribute to progress against Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), along with the Government of Bangladesh’s 8th Five Year Plan and other relevant policies and strategies.

Concern Worldwide is committed to the Core Humanitarian Standards and is a certified member of the CHS Alliance. In 2024, as part of a renewal certification process, Concern Worldwide Bangladesh Programme is part of the on-site audit. The audit is managed and conducted by independent auditors of the Humanitarian Quality Assurance Initiative (HQAI).

Objective and Requirements

Provide on-site interpretation for the auditor team during the on-site audit in Bangladesh, Cox’s Bazar for Rohingya Refugee Camps and Host Community in Ukhiya and Teknaf between the 10th – 12th of June 2024.

The auditors are independent consultants mandated by the Humanitarian Quality Assurance Initiative. Their main mission is to audit organisations and assess their compliance with the Core Humanitarian Standard. This standard sets out nine commitments that organisations and individuals involved in humanitarian response can use to improve the quality and effectiveness of the assistance they provide. It should facilitate greater accountability to communities and people affected by crisis.

As part of the audit, the auditors have to visit a certain number of countries and sites where the audited organisations have programmes. During their visit, the auditors interview the staff of the organisation, crisis- affected people, their communities, local authorities and other stakeholders. Through these interviews and focus group discussions, the auditors collect information on how the organisation works on the field.

All these conversations are conducted in local language to allow interviewees to express themselves more easily. The interpreter is responsible for translation keeping a neutral and accurate translation style.

The attached annexes provide more detailed information about the CHS, sample questions and interpreters guidelines.

Duration and Location of Assignment

Duration: The assignment is planned for 03 days from 10th – 12th June with a 1 hour briefing meeting on 9th June.

Location: Cox’s Bazar, Rohingya Camp and Host Community (exact camp and location tbc)

Experiences and Qualifications

• At least 2 – 5 years’ experience as translator and interpreter for similar assignments.
• Interpretation from Bangla to English as well as Burmese to English vice versa.
• Proven experience in providing interpretation services for KII and FGDs
• Female applicants are strongly encouraged to apply as female interpreters are needed to translate interviews and discussion with women

Line of Communications

The consultant will directly communicate with the HQAI consultancy team and will receive guidance from HQAI for preparation and during the assignment.

Remuneration/Fee

Interested consultants are requested to submit their financial proposal along with the technical proposal including cost of field travel and other relevant cost for the assignment*;* inclusive all VAT and Taxes as per policy of the government of Bangladesh, which shall be deducted at source prior to the payment. The financial proposal should include daily consultancy fees and any other costs.

Payment

Payment will be an agreed amount including VAT and tax for the total assigned service. Full payment will be made upon completion of the assignment. Concern will not be liable for any bank charges arising from incorrect bank details being provided to Concern. The payments will be made through Account payee cheque.

Confidentiality

The consultant will maintain the confidentiality of the stated assignment.

Concern Worldwide’s Policies and Guidelines

Concern’s Code of Conduct (CCoC) and its associated safeguarding policies; the Programme Participant Protection Policy, the Child Safeguarding Policy and the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Policy have been developed to ensure the maximum protection of programme participants from exploitation and to clarify the responsibilities of Concern staff, consultants, contractors, visitors to the programme and partner organisations, and the standards of behaviour expected of them. In this context staff have a responsibility to the organisation to strive for and maintain the highest standards in the day-to-day conduct in their workplace in accordance with Concern’s core values and mission. Concern’s Code of Conduct and its associated safeguarding policies have been appended to this Contract for your signature. By signing the Concern Code of Conduct you demonstrate that you have understood their content and agree to conduct yourself in accordance with the provisions of these two documents.

Breach of Code of Conduct and Sharing of Information: We are required to share details of certain breaches of Concern’s Code of Conduct, specifically those related to fraud, sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment and trafficking in persons, with external organizations such as institutional donors, regulatory bodies and future employers. In the event where you have been found to be in breach of these aspects of Concern’s Code of Conduct, your personal details (e.g. name, date of birth, address and nationality) and details of these breaches will be shared with these external bodies. Organizations may retain this data and use it to inform future decisions about you.

In addition, where we are working in partnership with another organization and where there are allegations of breaches in the above areas against you, we will cooperate with any investigation being undertaken and will share your personal details with investigation teams.

A breach of this policy will result in disciplinary action up to, and including, dismissal.

Safety and Security

It is a requirement that the Consultant will comply with Bangladesh security policy and in-country security procedures. It is a requirement that the Consultant will comply with Bangladesh security policy and in-country security procedures. Failing to comply will result in immediate termination of contract. The work plan will need to be flexible and have built in contingency plans that can be activated through mutual discussion with Concern and the partners on the ground. This will be especially important for activities that require fieldwork and face-to-face interactions

Safeguarding at Concern: Code of Conduct and its Associated Safeguarding Policies
Concern has an organisational Code of Conduct (CCoC) with three Associated Policies; the Programme Participant Protection Policy (P4), the Child Safeguarding Policy and the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Policy. These have been developed to ensure the maximum protection of programme participants from exploitation, and to clarify the responsibilities of Concern staff, consultants, visitors to the programme and partner organisation, and the standards of behaviour expected of them. In this context, staff have a responsibility to the organisation to strive for, and maintain, the highest standards in the day-to-day conduct in their workplace in accordance with Concern’s core values and mission. Any candidate offered a job with Concern Worldwide will be expected to sign the Concern Staff Code of Conduct and Associated Policies as an appendix to their contract of employment. By signing the Concern Code of Conduct, candidates acknowledge that they have understood the content of both the Concern Code of Conduct and the Associated Policies and agree to conduct themselves in accordance with the provisions of these policies. Additionally, Concern is committed to the safeguarding and protection of vulnerable adults and children in our work. We will do everything possible to ensure that only those who are suitable to work or volunteer with vulnerable adults and children are recruited by us for such roles. Subsequently, working or volunteering with Concern is subject to a range of vetting checks, including criminal background checking.

Concern Worldwide is against all forms of discrimination and unequal power relations, and is committed to promoting equality. Any form of persuasion shall result disqualification of the EOI

Concern Worldwide, Bangladesh reserves the right to accept or reject any or all of the proposals without showing any reason whatsoever.