Translation and Intepretation Officer (Tamil – English)

Job Highlight

Enable Tamil-speaking civil society partners to access Vriddhi information and participate meaningfully in programme activities through timely, accurate and context-sensitive translation and interpretation.

Role Purpose

The Translator/Interpreter will provide written translation between English and Tamil, and consecutive or simultaneous interpretation for online and occasional in-person engagements, as requested by the Vriddhi programme.

Functions / Key Results Expected

Translation and language review

  • Translate documents accurately between English and Tamil, while preserving meaning, tone, structure and intended audience.
  • Translate programme reports, course and training materials, presentations, guidance documents, calls for proposals, programme and grant-related materials, social media content and other communications assigned by Vriddhi or UNOPS teams.
  • Review and proofread translated material for grammar, clarity, consistency and correct use of terminology before submission.
  • Maintain consistent terminology across assignments and, when requested, develop or update a bilingual glossary of frequently used programme terms.
  • Format translations to follow the source document as closely as reasonably possible and clearly flag text whose meaning requires clarification.

Interpretation

  • Provide live interpretation between English and Tamil during online meetings, consultations, webinars and training sessions.
  • Provide interpretation during occasional in-person meetings, dialogues, workshops, capacity-building activities, field visits and engagements with diplomatic missions and other stakeholders in Sri Lanka.
  • Review agendas and reference materials in advance and prepare relevant terminology for each assignment.

Quality, confidentiality and coordination

  • Use accurate terminology relating to protection, human rights, civil society, inclusion, programme management, grants, finance, monitoring and evaluation, gender, IT and capacity building.
  • Respond promptly to assignment requests, confirm availability and meet agreed deadlines, including short deadlines where reasonably required.
  • Incorporate reasonable feedback and correct errors promptly where the submitted work does not meet the agreed requirements.
  • Treat all documents, discussions, participant information and programme information as confidential and comply with applicable UNOPS requirements on safeguarding, data protection and professional conduct.
  • Coordinate with the designated Vriddhi focal point and submit completed work in the requested editable format.

Education Requirements

Required

  • Bachelor’s degree in translation, interpretation, languages, linguistics, communication, social sciences, law, human rights, development studies or related fields with 2 years of relevant experience.

Desired

  • Formal training or professional certification in translation or interpretation from a national body is desired.

Required

Experience Requirements

  • A minimum of two years of professional experience in translation and interpretation is required, including experience translating technical or programme-related documents and providing live interpretation in online and/or in-person settings.
  • Demonstrated ability to translate technical or programme content accurately and communicate complex ideas in clear, natural language.
  • Knowledge of terminology used in protection, human rights, civil society, inclusion, programme management and development programming.
  • Strong proofreading, editing and quality-control skills, with the ability to meet agreed deadlines.
  • Proficiency in google workplace and online meeting applications.

Desired

  • Experience supporting the United Nations, international organizations, civil society organizations or donor-funded programmes.
  • Experience translating or interpreting content related to grants, finance, monitoring and evaluation, training or safeguarding.
  • Familiarity with the Sri Lankan civil society and development context.

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