National Consultant for Interpretation and Translation Services

Background

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Country Office in Timor Leste has been working to support the country to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and reduce human poverty. UNDP’s on-going Country Programme Action Plan 2015-2019 (CPAP) is positioned within the overarching objective of the Timor-Leste United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) 2015-2019, which elaborates on four outcomes and seventeen sub-outcomes to respond to the evolving needs within each sector. The formulation of the UNDAF in turn has been guided by the SDGs and the National Development Priorities which were defined in the Government’s Strategic Development Plan 2011-2030. One of the current Governance Programme’s projects is the Justice Sector Reform.

PARLIAMENT PROJECT

Since the inauguration in 2002, the National Parliament has successfully fulfilled its constitutional mandates – legislative, oversight, representational functions - which led the political, economic and social development in Timor-Leste.

Despite the considerable progress, the National Parliament is facing with several challenges in terms of its institutional capacity which constrain it to perform its mandates the best. These challenges are namely insufficient technical expertise and systemic training mechanism, low digital capacity, absence of effective engagement with citizens, and weak in international relation management.

To address the abovementioned challenges, the project focuses on the National Parliament’s further institutional development particularly in training and capacity building, technical expertise, regulatory impact analysis, digital transformation, citizen engagement, communication, and international relations. The project will also ensure that all the support are mainstreaming gender, human rights, environment, and SDGs.

Pro PALOP-TL SAI

Additionally, the Parliament Project project is supporting the UNDP-EU Project for Strengthening technical and functional skills of Supreme Audit Institutions, National Parliaments and Civil Society for the control of public finances in the PALOP and Timor-Leste (Pro PALOP-TL SAI) in implementing the COVID-19 Mitigation Plan to favor relevant national counterparts in each beneficiary country, including Timor-Leste.

Within this context, the Parliament project is seeking to engage a consultant for provision of professional interpretation services for the vast webinars/dialogues programme that this project has. The consultant’s work will aims to ensure that all events, internal documents ans publications issued by each of the projects have a coherent and uniform understanding by the different counterparts involves in the initiatives.

Duties and Responsibilities

Duties and Responsibilities

The interpreter will work under the direct supervision of the Parliament Project’s Chief Technical Advisor, and for the above-mentioned projects, and he/she will be requested to deliver the services below:

1. Interpretation Services (Portuguese/Tetum to English, English to Portuguese/Tetum)

Produce 100% accurate interpretation from Portuguese/Tetum to English or vice versa of various documents, written / recorded speeches, talking points, presentations, brochures, fact sheets, reports, website content, press releases, etc. as assigned by UNDP;
Use the appropriate terminology considering the style and nuances of the original text. Areas frequently covered by such documents include legal, public relations and Business texts, etc.
Quality check and proofreading of translation ensuring no typographical errors in the final text;
Make necessary corrections or changes required by UNDP or its partners and re-submit corrected text within the agreed timeframe;
Deliver the interpretation documents as per the plan developed by the Chief Technical Advisor of the Project, as per each specific assignment.

2. Consecutive Interpretation Services (Portuguese/Tetum to English, English to Portuguese/Tetum)

Provide consecutive interpretation during project events (ceremonies, workshops, webinars, trainings, conferences, informative community events, etc.) and meetings (technical working groups meetings, meetings between international advisors/experts or UNDP representatives and local counterparts, etc.).

3. Simultaneous Interpretation Services (Portuguese/Tetum to English, English to Portuguese/Tetum)

Provide simultaneous interpretation during project events (ceremonies, workshops, webinars, trainings, conferences, etc.) and meetings (technical working groups meetings, meetings between international advisors/experts or UNDP representatives and local counterparts, etc.).

Expected Outputs, Deliverables and Payment Schedule

The successful individual consultant is expected to deliver the following outputs/key deliverables:

Deliverables/Outputs

Target Due Dates

Review and Approvals Required

Percentage of contract price paid on delivery

Submission and approval of at least one translated document with relevant documentation as evidence (56,000 words).
Submission and approval of evidence of at least one interpretation (either consecutive or simultaneous) carried out related to the scope of the projects (12h of simultaneous interpretation).

April 30th, 2022

Parliament Project Chief Technical Advisor

30%

Submission and approval of at least one translated document with relevant documentation as evidence (56,000 words).

Submission and approval of evidence of at least one interpretation (either consecutive or simultaneous) carried out related to the scope of the projects (12h of simultaneous interpretation).

May 31st,

2022

Parliament Project Chief Technical Advisor

35%

Submission and approval of at least one translated document with relevant documentation as evidence (56,000 words).
Submission and approval of evidence of at least one interpretation (either consecutive or simultaneous) carried out related to the scope of the projects (12h of simultaneous interpretation).

June 30th, 2022

Parliament Project Chief Technical Advisor

35%

Institutional Arrangement

The Interpreter will work under supervision of the Chief Technical Advisor of the Parliament project and will be required to work closely with rest of the project team. The Interpreter will report to the Parliament project Chief Technical Advisor on contractual, performance management and administrative matters.

Duration of the Work

The expected duration of this assignment is three months with a start date of April 2022 and planned to be completed by June 2022.

Duty Station

Dili, Timor-Leste.

Competencies

Desired additional skills and competencies

Previous working experience as interpreter/translator in the legislative field is desirable.

Language requirements

Fluent in Portuguese and Tetum (speaking, reading and writing skills)
Excellent knowledge of English (speaking, reading and writing skills).

Required Skills and Experience

Qualifications of the Successful Individual Contractor

Education

Applicants must at the time of application meet the following requirement:

Have graduated with a university degree in the field of literature, international development, or relevant field.

Experience

At least 2 years of professional experience in interpretation and translation services.

Required skills and competencies

Experience working with UNDP and/or the National Parliament Timor-Leste is required;
Working experience in policy and law settings;
Translation experience and knowledge of technical vocabulary in areas such as decentralization and political organization is required;
Translation experience and knowledge of technical vocabulary in the area of gender-based violence at the legislative level is required;
Excellent writing skills, as well as strong analytical aptitude and strong communication skills;
Experience of working with a wide range of stakeholders, from non-governmental organizations to international organizations and government institutions.

Scope of Price Proposal and Schedule of Payments

Technical Criteria

Maximum obtainable points

Weight percentage

Education:

First level university degree in the field of literature, international development, or relevant field.

10

10 %

Years of experience and knowledge of the sector:

At least 2 years of professional experience in interpretation and translation services.
Experience working with UNDP and/or the National Parliament Timor-Leste is required;
Working experience in policy and law settings;
Translation experience and knowledge of technical vocabulary in areas such as decentralization and political organization is required;

Translation experience and knowledge of technical vocabulary in the area of gender-based violence at the legislative level is required;
Excellent writing skills, as well as strong analytical aptitude and strong communication skills;

Experience of working with a wide range of stakeholders, from non-governmental organizations to international organizations and government institutions.

40

40 %

Language Requirements:

Fluent in Portuguese and Tetum (speaking, reading, and writing skills)
Excellent knowledge of English (speaking, reading, and writing skills)

20

20%

Total technical score:

70

70%

Financial:

30

30%

Final Score:

100

100%