CUVKUN GEF/UNDP Project: Bilingual Language Specialist (Portuguese & English)

Enhanced Water Security and Community Resilience in the Adjacent Cuvelai and Kunene Transboundary River Basins (CUVKUN) Project

Financing Agency: Global Environment Facility (GEF)

GEF Implementing Agency: United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

UNDP Executing Agency: Global Water Partnership Southern Africa (GWPSA)

Location: The Cuvelai and Kunene River Basins in Northern Namibia and Southern Angola

Duty station: Oshakati, Namibia

Duration: 3 years (renewable upon availability of funding)

BACKGROUND

The Cuvelai Watercourse Commission (CUVECOM) was established on 16 September 2014 to manage the shared transboundary waters of the Cuvelai Watercourse. The secretariat is currently based in Oshakati, Namibia. Adjacent to the Cuvelai River Basin is the Kunene River Basin. Transboundary cooperation for the Kunene Watercourse is managed through a Permanent Joint Technical Commission (PJTC) established in 1990. Both the Cuvelai and Kunene Watercourses are shared between the Republic of Angola and the Republic of Namibia.

The Global Water Partnership Southern Africa (GWP) is an intergovernmental organisation established in 1996 to support countries in implementing more equitable and sustainable management of their water resources. The network spans 13 regions with 2,400 institutional Partners in 158 countries. The global secretariat is in Stockholm, Sweden. The GWP Africa Coordination Unit is based at GWP Southern Africa in Pretoria, South Africa and coordinates GWP Africa programmes across Africa. GWPSA also hosts the GWP global theme on Climate resilience and is charged with providing global strategic leadership and coordination in implementing the GWP strategy on climate resilience.

ENHANCED WATER SECURITY AND COMMUNITY RESILIENCE IN THE ADJACENT CUVELAI AND KUNENE TRANSBOUNDARY RIVER BASINS (“CUVKUN PROJECT”)

The CUVKUN project aims to improve water resources management in the transboundary Kunene and Cuvelai basins shared by Angola and Namibia. There is increasing water scarcity and hydrological variability, exacerbated by climate change within the region.  The need for the comprehensive monitoring of climate and water resources and the sharing of information has never been greater, as also the need to improve systems that can provide early warning of climate-related disasters.

The USD 11 million project is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and led by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) as the GEF Implementing Agency. The Global Water Partnership Southern Africa (GWPSA) is the Executing Agency, while the Cuvelai Commission (CUVECOM) and Kunene Permanent Joint Technical Committee (PJTC) are the focal custodians of the project implementation.

The project will undertake a suite of other activities designed to strengthen joint management and planning capacity and practices at the transboundary basin level.  These activities will be implemented under six (6) project components:

• Component 1: Strengthening the transboundary and conjunctive water resources management in the Cuvelai River Basin;
• Component 2: Strengthening the transboundary water resources management with future development scenario analysis in the Kunene River Basin;
• Component 3: Strengthening the governance of the Cuvelai and Kunene River Basins to foster joint management by the two countries in the most cost-effective manner;
• Component 4: Strengthening institutional, technical and operational capacity in Angola to sustainably develop and manage the sub-region’s water tower located in Angola;
• Component 5: Enhancing the community participation in Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) to build resilience in their livelihoods;
• Component 6: Supporting outreach and Knowledge Management for replication, upscaling, and stakeholder engagement.

BILINGUAL LANGUAGE SPECIALIST (PORTUGUESE & ENGLISH)

GWPSA seeks to hire a Bilingual Language Specialist (Portuguese & English) to be stationed in Oshakati, Namibia for the aforementioned project. The Bilingual Language Specialist (Portuguese & English) will support the project and CUVECOM to facilitate clear and accurate communication by interpreting between English and Portuguese and vice versa, and translating and editing project documents, reports, and communications. Duties will be split between working on the GEF Project and other CUVECOM/PJTC projects.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Accurately translate and edit various project documents, including reports, technical papers, and contracts, from English to Portuguese and vice versa, ensuring that the content is contextually correct and meets the project’s language standards.
• Translate PowerPoint Presentations: Convert PowerPoint presentations between English and Portuguese, ensuring that all textual and graphical content is accurately translated and formatted to maintain the presentation’s effectiveness and clarity.
• Translation of Letters and Emails: Translate official letters, emails, and other correspondence between English and Portuguese as required, ensuring that communication is clear, professional, and aligns with the project’s objectives.
• Provide Interpretation at Meetings: Offer real-time interpretation services during meetings, workshops, and conferences to facilitate smooth and effective communication between English and Portuguese-speaking participants.
• Regularly update and maintain the CUVECOM/PJTC website content in both English and Portuguese, ensuring that all information is current, accessible, and accurately reflects the latest project developments and announcements.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

Education:

• A bachelor’s degree in Translation, Linguistics, Language Studies, or a related field. Advanced degrees or specialised certifications in translation or interpretation are highly desirable.

Experience:

• At least 3-5 years of professional experience in translation and interpretation, particularly in the context of international development projects or similar sectors. Experience with technical, legal, and administrative documentation is a plus.
• Experience translating technical, legal, or policy documents related to water management, environmental issues, or international development.
• Proven track record of providing language support for project documentation, meetings, and communications in a multi-stakeholder environment.
• Experience in updating and maintaining bilingual content on websites and other digital platforms.
• Demonstrated ability to provide accurate and effective simultaneous or consecutive interpretation in meetings, workshops, and conferences.

Language Requirements:

• Native or near-native proficiency in both Portuguese and English, with a strong grasp of grammar, syntax, and idiomatic expressions in both languages

COMPETENCIES

• Ability to translate and edit technical documents accurately, ensuring clarity and consistency in both languages.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to convey complex information clearly and accurately in both languages.
• Understanding of cultural differences between Portuguese and English-speaking regions, particularly in the context of Southern Africa and project stakeholders, and the ability to adapt language use accordingly.
• Proficiency in translation software and tools, such as CAT (Computer-Assisted Translation) tools. Familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite, including PowerPoint, and content management systems for website updates
• Strong attention to detail to ensure high-quality translations and adherence to project requirements and deadlines.
• Ability to work collaboratively with team members, project stakeholders, and external partners, and to handle sensitive information with discretion.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• Applicants must be nationals of either Namibia or Angola
• Applicant must be willing and able to travel as needed.

APPLICATIONS

• Candidates should submit an application package in English through the online application system and not via email, including a cover letter (with salary history and requirements), and a minimum of three references: https://gwpsanpc.bamboohr.com/careers/108
• Only short-listed candidates will be contacted within 4 weeks after the application deadline.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• Questions can be directed to mark.naidoo@gwpsaf.org
• Deadline: 31st January 2024 – 00:00 (midnight) Pretoria