Communications Senior Associate (Translator/Interpreter)

Job Highlight

UNOPS is seeking a highly professional Translator/Interpreter to provide precise, consistent support for the EOD Capacity Development Programme. This role involves translating complex technical materials and acting as a technical interpreter to facilitate effective communication between international staff and Ukrainian partners.

About the Region

The Europe and Central Asia Regional Office (ECR), based in Geneva, is responsible for the effective management, coordination and oversight of UNOPS operations across the region. The ECR region spans the Western Balkans, Ukraine and Eastern Europe, Central Asia, South Caucasus, and Türkiye, where UNOPS works with partners to achieve sustainable impact in health, education, environmental management, housing, rule of law, good governance, economic development, and social inclusion. With a wealth of experience in procurement, infrastructure, project and grant management, UNOPS in the region directly implements projects, provides technical advisory services and capacity building to advance the Sustainable Development Goals in support of national governments.

About the Group

The UNOPS Ukraine and Eastern Europe MCO (UEMCO) operates in Ukraine, Moldova, and Poland, supporting urgent humanitarian needs while building pathways for recovery and development. In Ukraine, UEMCO delivers large-scale infrastructure, energy, housing, education, and mine action projects in partnership with UN agencies, international financial institutions, the European Union, and bilateral donors. Its agile portfolio responds to fast-evolving needs with strong procurement and implementation capacity. In Moldova, UEMCO supports justice sector reform and is exploring opportunities to expand its role across public sector modernization and infrastructure. In Poland, UEMCO works with government and private sector actors to strengthen ties with UN procurement and contribute to Ukraine’s recovery, leveraging Poland’s EU experience to support Ukraine’s future accession and integration.

Job Specific Context

Ukraine faces unprecedented explosive ordnance (EO) contamination following the full-scale Russian invasion of 2022. An estimated 25 percent of the country's territory is potentially contaminated. There is a growing need for countering IEDs in Ukraine. The Ukraine Mine Action Programme as part of the Ukraine and East Europe Multi-Country Office (UEMCO) supports national authorities in addressing the most extensive explosive ordnance contamination crisis in Europe since the Second World War.

Role Purpose

UNOPS is seeking a highly professional Translator / Interpreter, well-versed in Mine Action terminology and methodology, to provide consistent and accurate support throughout the partner’s EOD Capacity Development Programme. Reporting to the UNOPS Project Manager and overseen by the UNOPS UEMCO Humanitarian Mine Action Technical Advisor, the selected individual will primarily support the Mine Action Team during training delivery and material development to ensure technical content is communicated precisely to partners . This role requires the flexibility to deploy to multiple field locations to act as a technical interpreter in both classroom and rural outdoor settings, as well as the ability to translate complex technical publications and presentations. As the programme expands, the Translator / Interpreter will play an essential role in supporting international staff during interactions with the Government of Ukraine (GoU) agencies and training establishments, continuing to assist with quality assurance (QA) activities, document translation, and liaison with the partners and MoIA to ensure sustained project impact.

Functions / Key Results Expected

1. Interpretation — Training Delivery

• Provide consecutive and simultaneous interpretation between English and Ukrainian throughout all HMA training sessions.
• Accurately convey HMA and EOD terminology; take responsibility for maintaining consistency in terminology across all sessions and materials.
• Brief the international instructor on any cultural, linguistic, or contextual nuances relevant to course delivery.
• Support participant questions and discussions, ensuring accurate two-way communication at all times.

2. Translation — Training Materials

• Translate training materials, lesson plans, participant workbooks, assessment tools, and reference documents from English into Ukrainian.
• Review Ukrainian-language materials for accuracy, consistency, and appropriate use of technical terminology before each course.
• Maintain a bilingual glossary of key IHMA and EOD terms for use across all programme materials.

3. QA and Programme Support (as required beyond instructor contract)

• Support the UNOPS Technical Lead with translation and interpretation during quality assurance visits, partner liaison meetings, and reporting activities.
• Translate programme reports, after-action reports, and correspondence between UNOPS and the partner or MoIA as required.
• Assist with interpretation during coordination meetings with other partners as required.

4. General Support

• Accompany the international instructor and UNOPS team to all relevant meetings, site visits, and training venues.
• Comply with all UNOPS security protocols; follow UNDSS guidance for travel to high-risk locations.
• Maintain confidentiality in all matters relating to programme content and participant information.

Skills

Communication, Interpersonal Skills, Interpreting, Reliability, Translation, Active listening

Competencies

Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organisational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.

Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).

Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.

Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.

Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.

Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Education Requirements

Required

• Secondary school (or equivalent) with 7 years of relevant experience OR;
• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in translation, linguistics with 3 years of relevant experience OR;
• Master’s degree (or equivalent) in translation, linguistics, or a related field with a minimum of 1 year of relevant experience is required.

Desired

• Formal interpreter certification or membership of a professional translation body is desired.

Experience Requirements

Required

• Relevant experience in interpretation (consecutive/simultaneous) and translation between English and Ukrainian
• Demonstrated experience in technical, security, or humanitarian sector environments, where the translation of complex terminology (legal, military, or engineering) was essential.

Desired

• Prior experience translating for, police, emergency services, or mine action programmes.
• Experience working with UN agencies or international organisations.
• Possession of specialized vocabulary related to EO, IEDD, or the broader security field.
• Familiarity with the GoU agencies UNOPS interacts with and supports under the Mine Action Programme is desired.

Language Requirements

LanguageProficiency LevelRequirementEnglishFluentRequiredUkrainianNativeRequired

Additional Information

• UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
• UNOPS will at no stage of the recruitment process request candidates to make payments of any kind.
• Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement. Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited to proceed to the next stage of the selection process, which may include various assessments.
• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of a wide range of nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. We strive to sustain and strengthen this diversity, fostering an inclusive working environment where all personnel are treated with respect and have equal access to opportunities.
• UNOPS evaluates all applications based on the skills, qualifications and experience outlined in the vacancy announcement. We are committed to a fair and transparent selection process and welcome diverse perspectives, including those of women, indigenous and racialized communities, individuals of diverse gender identities and sexual orientations, and persons with disabilities.
• We are committed to enabling all candidates to perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require support or reasonable accommodation to complete any assessment, please inform our human resources team upon receiving your invitation.
• UNOPS has zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment, and other forms of abusive conduct, including discrimination, abuse of authority, and harassment. To uphold these standards, background checks are conducted for all final candidates to help ensure that individuals with a history of such conduct are not hired. By applying for a position with UNOPS, candidates acknowledge and consent to these verification processes.

Terms and Conditions

• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post.
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few mandatory courses (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. For more information on a retainer contract here.
• For more details about the contract types, please click here.
• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.
• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.