February 2, 2026

Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)

E (most hardship)

Non FamilyUNOPS LICA5

2026-04-01The profile is expected to include extensive experience with UN agencies and foreign embassies (at least two years) performing in a similar role. Managerial experience would be an asset. Previous experience with UNHCR would be considered an asset. A bachelor’s degree in English literature/translation, along with an accredited international language certificate, such as the Language Proficiency Examination (or equivalent qualification) in English is preferred. The desired candidate should also have experience translating complex and sensitive texts, including legal documents and laws.

 

Standard Job Description

Senior Interpreter Assistant

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Senior Interpreter Assistant normally report to a higher level local or international staff. The incumbent supports the operation with translation and interpretation related activities. S/he has frequent contacts involving the exchange of a wide range of information some of which may be complex. The incumbent may supervise Interpreter Assistants.


All UNHCR staff members are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCR's core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.


Duties
- Perform oral interpretation during interviews conducted for registration, refugee status determination (RSD), resettlement (RST) and general protection activities.
- Interpret oral conversations, discussions and counselling sessions with refugees and asylum-seekers, including psycho-social counselling, and other counselling sessions with vulnerable and/or traumatized individuals.
- Interpret at public meetings or events, as required.
- Interpret and/or translate from hand-written reports and applications, certificates, documents, newspapers, magazines etc.
- Translate documentation and correspondence from local languages into English and/or Arabic and vice versa;
- Support the RSD-RST unit with coordination, preparing interview schedules and setting interviews communication.
- Assist with contacting persons of concern to UNHCR via telephone, upon the request of RSD and/or RST caseworkers.
- Travel with UNHCR l staff on their missions to the field for interpretation and other assistance, as needed.
- Provide other support to the RSD/RST teams and performs clerical duties to support RSD, RST and general protection caseworkers (such as scanning, copying, retyping translations and/or interview transcripts).
- Assist other units, including the public information and external relations units regarding interpretation and translation.

- Support the identification and management of risks and seek to seize opportunities impacting objectives in the area of responsibility. Ensure decision making in risk based in the functional area of work. Raise risks, issues and concerns to a supervisor or to relevant functional colleague(s).
- Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Years of Experience / Degree Level
For G5 - 2 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 1 year relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher

Field(s) of Education
Not applicable.

Certificates and/or Licenses
Business Administration; Secretarial;
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk are essential)

Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Minimum 2 years of professional job experience. Ability to work with people from different cultural backgrounds.

Desirable
Not specified.

Functional Skills
IT-Computer Literacy
CO-Cross-cultural communication
TI-Interpretation
(Functional Skills marked with an asterisk are essential)

Language Requirements
For International Professional and Field Service jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English.
For National Professional jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English and local language.
For General Service jobs: Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English.


All UNHCR workforce members must individually and collectively, contribute towards a working environment where each person feels safe, and empowered to perform their duties. This includes by demonstrating no tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment including sexual harassment, sexism, gender inequality, discrimination and abuse of power.

As individuals and as managers, all must be proactive in preventing and responding to inappropriate conduct, support ongoing dialogue on these matters and speaking up and seeking guidance and support from relevant UNHCR resources when these issues arise.


This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR jobs with this job title and grade level. The Operational Context may contain additional essential and/or desirable qualifications relating to the specific operation and/or position. Any such requirements are incorporated by reference in this Job Description and will be considered for the screening, shortlisting and selection of candidates.

Required Languages

,

,

Desired Languages

,

,

Additional Qualifications

Skills

CO-Cross-cultural communication, IT-Computer Literacy, TI-Interpretation

Education

Certifications

Business Administration - Other, Secretarial - Other

Other information

No late applications will be accepted. Shortlisted candidates may be required to sit for a written test and/or oral interview. UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process. UNHCR strongly encourages qualified female applicantsThis position doesn't require a functional clearance

Remote

No