Social Media Translation for OCHA Afghanistan

Organizational Context

OCHA mobilizes and coordinates principled humanitarian action to alleviate suffering, advocate for rights, promote preparedness, and facilitate solutions in disasters and emergencies. Established by UN General Assembly Resolution 46/182, OCHA operates in Afghanistan, a deeply fragile country facing insecurity, protection concerns, and restrictions on women and girls. The nation is also highly vulnerable to natural disasters like earthquakes and floods, exacerbated by conflict and climate change, increasing the need for emergency support.

Job Purpose

This Online Volunteering assignment supports OCHA Afghanistan's critical communication efforts by translating social media and public information content from English into Pashto and Dari. Operating in Afghanistan, a deeply fragile and crisis-affected country experiencing persistent insecurity, protection concerns, and frequent natural disasters, the volunteer's role is paramount. The contribution ensures that vital humanitarian messages, encompassing social media posts, campaigns, visual content, press releases, and monthly updates, are accurately localized and made accessible to Pashto and Dari-speaking audiences. This directly enhances OCHA's outreach and information dissemination capabilities in a complex operational environment, thereby helping to inform, protect, and support vulnerable populations across the country.

Responsibilities

The Online Volunteer will be responsible for translating and adapting a diverse range of communication and social media content from English into Pashto and Dari for OCHA Afghanistan. A core duty involves translating and localizing social media posts and campaigns for various digital platforms, with an expected output of 3-5 items per week, ensuring cultural relevance and clarity for the target audience. The volunteer will also translate social media cards and other visual content, ensuring their messaging is clear and highly relevant to the Afghan audience. Furthermore, the role requires translating essential public information materials, including press releases, monthly humanitarian updates, and other communication-related documents as needed. A critical responsibility is to ensure that all translated content is consistently accurate, clear, and context-appropriate for effective humanitarian messaging. This includes maintaining strict consistency in terminology and tone across all communication products to uphold OCHA's professional standards. This comprehensive translation effort is vital for ensuring that key humanitarian and communication messages are fully accessible to Pashto and Dari-speaking populations throughout Afghanistan.

Work Experience

Candidates must possess proven experience in translation or content adaptation. Familiarity with humanitarian communication is considered a valuable asset, demonstrating an understanding of the specific context and messaging nuances. Additionally, familiarity with design software, such as Adobe Creative Cloud (Adobe CC) or Canva, is also an asset, indicating an ability to handle visual content translation effectively.

Skills

Essential skills include fluent written and spoken English, Dari, and Pashto. Candidates must demonstrate a strong understanding of communication and social media content. The ability to produce clear, accurate, and context-sensitive translations, especially within a humanitarian framework, is crucial. Furthermore, strong attention to detail and a proven ability to meet deadlines are required competencies for this role.

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