Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)
D
Family Type (not applicable for home-based)
Family
Staff Member / Affiliate Type
UNOPS LICA4
2025-06-01
Deadline for Applications
May 21, 2025
General Background
Following an outbreak of violence in Myanmar's Rakhine state on 25 August 2017, an influx of Rohingya refugees began fleeing over the border into Bangladesh. The Rohingya minority from Myanmar fled their country of origin, sought refuge, and found shelter in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh resulting in the current presence of over 1.1 million refugees (including around 37,000 previously registered refugees). The Rohingya have faced statelessness, systematic discrimination, and targeted violence in Myanmar for decades before fleeing to Bangladesh.
As of 31 March 2025, over 1 million Rohingya refugees reside in 33 camps in Ukhiya and Teknaf Upazilas of Cox’s Bazar District and on an island Bhasan Char in Noakhali District. UNHCR, together with other UN agencies and partners, has been assisting the Government of Bangladesh to provide basic humanitarian assistance and services.
It is in this context that the unit urgently requires three resettlement assistants who will assist resettlement activities including interpretation between Rohingya language, English, Bangla, and vice versa where necessary during confidential protection interviews and contribute to the work of UNHCR.
2. Purpose and Scope of Assignment
Main responsibilities
• Provide accurate and professional word for word interpretation between Rohingya language and English and vice versa during confidential protection interviews, counselling sessions, resettlement interviews. Translate Bengali into English and vice versa where necessary.
• While interpreting the resettlement assistant adheres to the Undertaking of Confidentiality and Impartiality and understands that he/she shall be expected to respect the principle of confidentiality and remain impartial in his/her work.
• Assist the unit by carrying out support functions such as organizing transport for the unit, contacting refugees to obtain additional information /scheduling them for interviews in accordance with SOPs.
• Assist in logistical arrangements of selection missions by resettlement countries
• Carry out preliminary screenings and initial assessments, to process refugees for resettlement following established procedures;
• Assist in maintaining accurate resettlement statistics as well as up-to-date records on individual cases; assist in the preparation of reports.
• Assist in mitigating resettlement fraud by reporting suspected fraud;
• Regular travel to refugee camps and or resettlement processing sites in and around Cox’s Bazar to carry out the above mentioned functions.
3. Monitoring and Progress Controls
Weekly Reporting to direct line manager, Mid-year and end year review of set objectives in line with operational targets for resettlement.
4. Qualifications and Experience
Essential
1. Fluency in Rohingya or Chittagonian, Bengali and English.
2. Proven skills in communicating proficiently from the assigned language to English and vice versa. This means accurate listening, speaking, reading, and writing, reporting in both languages in a verbatim and efficient manner.
3. Possess high standards of professional conduct and ethics in the course of performing interpretation and translation services.
4. Knowledge of computer applications, including Microsoft Office packages (Word and Excel).
5. Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment and respect diversity.
Desirable
1. Fluency in Burmese, both written and oral skills
2. Experience in conducting resettlement activities, including interviewing and resettlement case management
3. Familiarity with UNHCR’s work.
4. Field experience – particularly with NGOs or UN agencies working with refugees in countries of refuge
a. Education
1. High school Diploma is required.
2. Additional education training is desirable.
3. Completion of interpreter training courses preferred.
b. Work Experience
1-year relevant experience with High School Diploma;
Prior experience in
interpretation/translation is desirable
c. Key Competencies
Core Competencies
Accountability
Communication
Organizational Awareness
Teamwork & Collaboration
Commitment to Continuous Learning
Client & Result Orientation
Managerial Competencies
Not applicable
Cross-Functional Competencies
Analytical Thinking
Planning and Organizing
Stakeholder Management
Required:
- Diverse field experience. Experience in interpreting in various contexts in the required languages.
Desirable Skills –
- Familiarity with UNHCR’s work.
- Field experience – particularly with NGOs or UN agencies working with refugees in countries of refuge
- Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively in teams;
- Ability to work in stressful situations and in hardship locations.
Standard Job Description
Required Languages
,
,
Desired Languages
,
,
Additional Qualifications
Skills
Education
Certifications
International Law - Other, International Relations - Other
Other information
This position doesn't require a functional clearance
Remote
No