Consultant – Coordination and Quality Assurance of Language Services, WPRO

Consultant – Coordination and Quality Assurance of Language Services, WPRO – (2502273)

Contractual Arrangement: External consultant

Contract Duration (Years, Months, Days): 11 months

Job Posting

: Jun 19, 2025, 6:12:37 AM

Closing Date

: Jul 3, 2025, 9:59:00 PM

Primary Location

: Philippines-Manila

Organization

: WP/DPM Director, Programme Management

Schedule

: Full-time

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that the deadline for receipt of applications indicated above reflects your personal device’s system settings.

Purpose of consultancy

This consultancy will support the delivery of key outputs and contribute to high-level coordination and quality assurance activities for upcoming events, including Governing Bodies meetings and the Regional Committee Meeting.

Background

The WHO Western Pacific Region (WPRO) Languages unit provides translation, interpretation and language support services across the Region.

The consultant will play a central role in supporting the coordination and delivery of translation and interpretation services. Working in a bilingual environment, the consultant will provide language-related support in both English and French, facilitate translation workflows, update the reference systems, and assist in organizing multilingual meetings including those for the Organization’s governing bodies.

Deliverables

Output 1: Efficient Coordination and Delivery of Language Services for upcoming events, including Governing Bodies meetings and the Regional Committee Meeting.

Deliverables:

Coordinate the timely delivery of high-quality interpretation and translation services

Provide advice to technical units and country offices on translation and interpretation services in Chinese, English and French.

Provide quality assurance for translated materials and assist in proofreading and editing of English content for selected information products.

Develop costed work plans and proposals for translation service delivery.

Coordinate with external freelance translators and interpreters, including those in French and Chinese pools for the Governing Bodies meetings.

Track translation assignments and ensure smooth workflow and timely delivery.

Monitor the use of the United Nations’ eLUNa machine translation platform for official document translation.

Output 2: Within the consultancy period, conduct comprehensive reviews of documentation, correspondence, and records management practices to ensure accuracy, consistency, and adherence to organizational standards and confidentiality requirements.

Deliverables:

Provide drafting and proofreading support for general correspondence, reports, and documentation in English and French, ensuring consistency with WHO formats and editorial standards, prior to submission for Technical Lead clearance.

Ensure accurate maintenance and timely updates of reference files, shared resources, and the freelancer database, while safeguarding sensitive and confidential data.

Output 3: Within the consultancy period, implement targeted quality assurance and process innovation initiatives to improve efficiency, ensure compliance with organizational standards, and foster sustainable improvements.

Deliverables:

Provide technical guidance and support to language contractors and conference staff as delegated by the Technical Lead.

Monitor service quality and flag performance concerns of freelancers to the Technical Lead.

Stay informed on innovations in the language services environment, including development of digital tools and translation technologies, and recommend improvements where appropriate.

Qualifications, experience, skills, and languages

Educational Qualifications:

Essential: A first-level university degree in linguistics, business administration or relevant field supplemented by formal training language-related studies.

Experience:

Essential: At least three years extensive experience in translation and language services (English and French) with experience in providing strategic support in office management, executive coordination, and high-level communications within complex organizational environments.

Desirable: Relevant experience within WHO or another United Nations agency is considered an advantage.

Skills/Knowledge:

Proficiency in written and spoken French and English

Strong computer skills, including the use of standard office software and operation of computerized systems and databases

Strong organizational skills, including maintaining filing systems and managing documentation

Ability to conduct research and prepare reports and briefing materials

Desirable:

Familiarity with procedures, rules and regulations within the United Nations or WHO context

Languages and level required

Essential: Expert knowledge of French and English

Location

On site: WHO Western Pacific Regional Office, Manila.

Travel

Travel: Regional Committee Meeting, Nadi, Fiji. 13-24 October 2025. Coordination of language services.

Remuneration and budget

Remuneration: Pay band A, USD 3,955.00 (monthly)

Work schedule: The consultancy assignment will follow regular working hours, with the expectation of flexibility to perform related tasks outside of standard office hours, as required by the nature of the work.

Duration: 11 months, July 2025 to June 2026

Additional Information:

• This vacancy notice may be used to identify candidates for other similar consultancies at the same level.
• Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
• A written test may be used as a form of screening.
• If your candidature is retained for interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link: http://www.whed.net/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.
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