Translation and Interpretation Officer (Sinhala- English)

Job Highlight
Enable Sinhala-speaking civil society partners to access Vriddhi information and participate meaningfully in programme activities through timely, accurate and context-sensitive translation and interpretation.
Role Purpose
The Translation and Interpretation Officer will provide written translation between English and Sinhala, and consecutive or simultaneous interpretation for online and occasional in-person engagements, as requested by the Vriddhi programme.
Functions / Key Results Expected
Translation and language review
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.
Interpretation
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.
Quality, confidentiality and coordination
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.
Education Requirements
Required
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.
Desired
Formal training or professional certification in translation or interpretation from a National body is desired.
Required
Experience Requirements
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.
Desired
Experience supporting the United Nations, international organizations, civil society organizations or donor-funded programmes.
Experience translating or interpreting content related to grants, finance, monitoring and evaluation, training or safeguarding.
Familiarity with the Sri Lankan civil society and development context.

Work arrangement
Yes