Translation and Interpretation Officer; Sinhala- English

Translation and Interpretation Officer (Sinhala
- English)

Job Category

Duty Station(s)

Home based

Seniority Level

Associate

ICS 08

Contract Type

ICA - LICA
- Specialist
- Retainer

LICA 8

Posting Start Date

21-Oct-2026

Posting End Date

04-Nov-2026

Duration

12 months

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.

The Asia Pacific Regional Office, based in Bangkok, Thailand, provides strategic leadership and oversight for UNOPS operations across 17 countries, ensuring high performance, operational excellence, and alignment with organizational goals. Operations currently span Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Nepal, Papua New Guinea, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Pacific Islands. Across these countries, we work closely with key stakeholders to strengthen partnerships and maximize impact through five main operating units:
Afghanistan (AFCO), Myanmar (MMCO), South Asia Multi-Country Office (SAMCO), East Asia and Pacific Multi-Country Office (EAPMCO), and the Asia Regional Health Cluster (ARHC). Through these entities, we provide agile, client-focused service delivery across diverse sectors - including infrastructure, health, procurement, and project management - supporting the implementation of sustainable development solutions across the region.

The South Asia Multi-Country Office (SAMCO) supports UNOPS operations across six countries:
Bangladesh, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. SAMCO delivers a broad range of services and technical expertise in climate change, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), infrastructure, procurement, human resource management, and fund management. Each country office is staffed with local technical experts and maintains strong partnerships with national governments, ensuring context-specific solutions and effective project implementation.

Vriddhi produces programme documents, reports, learning materials and public information primarily in English. Many civil society partners and participants communicate more effectively in Sinhala. The programme therefore requires a qualified local language
- English Translation and Interpretation Officer to provide accurate written translation and live interpretation when required. The assignment will support inclusive participation while preserving the meaning, tone, confidentiality and technical accuracy of programme content. This TOR refers to services in Sinhala Language.

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.

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…