Field Interpreter - Officer Level

Notice of Recruitment – Lao National Staff

Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA) is a Norwegian humanitarian organisation supporting mine action and disarmament, capacity building, and development in many countries around the world. NPA has been engaged in the clearance of unexploded ordnance (UXO) in Lao PDR since 1997. NPA is currently working to survey and clear UXO across four provinces in southern Lao PDR: Champasak, Saravane, Sekong, and Attapeu. Our main offices are located in Vientiane and Pakse.

NPA’s Lao PDR programme is now seeking a qualified, enthusiastic, experienced, and well-motivated person for the following position:

Field Interpreter Officer (FIO): 01 Position (working across 04 southern provinces)

General Responsibilities

• The FIO shall, under the guidance of the TFM and/or FSIO support with translation and interpretation of technical and non-technical documents as required.
• Assist the TFM and other international staff with translation as required.

Specific duties:

• The interpreter is fully conversant with Standard Operating Procedures and guidelines/technical terms used in operations.
• FIO shall wear the issued uniform and suitable footwear while working in the field.
• FIO shall accompany and support the TFM in the field office, on operational field visits and meetings/workshops, as required.
• He/she shall report to the TFM at the end of the working day for further assignments.
• During operations, the interpreter shall be the link between the local population, field teams, and the TFM.
• He/she shall interpret & translate clear and accurately in a firm/confident manner and never attempt to include his/her own opinion into the translation.
• He/she is to provide interpretation during training courses, meetings, and workshops when required.
• He/she may have to travel and stay overnight in other provinces as required.
• He/she may have to work extra hours and evenings as required.
• Any other task or duty as assigned by TFM and FSIO.

Required Qualifications:

Must have:

• University degree in the related field as the position responsibilities as above.
• Driving license and willing to drive according to the class on your license.
• Experience in working with a cross-cultural international organization.

Desirable:

• Formal English language education (training) is an advantage.
• Experience in working with provincial/district authorities.
• Experience in working with a UXO Sector is an advantage.
• Experience in interpretation/translation is an advantage

Other qualifications:

• Fluent in English (Both speaking & writing)
• Computer skills (MS, Teams, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, E-mail, Internet)
• Being diligent and willing to learn new things on the tasks
• Communication and Interpersonal skills
• Flexible to be able to work outside working schedule in case of any emergency, urgent or important tasks as required.
• Being an honest and trusted person to keep confidential information from the interpretation/translation
• Aware of cultural differences of Lao PDR minority groups and respect of different cultural backgrounds, ability to be intercultural.

Personal Competencies:

• Fit to work in the field/ countryside and follow NPA field teams
• Socially competent in the environment that NPA HDP Lao PDR operates and coordinates