National Consultant Sign Language Interpreter (Retainer)), Monrovia, Liberia

Description

Background:

UN Women, grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, works for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls; the empowerment of women; and the achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security.

UN Women’s goal in Liberia is to promote women’s human rights and gender equality which are key in sustaining and furthering achievements in stability and development.  In this regard, its programming in the Country is connected to five corporate priority areas: women’s leadership and political participation; enhancing women’s economic empowerment (WEE); engaging women in all aspects of peace and security processes (WPS) and advancing women’s rights to live free from violence (VAW) and Gender Responsive Governance. UN Women also coordinates and promotes the UN system’s joint work in advancing gender equality. 

UN Women is the United Nations entity dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women. In line with the UN Disability Inclusion Strategy (UNDIS) and UN Women’s commitment to Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI), the organization is strengthening measures to ensure accessibility and the meaningful participation of persons with disabilities in all its engagements.

As part of this commitment, UN Women Liberia seeks to engage qualified Sign Language Interpreter(s) to support accessibility at official events, meetings, consultations, trainings, and public engagements.

The consultant will be reporting to Title, and will be supported by Title, who will be the point of contact on the contract and payment issues.

Description of Responsibilities /Scope of Work

Under the guidance and management of the UN Women Deputy Country Representative, and the direct supervision of the relevant colleagues, the National Consultant will perform the following tasks:

• Provide accurate, professional, and impartial sign language interpretation during UN Women-supported events, including meetings, workshops, trainings, consultations, conferences, and public forums.
• Interpret spoken English into Liberian Sign Language (or other relevant national sign language) and vice versa, as required.
• Review event agendas, background documents, and technical materials in advance to ensure effective and accurate interpretation.
• Ensure appropriate positioning, visibility, and accessibility during in-person, virtual, and hybrid events.
• Maintain confidentiality, neutrality, and professional ethics throughout all assignments.
• Coordinate closely with UN Women programme and operations teams to ensure timely delivery of interpretation services.
• Support UN Women’s efforts to mainstream disability inclusion and accessibility standards across its programming and operations.
• Review of event agendas, programmes, speeches, and relevant background materials to ensure accurate and effective interpretation.
• Coordination with programme and operations staff to confirm schedules, formats, technical arrangements, and accessibility needs
• Consolidate summary of interpretation services delivered during the contract period, including number of assignments and total days/sessions worked

Institutional Agreement

The consultant will report to and work under the direct supervision of the Deputy Country Representative, in close collaboration with the UN Women Liberia Country Office.

Duration of the Work 

The duration of this assignment will be 180 days up to 36 months work assignments, tentatively from June 1, 2026, to May 31,2029. 

Duty Station

This is primarily a home-based consultancy; however, the consultant is expected to be physically present at designated UN Women offices and/or event venues when in-person sign language interpretation is required. Remote simultaneous interpretation (RSI) via approved digital platforms may also be utilized for virtual events. 

 Travel within the country may be required for events held outside the duty station, with prior approval and in accordance with UN Women travel policies. International travel, if required, will be agreed on a case-by-case basis. 

Performance Evaluation

The Consultant’s performance will be evaluated based on timeliness, responsibility, initiative, communication, accuracy, and quality of the products delivered under the retainer agreement and upon certification of satisfactory performance.

Financial Arrangements 

Payment will be made in accordance with UN Women rules and regulations, based on actual days/sessions of interpretation services delivered under the retainer agreement and upon certification of satisfactory performance. 

III. Competencies :

Core Values:

• Integrity;
• Professionalism;
• Respect for Diversity.

Core Competencies:

• Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues;
• Accountability;
• Creative Problem Solving;
• Effective Communication;
• Inclusive Collaboration;
• Stakeholder Engagement;
• Leading by Example.

Please visit this link for more information on UN Women’s Values and Competencies Framework: 

Functional Competencies:

Statements :

In July 2010, the United Nations General Assembly created UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. The creation of UN Women came about as part of the UN reform agenda, bringing together resources and mandates for greater impact. It merges and builds on the important work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system (DAW, OSAGI, INSTRAW and UNIFEM), which focused exclusively on gender equality and women's empowerment.

Diversity and inclusion:

At UN Women, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. UN Women recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, national origin, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, competence, integrity and organizational need.

If you need any reasonable accommodation to support your participation in the recruitment and selection process, please include this information in your application.

UN Women has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UN Women, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to UN Women’s policies and procedures and the standards of conduct expected of UN Women personnel and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. (Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.)

Note: Applicants must ensure that all sections of the application form, including the sections on education and employment history, are completed. If all sections are not completed the application may be disqualified from the recruitment and selection process.