Translation and Interpretation Officer (Sinhala- English)

The Translation and Interpretation Officer provides written translation between English and Sinhala, and consecutive or simultaneous interpretation for online and occasional in-person engagements, supporting inclusive participation and accurate communication for the Vriddhi programme.

Responsibilities

• Translate documents accurately between English and Sinhala, while preserving meaning, tone, structure and intended audience.
• Translate programme reports, course and training materials, presentations, guidance documents, calls for proposals, programme and grant-related materials, social media content and other communications assigned by Vriddhi or UNOPS teams.
• Review and proofread translated material for grammar, clarity, consistency and correct use of terminology before submission.
• Maintain consistent terminology across assignments and, when requested, develop or update a bilingual glossary of frequently used programme terms.
• Format translations to follow the source document as closely as reasonably possible and clearly flag text whose meaning requires clarification.
• Provide live interpretation between English and Sinhala during online meetings, consultations, webinars and training sessions.
• Provide interpretation during occasional in-person meetings, dialogues, workshops, capacity-building activities, field visits and engagements with diplomatic missions and other stakeholders in Sri Lanka.
• Review agendas and reference materials in advance and prepare relevant terminology for each assignment.
• Use accurate terminology relating to protection, human rights, civil society, inclusion, programme management, grants, finance, monitoring and evaluation, gender, IT and capacity building.
• Respond promptly to assignment requests, confirm availability and meet agreed deadlines, including short deadlines where reasonably required.
• Incorporate reasonable feedback and correct errors promptly where the submitted work does not meet the agreed requirements.
• Treat all documents, discussions, participant information and programme information as confidential and comply with applicable UNOPS requirements on safeguarding, data protection and professional conduct.
• Coordinate with the designated Vriddhi focal point and submit completed work in the requested editable format.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in translation, interpretation, languages, linguistics, communication, social sciences, law, human rights, development studies or another relevant field with 2 years of relevant experience is required.
• Formal training or professional certification in translation or interpretation from a National body is desired.
• A minimum of two years of professional experience in translation and interpretation is required, including experience translating technical or programme-related documents and providing live interpretation in online and/or in-person settings.
• Demonstrated ability to translate technical or programme content accurately and communicate complex ideas in clear, natural language.
• Knowledge of terminology used in protection, human rights, civil society, inclusion, programme management and development programming.
• Strong proofreading, editing and quality-control skills, with the ability to meet agreed deadlines.
• Proficiency in google workplace and online meeting applications.
• Experience supporting the United Nations, international organizations, civil society organizations or donor-funded programmes is desired.
• Experience translating or interpreting content related to grants, finance, monitoring and evaluation, training or safeguarding is desired.
• Familiarity with the Sri Lankan civil society and development context is desired.

Skills

• Translation
• Interpretation
• Technical Translation
• Live Interpretation
• Proofreading
• Editing
• Quality Control
• Terminology Knowledge
• Google Workplace
• Online Meeting Applications
• Translation Certification
• Programme Content Translation
• Human Rights Terminology
• Civil Society Knowledge
• Development Programs
• Deadline Management

Languages

English, Sinhala