National Consultant to support on localization (written/oral translation services), 167 w/ds, Dushanbe, Tajikistan (for Tajik nationals only)

UNICEF Tajikistan is looking for a National Consultant to support the Country Office in localization (translation) of the documents/texts and provide consecutive
translations during high-level meetings.

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, Advocacy

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations. 

UNICEF Tajikistan operates in a multilingual environment. The use of English, Tajik and Russian languages in its activities is an essential element of both internal and external communication and ensures effective and increased participation of all partners and international staff members in joint activities, facilitating greater communication and collaboration between UNICEF Tajikistan and our key stakeholders both from the government and other partner agencies.

The consultancy’s purpose is to support the country team to translate, localize, edit, and prepare key documents ready to be shared with our external partners. In addition, under direct supervision of the Communication Officer, to accompany international colleagues to the meetings with local counterparts, offering interpretation services. The consultant will be hired for a duration of up to 1 year. The consultant will be required to translate, localize, and interpret with a high level of proficiency and competence. The documents for editing include reports, communications materials, technical documents around child rights and UNICEF thematic areas as well as other non‐technical documents to support communication needs of the country office.

How can you make a difference? 

Support to the Country Office in localization (translation) of the documents/texts and support with the consecutive
translations during high-level meetings.

The national consultant is expected to:

• Provide timely and professional quality translations of UNICEF documents, reports, publications, social media content and other documents on different subjects from/to English/Tajik/English. Ability to translate translation from/to English/Russian/English languages is preferable; ensure content accuracy and proofreading so that there are no omissions from the source and/or typographical errors.
• Ensure consistently accurate and high-quality consecutive and simultaneous interpretation from/to English/Tajik/English, as well as English/Russian/English (preferable), at conferences, workshops, and other public events. Interpretation is supported at high level meetings, workshops, conferences, and seminars.
• Maintain a list of commonly used UNICEF terminology for use in all interpretation/translation tasks.
• Develop effective data management system (electronic and physical) to keep and store translated documents and refresh key documents regularly to have up to date products for disseminations.
• Update or/and develop new terminology list for all the UNICEF programming to be used for consistency purpose in line with government language.
• Support in written translations of the official correspondence to the line ministries and state partners.
• Support in written translations of visibility and advocacy materials.
• Support in written translations of concept notes, expression of interest, proposals.
• Support in written translations of presentations, briefs, talking points and reports.

Tasks/Milestone: (in line with the scope elaborated in section-III)	Deliverables/Outputs:	Anticipated Timeline	% of payment maximum up to 5 payments
Provide timely and professional quality translations of UNICEF documents, reports, publications, social media content and other documents on different subjects from/to English/Tajik/English and English/Russian/English.	150 social media copy texts, 10 press-release, 10 articles, 5 interviews/op-eds, 10 caption videos, 15 opening remarks for Representative, 50 programme related brochures (not more than 5 pages), 30 SBC related materials (posters, flyers, brochures, Tv spots, radio spots); 10 official correspondences (letters) to the line ministries and state partners, 3 concept notes, expression of interest/ proposals, 10 presentations/briefs, 10 talking points.	Throughout April 2024-March 2025, not more than 132 days (1 working day is equal to 8 working hrs.)	30%
Provide accurate and high-quality consecutive and simultaneous interpretation from/to English/Tajik/English, as well as English/Russian/English (preferable), at conferences, workshops, and other high-level meetings.	30 events/workshops/high-level meetings	Throughout April 2024-March 2025, not more than 24 days  (1 working day is equal to 8 working hrs.)	30%
Develop effective data management system (electronic and physical) to keep and store translated documents and refresh key documents on regular basis to have up to date products for disseminations and update the glossary of UNICEF.	Sharepoint tracker developed and shared with the office. UNICEF’s glossary updated.	Throughout April 2024-March 2025, not more than 11 days (1 working day is equal to 8 working hrs.)	40%
	Total working days:	167	100%

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

• Education: University degree in Linguistics, Social Sciences, Development Studies and related disciplines. Accredited qualifications in translation and interpretation are preferable.
• Work experience: Minimum 3 years of experience in provision of translating services (written and oral)
• Previous experience with UN or INGOs
• Knowledge of local context is crucial
• Languages: Fluency in English and Tajik languages. Fluency in Russian is an advantage.

Qualified candidates are requested to submit:

• Cover letter/application/CV.
• Filled EOI form (Annex 2).
• Financial proposal specifying consultancy fee, per day of work, requested for the tasks described in the Terms of Reference in TJS. See Annex 3 at the following link
• Applications without financial proposals will not be considered.

Applications must be received in the system by 4 June 2024 on UNICEF website.

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 here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment. 

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. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background 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. 

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.