CALL FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST
ROSTER OF INTERPRETERS, TRANSLATORS AND CULTURAL MEDIATORS
Reference number: CfA 33-03/22
Posting period: 10 March 2022 – 31 December 2022
UPDATED AS OF 18 MARCH 2022
Application form can be downloaded here in PDF and DOC.
CALL FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST
ROSTER OF INTERPRETERS, TRANSLATORS AND CULTURAL MEDIATORS
Reference number: CfA 33-03/22
Posting period: 10 March 2022 – 31 December 2022
1. BACKGROUND AND NATURE OF THE CONSULTANCY
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is looking to establish a roster of interpreters and translators to support IOM staff and BiH authorities in providing services and information to migrants and asylum seekers in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH).
The services requested are:
a. Oral interpretation.
b. Written translation, editing and proofreading.
c. Language assistance to the Assisted Voluntary Return program and resettlement process (including, among other things support with medical procedures, access to documentation, development of reintegration plan, escort during travel).
The requested languages are:
a. Pashto
b. Urdu
c. Kurdish (Kurmanji and Sorani)
d. Panjabi
e. Bengali
f. Farsi/Dari
g. Arabic
h. Amazigh/ Berber
i. Sindi
j. Hindi
k. Bihari
l. Nepalese
m. Turkish
n. Spanish
o. Russian
p. Ukrainian
q. Any other language or dialect of the following countries: Turkey, Iraq, Iran, Syrian Arab Republic, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Northern African Countries (Maghreb), Eritrea, Somalia, Ethiopia, and other Sub-Saharan countries.
Each applicant can apply for all the above tasks or only selected ones and for one or more languages. Applicants who have only oral knowledge of one of the above-mentioned languages language are invited to apply too.
IOM reserves the right to create a two-tier roster, with certified or professional interpreters (Tier 1) and persons with advanced knowledge of a rare language but not at the professional level (for example, native speakers with at least secondary education) (Tier 2). This provision aims at having in the roster persons who speak rare languages for which there are no professional or certified interpreters.
Selected applicants will be engaged on a consultancy contract with a fixed pricelist. Each interpretation/translation tasks will be directly coordinated between IOM staff and the consultant on the roster on a need base, following the pricelist from the contract.
Applicants residing in other countries than BiH are eligible to apply but will mainly be considered for home-based interpretation/translation services (via phone, email or online platforms), unless differently agreed with IOM on a case-by-case basis.
Applicants will be tested by IOM and only successful ones included in the roster. Only eligible candidates will be contacted for testing.
2. MAIN TASKS/FUNCTIONS
Oral interpretation:
• Provide interpretation services over the phone or via online platforms (e.g. zoom, Microsoft Teams, etc).
• Provide interpretation in person, for example during medical visits, administrative processes, etc.
• Provide interpretation in court proceedings (in person or online).
• Record oral messages in the foreign language (for visually impaired or illiterate persons).
Interpretation can be simultaneous, whispered, or consecutive.
Written translation:
• Translate documents and other materials as provided by IOM.
Editing and proofreading (native or advanced speakers only):
• Edit and proofread documents and other materials as provided by IOM.
Language assistance to the Assisted Voluntary Return (AVR) and resettlement process :
• Support migrants with interpretation during medical procedures, access to documentation, development of reintegration plan and other procedures related to the AVR and resettlement process.
• Accompany migrants returning to their country of origin or country of resettlement; assist them to understand all travel procedures and interpret in any interaction with border authorities or airline staff.
3. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:
Tier 1 - Professional interpreters
• Masters’ Degree in languages, translation and interpretation or tertiary education certificate equivalent to a University Degree in translation and interpretation, or similar relevant qualifications.
• Advanced written and spoken knowledge of the required language
Tier 2 – Language experts (non-professional)
• Advanced knowledge of the required language (at least spoken, preferably both written and spoken).
• Secondary or higher education completed.
Desirable competencies for all applicants:
• Ability to effectively present and communicate information, both verbal and written.
• Advanced written and spoken Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian or English is required.
• Computer literacy.
• Familiarity with migration process and terminology.
• Flexibility and ability to work in a culturally diverse environment.
4. TIMEFRAME OF THE CONSULTANCY:
The consultancy contract will have the initial validity of 11 months and could be extended further, based on the need of IOM Mission and performance of the consultant. IOM may reserve the right to offer selected consultants additional consultancy contracts for specific tasks (output based contracts).
5. LOCATION:
The consultancy is home-based, unless IOM requires interpretation in person. In case the services requested imply travel outside the place of residence, IOM will cover travel and lodging costs as per IOM rules and regulations.
6. HOW TO APPLY:
Interested candidates are kindly requested to submit:
i) Curriculum Vitae in English or one of the official languages of BiH
ii) Degrees, language certifications or documents attesting the knowledge of the foreign language (e.g. secondary education diploma or higher, language certificate, etc.).
iii) Application form filled in and signed
Applications should be sent via email to: bihvacancies@iom.int with the email subject “Roster of interpreters”. Applications are welcome all year long, there is no deadline for submitting applications.