Job Overview
Are you an experienced professional dedicated to language services coordination and quality assurance within global health? The World Health Organization (WHO) Western Pacific Region (WPRO) actively seeks a talented Language Services Consultant WHO WPRO to join its vital team. This crucial role ensures seamless, high-quality translation and interpretation services, particularly for high-level events like Governing Bodies and Regional Committee meetings.
This on-site consultancy is based in Manila. However, it requires travel to Nadi, Fiji, for the Regional Committee Meeting in October 2025. If you’re ready to make a significant impact on global health communications, we strongly encourage your application!
Purpose of This Language Services Consultant WHO WPRO Role
This consultancy centrally supports key output delivery. It significantly contributes to high-level coordination and quality assurance for upcoming WHO events. This includes critical Governing Bodies meetings and the Regional Committee Meeting. Ultimately, it ensures clear, accurate communication across diverse linguistic needs as a dedicated Language Services Consultant WHO WPRO.
Consultant Language Services Coordination & Quality Assurance.
Key Responsibilities: Impacting Language Services at WHO WPRO
As our Language Services Consultant, you will:
- Efficiently Coordinate & Deliver: First, drive timely, high-quality interpretation and translation services. Additionally, provide expert advice to technical units and country offices on translation and interpretation in Chinese, English, and French.
- Ensure Quality: You will provide quality assurance for translated materials. You will also assist in proofreading and editing English content for selected information products. Consequently, you will develop costed work plans and proposals for translation service delivery for WHO WPRO.
- Manage Freelance Pools: Furthermore, coordinate effectively with external freelance translators and interpreters. This includes French and Chinese pools for Governing Bodies meetings. Subsequently, track translation assignments. Ensure smooth workflow and timely delivery. Finally, monitor the use of the United Nations’ eLUNa machine translation platform for official document translation.
- Optimize Documentation: In addition, conduct comprehensive reviews of documentation, correspondence, and records management practices. Ensure accuracy, consistency, and adherence to organizational standards and confidentiality. This involves drafting and proofreading in English and French, always aligning with WHO formats.
- Drive Innovation: Lastly, implement targeted quality assurance and process innovation initiatives. Improve efficiency, ensure compliance, and foster sustainable improvements. Offer technical guidance to language contractors and conference staff. Crucially, monitor service quality. Flag performance concerns and recommend improvements based on innovations in language services and digital tools for WHO WPRO.
Who We’re Looking For: Qualifications & Experience for a Language Services Consultant
- Educational Qualifications (Essential): A first-level university degree in linguistics, business administration, or a relevant field. Formal training in language-related studies must supplement this.
- Experience (Essential): You must possess at least three years of extensive experience in translation and language services (English and French). Importantly, you should have a proven track record providing strategic support in office management, executive coordination, and high-level communications within complex organizational environments.
- Experience (Desirable): Relevant experience within WHO or another United Nations agency is a distinct advantage.
Skills & Languages: Your Toolkit for Success as a WHO WPRO Consultant
- Languages (Essential): Expert proficiency in both written and spoken French and English is mandatory.
- Skills/Knowledge (Essential): You need strong computer skills. This includes standard office software and computerized systems/databases. Furthermore, excellent organizational skills are vital. These include maintaining filing systems and managing documentation. Also, a proven ability to conduct research and prepare reports and briefing materials is essential.
- Skills (Desirable): Familiarity with procedures, rules, and regulations within the United Nations or WHO context would be beneficial.
Logistics & Compensation
- Location: On-site at the WHO Western Pacific Regional Office, Manila.
- Travel: Required travel to Nadi, Fiji, from October 13-24, 2025. This trip is for the Regional Committee Meeting to coordinate language services for WHO WPRO.
- Remuneration: Pay band A, equivalent to USD 3,955.00 per month.
- Work Schedule: This consultancy assignment follows regular working hours. However, flexibility to perform related tasks outside of standard office hours is expected. This adapts to the nature of the work.
- Duration: This consultancy spans 11 months, from July 2025 to June 2026.
Additional Important Information
- This vacancy notice may identify candidates for other similar consultancies at the same level.
- Furthermore, only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
- A written test may serve as a form of screening.
- If your candidature is retained for interview, you must provide a scanned copy of your required degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) in advance. Importantly, WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED).
- WHO values diversity and inclusion. Consequently, it encourages applications from all backgrounds. This includes those regardless of disability status, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, race, marital status, religious, cultural, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, or any other personal characteristics. Therefore, women, persons with disabilities, and nationals from unrepresented or underrepresented Member States are strongly encouraged to apply for WHO jobs.
- Moreover, WHO maintains a zero-tolerance policy against sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment, and other abusive conduct. Consequently, background verifications will occur for all shortlisted candidates.
- Finally, WHO operates a smoke-free environment. It does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
- Consultants perform the work as independent contractors; hence, they are solely responsible for their own taxes and contributions.
- WHO’s contracts are conditional on workforce members confirming vaccination status as required by WHO before undertaking an assignment. Exceptions apply only where a medical condition prevents such vaccination.
Apply today and significantly contribute to WHO’s global mission!
Apply here: https://www.impactpool.org/jobs/1160259
FAQs about the Language Services Consultant Role
Q1: What is the primary focus of this WHO WPRO consultancy? A1: This consultancy primarily supports the coordination and quality assurance of essential translation, interpretation, and language support services for the WHO Western Pacific Region, especially for key official meetings.
Q2: Is this a remote position? A2: No, this is an on-site consultancy based at the WHO Western Pacific Regional Office in Manila. However, it does require some travel for specific events.
Q3: What languages are essential for this role? A3: Expert proficiency in both French and English (written and spoken) is essential for this position. Knowledge of Chinese is also relevant for coordinating services.
Q4: What kind of experience does WHO look for in candidates? A4: WHO seeks candidates with at least three years of extensive experience in translation and language services, coupled with strategic support in office management and high-level communications within complex organizations. Experience within WHO or other UN agencies is a plus.
Q5: What is the duration and compensation for this consultancy? A5: This consultancy is for an 11-month period, from July 2025 to June 2026. The remuneration is USD 3,955.00 per month.
Q6: Will there be travel involved in this consultancy? A6: Yes, required travel includes attending the Regional Committee Meeting in Nadi, Fiji, from October 13-24, 2025, to coordinate language services.
Apply here: https://www.impactpool.org/jobs/1160259
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