These positions are located in the Department for General Assembly and Conference Management (DGACM) at Headquarters in Geneva, Nairobi, New York, and Vienna, and are under the general supervision of the Chief of Interpretation or Language Section/Service, as designated.
Temporary appointments under the When Actually Employed (WAE) modality may be offered to successful applicants, who will be placed on the DGACM Global Language Roster as Russian interpreters.
Duties and responsibilities depend on the service/section and duty station in which the temporary position is located and may include providing interpretation into Russian of speeches given in English, French and/or Spanish; servicing up to eight meetings per week, usually of no more than three hours' duration, of various United Nations bodies; and occasionally being assigned to sensitive meetings and possibly functioning as a team leader of all interpreters assigned to a given meeting.
PROFESSIONALISM:
Has knowledge of a broad range of subjects dealt with by the United Nations, including of a political, social, legal, economic, financial, administrative, scientific or technical nature; is able to work under stress and to deliver high quality interpretation; shows pride in work and in achievements; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with challenges; remains calm in stressful situations; takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives in all areas of work.
COMMUNICATION:
Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
TEAMWORK:
Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others' ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decisions, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.
A first-level degree or equivalent qualification from a university or institution of equivalent status, preferably one at which Russian is the principal language of instruction.
In addition, a Master's degree in interpretation, or a Master's degree in translation and/or a post-graduate diploma in Conference Interpretation of at least one academic year of full-time study is desirable. In the absence of an advanced degree in interpretation, a first-level university degree in combination with a minimum of 50 proven days of work in conference interpretation into Russian may be accepted as qualifying experience.
A minimum of 50 proven days of work in conference interpretation into Russian is required only in the absence of a formal university qualification in conference interpretation.
Requirements regarding language combinations vary across duty stations. A perfect command of Russian is required and must be the candidate's main language. The candidate must also possess an excellent command of English, as well as of either French or Spanish. (Excellent command is defined as at least two "confident" rating out of the four languages fields).
Applicants' claims to knowledge of any of the official languages of the United Nations must be supported by relevant documentation attached to their application. Further evidence of degrees or diplomas, knowledge of languages, and relevant experience may be required prior to any invitation to sit the pre-selection exam.
All applicants must submit a 150-250-word cover letter in Russian accompanying their application, explaining why they wish to work as a freelance interpreter at the United Nations. Applications without such a cover letter will not be considered.
Applications will be screened on the basis of the eligibility criteria, and applicants deemed to be qualified will be invited to sit the Global Language Roster examination. Candidates who successfully pass the pre-selection test will be invited to sit the final test.
The Global Language Roster examination will be conducted entirely online, using a dedicated platform, as follows:
Step 1: Technical test ("mock test")
Approximately two weeks before the pre-selection exam, all eligible candidates will be asked to complete a technical test to ensure proper functioning of their equipment (i.e. a computer with a reliable internet connection).
Step 2: Pre-selection test, to be held on 01 April 2022
The pre-selection test will consist of one simultaneous interpretation into Russian from a recording of one speech delivered in English (approximately 8 to 10 minutes).
Candidates who are successful in the pre-selection test will be invited to sit the final test.
Step 3: Final test, to be held on 03 May 2022
This test will consist of:
• Simultaneous interpretation into Russian from recordings of two speeches delivered in English (approximately 8 to 10 minutes each); and,
• if applicable, simultaneous interpretation into Russian from recordings of two speeches in French and/or Spanish (approximately 8 to 10 minutes each).
Details regarding the exact timing and arrangements will be sent to the candidates invited to sit the examination. The testing window will be open for a limited time during which candidates will be asked to record their interpretations.
Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the examination process, when requested and indicated in the application.
Candidates who pass only the first passive eliminatory language [English] will be notified and added to the GLR accordingly and will only be assessed for the second passive language [French or Spanish] at the next freelance exam once it is organized.
Applicants will be notified in writing of the Assessment Panel's decision in respect of their application. These decisions are final and not subject to appeal. The Panel does not release individual scores or results.
The purpose of the present advertisement is to invite applications to the Global Language Roster examination for Russian interpreters. The aim is to expand the number of qualified Russian interpreters on the roster for employment on temporary appointments.
As indicated in ST/AI/2010/4/Rev.1, temporary appointments may be granted for a single or cumulative period of less than one year to meet seasonal or peak workloads and specific short-term requirements. Temporary appointments for interpreters are governed by agreements with the Association internationale des interprètes de conférence (AIIC), whereby a temporary appointment may be granted for a maximum of 729 days (or 521 working days) within a 27-month period at the same duty station. Those granted temporary appointments usually need to work on United Nations premises.
According to 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. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.
Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.
The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.
Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.
The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.
Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.
THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.