UN Women: Sign Language Interpreter (Retainer), Jakarta, Indonesia, National Consultant

UN Women, grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, works for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls; the empowerment of women; and the achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security.

In Indonesia, UN Women works with government, civil society organizations, academia, the media, the public and private sectors to address national priorities of gender equality and women’s empowerment. Placing the advancement of women’s rights at the centre of our work, UN Women Indonesia focuses on (1) ending violence against women (2) women’s economic empowerment (3) governance, peace, and resilience.

UN Women is committed to ensuring that its programmes, activities, and events are inclusive, accessible, and responsive to the needs of persons with disabilities. This commitment is aligned with the principles of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and the United Nations Disability Inclusion Strategy (UNDIS), promoting equal and meaningful participation of all stakeholders.

To strengthen accessibility and ensure effective communication for Deaf and Hard of Hearing participants, UN Women Indonesia requires professional sign language interpretation services for programme implementation activities, including meetings, trainings, workshops, conferences, consultations, public campaigns, high-level dialogues, and virtual events.

UN Women seeks to engage a qualified Sign Language Interpreter under a retainer contract arrangement. The consultant will provide interpretation services on an as-needed basis throughout the contract duration.

The consultant will be engaged under a retainer contract, allowing for direct engagement based on need and availability within the contract period.

The consultant will be reporting to the Programme or Project Manager to whom s/he is assigned with and will be supported by Programme Associate or Programme Assistant, who will be the point of contact on the contract and payment issues.

Description of Responsibilities /Scope of Work

Under the overall supervision of the Programme Team and in coordination with the Operations Team, the consultant will perform the following tasks:

• Provide simultaneous and/or consecutive interpretation as required, both in person and/or virtual platforms, including Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Webex and other designated platforms. 
• Facilitate two-way communication between Deaf/Hard of Hearing participants and hearing participants. 
• Ensure accurate, complete, and impartial interpretation. 
• Convey meaning, tone, intent, and context without distortion while maintaining professional neutrality. 
• For virtual event, conduct technical checks before events when required, Ensure suitable audiovisual quality, internet connectivity, lighting, and positioning for visibility of signing. 
• Coordinate with event organizers regarding accessibility settings.
• Ensure confidentiality of discussions and documents.

Output

• The consultant will provide professional sign language interpretation services for UN Women programme activities and events, including in-person, virtual, and hybrid formats.

Consultant’s Workplace and Official Travel

This is an event-based consultancy. 

• Integrity;
• Professionalism;
• Respect for Diversity.

• Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues;
• Accountability;
• Creative Problem Solving;
• Effective Communication;
• Inclusive Collaboration;
• Stakeholder Engagement;
• Leading by Example.

Please visit this link for more information on UN Women’s Values and Competencies Framework: 

• Advanced proficiency in Indonesian Sign Language (BISINDO and/or SIBI). 
• Strong ability to interpret accurately between spoken Bahasa Indonesia, English (where applicable), and sign language. 
• Ability to provide both simultaneous and consecutive interpretation. 
• Excellent comprehension and expression skills.
• Strong understanding of Deaf culture and Deaf community perspectives. 
• Knowledge of disability inclusion and accessible communication principles. 
• Ability to facilitate meaningful participation of persons with disabilities. 
• Commitment to non-discrimination and inclusive engagement
• Ability to ensure visual and communication accessibility during virtual interpretation assignments.

Education and Certification:

• Completion of secondary education is required. 
• Diploma or Bachelor's Degree in Interpretation, Communication, Linguistics, Disability Studies, Social Sciences, Education, or related fields is highly desirable.

Experience:

• Minimum 6 years of professional experience providing sign language interpretation services with secondary education, or 3 years with a bachelor’s degree.  
• Demonstrated experience interpreting for workshops, conferences, trainings, consultations, meetings, or public events is required.
• Experience working with Deaf communities and organizations of persons with disabilities is required.
• Experience supporting accessibility services for national or international events  is required.
• Experience providing interpretation services during virtual and hybrid events is required.
• Experience supporting gender equality, human rights, disability inclusion, development, or humanitarian programmes is highly desirable. 
• Experience working with government agencies, UN agencies, international organizations, NGOs, or development partners is an asset.

Languages:

• Fluency in Bahasa Indonesia and Indonesian Sign Language (BISINDO and/or SIBI) are required
• English proficiency is an asset 

In July 2010, the United Nations General Assembly created UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. The creation of UN Women came about as part of the UN reform agenda, bringing together resources and mandates for greater impact. It merges and builds on the important work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system (DAW, OSAGI, INSTRAW and UNIFEM), which focused exclusively on gender equality and women's empowerment.

At UN Women, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. UN Women recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, national origin, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, competence, integrity and organizational need.

If you need any reasonable accommodation to support your participation in the recruitment and selection process, please include this information in your application.

UN Women has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UN Women, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to UN Women’s policies and procedures and the standards of conduct expected of UN Women personnel and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. (Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.)

Note: Applicants must ensure that all sections of the application form, including the sections on education and employment history, are completed. If all sections are not completed the application may be disqualified from the recruitment and selection process.