Simultaneous Interpreter: French, English, Spanish At Christian Aid

Terms of Reference

Simultaneous Interpretation: French, English, Spanish

1. Background

Christian Aid is an international development organization working globally with partners to implement integrated and innovative programs to end poverty by addressing the underlying causes. Christian Aid’s mission is to tackle the symptoms and root causes of poverty, challenge power structures which put people in poverty and deprive them of dignity and speak truth to power by building the voice and agency of communities to speak for themselves.

As a member of Start Network, Christian Aid in Kenya will support with in-country logistics of the Start network Assembly. This year the Assembly will be held in-person in Nairobi, Kenya and is expected to be attended by approximately 100 delegates.

Start Network is a UK Charity & Company limited by guarantee, operating as a global networked organization. Start Network has more than 50 member organizations across five continents, ranging from large international humanitarian agencies to national NGOs. We are tackling what we believe are the biggest systemic problems that the humanitarian sector faces. Start Network’s vision is for a locally led humanitarian system that is accountable to people affected by and at-risk of crises. We aim to achieve this vision by making systemic-level shifts in the way humanitarian assistance is approached and delivered. To achieve this, we need a substantial change to the current structure evolving from the centralized structure of today to a dispersed, international network of hubs operating nationally and regionally.

The Start Network Assembly is the annual gathering of our members and stakeholders. It features several different components: from interactive sessions and workshops that help us work through challenges facing the network and the sector; thorough inspiring speakers and panelists; to a free-flowing “marketplace” that members can visit to find out more about our work in the past year. It also includes our Annual General Meeting (AGM), where members can formally hold us to account and make key decisions.

Christian Aid is therefore seeking to recruit external simultaneous interpreters with expertise to perform interpretation from English to French/French to English (x1), English to Spanish / Spanish to English (x2) for activities organized under the scope of this project.

2. Overall Objective

The 2023 Assembly will feature both plenary sessions and break-out workshops. The interpreters will be expected to accompany the Spanish and French speaking attendees throughout the event, providing simultaneous interpretation to facilitate their participation in the sessions.

We are expecting 4-5 French speaking delegates (from Democratic Republic of Congo), and 4 Spanish speaking delegates (from Latin America). Please note, a level of flexibility is required as some days may require the interpreter to stay for an extra hour. This will be discussed with the interpreter on each day.

3. Assignment

The consultants will be assigned to do various interpretation assignments required by the Assembly during the 3 days in early November 2023 .

4. Budget and Terms of Payment

Upon completion of the assignment, the applicant will submit an invoice describing the work completed and amount due based on their hourly rate and expenses incurred (up to an amount agreed between Christian Aid Kenya and the applicant). Payment will be made to the applicant upon the project’s completion.

5. Time frame

The assignment will require a Level of Effort (LoE) not exceeding 3 working days from the date of signing the contract. Lunch and snacks at the venue will be provided by Start Network. Please note, applicants will be expected to cover the cost of their travel to and from the venue / Travel to and from the venue will be paid for by Christian Aid up to an amount agreed with the applicant.

6. Consultant (s) Profile

The consultant (s) must have the following qualifications and experience to be eligible for this assignment:

• University degree or equivalent in any relevant subject.
• Demonstrated experience in providing simultaneous interpretation services to UN agencies, development organization or research institutions.
• Experienced and preferably certified interpreter with capacity interpreting from and to English, Spanish and French.
• Native proficiency in one of the targeted languages (French, English or Spanish) and fluency on the language of interpretation.
• Accredited translator/s, translation certification required stating languages qualified to translate.
• Sound interpretation, flexibility, and attention to detail.
• Accredited certification preferred.

7. Ethics and Safeguarding

It is the responsibility of the consultant (s) to strictly adhere to Christian Aid’s Safeguarding Policy. The consultant has the responsibility to ensure that any persons hired, used, or consulted during the process are made familiar with the policy and commit to abide by it during execution of this work. The consultant (s) must sign the policy prior to engagement in the assignment.