Position Title: Language Assistant in the Office of the Special Representative
Receiving Agency: Gang Suppression Force Secretariat Haiti
P Level: TBD (based on level of experience)
Location: Port au Prince, Haiti
Duration: 18 months (Until Sep, 2027)
Language: English and French fluency required. Fluency is Haitian Creole is an advantage.

**Applications restricted to Haitian nationals**

Background

On 30 September 2025, the United Nations Security Council authorized, in resolution 2793 (UNSCR 2793), Member States to transition the deployed Multinational Security Support (MSS) in Haiti to the Gang Suppression Force (GSF), in close cooperation and coordination with the Government of Haiti, for an initial period of twelve months. The GSF mandate includes multiple tasks, including to conduct intelligence-led targeted, counter-gang operations to neutralize, isolate, and deter gangs that continue to threaten the civilian population, abuse human rights and undermine Haitian institutions.
The United Nations Secretary-General is authorized to establish a UN Support Office in Haiti (UNSOH) to provide comprehensive logistical and operational support to the GSF and to the Haitian National police (HNP) and the Haitian armed forces on any joint operations with the GSF. UNSOH will also provide technical support, through voluntary funding contributions, to the Organization of American States (OAS) SECURE-Haiti project and will provide standard United Nations mission support services to the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH).
The Standing Group of Partners (SGP) has the role of providing, in consultation with the Government of Haiti, high-level strategic direction, oversight, and relevant political decision-making for the GSF as appropriate. The SGP is overall responsible for (a) securing voluntary financial contributions for GSF personnel costs reimbursements; (b) facilitating force (military and police) generation; and (c) providing high level strategic representation and coordination for the GSF.

The SGP shall appoint a Special Representative (SR) who, as in-country head of the GSF, will report to the SGP and provide strategic oversight, representation and coordination for the GSF. The SGP appointed GSF Force Commander shall report to the SR and is responsible for operational command and day-to-day operational decision-making for the uniformed components of the GSF.

The SR is supported by an Office of the SR (the civilian component of the GSF)

Career Experience

The Language Assistant shall have: a minimum of three years of experience in providing interpretation and translation services from French to English is required. Additionally, candidates should have a proven track record of working in diverse and challenging environments, preferably in a context related to international organizations and/or field missions. Experience in liaising with various stakeholders and providing language support in high level meetings and events is also beneficial. Candidates must possess a Bachelors degree or equivalent in French language or linguistics, communications, or related field; specialised certification in interpretation and/or translation is an advantage. Candidates are expected to have a solid foundation in language skills and cultural awareness to perform effectively in a multilingual environment.

Languages

Fluency in English and French (both oral and written) is required. Fluency in Haitian Creole (Kreyòl Ayisyen) is an advantage.

Responsibilities of the Language Assistant

The Language Assistant plays a crucial role in facilitating communication between GSF senior leaders and the local population. This position requires the incumbent to provide interpretation and translation services, ensuring that messages are conveyed accurately and effectively. The Language Assistant will work closely with various GSF staff and components, including military and police personnel, to support mission operations and activities. The role demands a high level of professionalism and the ability to navigate complex cultural dynamics, and is key to enhancing the effectiveness of GSF engagement with the local community and ensuring that the mission's objectives are met.

The Language Assistant shall be responsible for, during GSF start-up and thereafter continue to exercise, the following tasks:

• providing clear and concise verbal communication and interpretation between senior mission leaders and the local population;
• translating documents and communications from French to English (and, if possible, from local Creole dialect to English);
• liaising with counterparts in other sections regarding scheduling and administrative arrangements, as needed;
• collaborating with GSF public information and communications staff and other mission staff in the field;
• assisting front office staff with the preparation of drafts, briefing notes, and background information;
• filing and retrieving office documents;

The Language Assistant may be requested by the SR to perform other duties, as required.

Additional Notes
This position is open to local recruitment in Haiti, meaning that local applicants must be legally able to work in Haiti. It is important to note that GSF staff members subject to local recruitment are not eligible for allowances or benefits that are exclusively applicable to internationally recruited staff.



CANADEM and its partners have a no-tolerance policy for inaction to prevent, respond to and follow up on alleged cases of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment (SEAH). For this reason, we adhere to all policies, procedures and training of the United Nations on The Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment (PSEAH). CANADEM mandates all deployees successfully complete the PSEA online course. This e-learning course is composed of a set of lessons designed to raise awareness about SEAH, become familiar with a range of measures to combat SEAH, understand the impact on victims and the consequences for UN Personnel who commit Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment.