Organization Mission

UNDP works in more than 170 countries and territories, helping to achieve the eradication of poverty and the reduction of inequalities and exclusion. We help countries develop policies, leadership skills, partnering abilities, institutional capabilities and build resilience to sustain development results. UNDP has been present in Malawi since 1964.

Working closely with the Government of Malawi, civil society and the private sector, UNDP” s work aims to contribute to economic growth, sustainable environmental management, and democratic governance and accountability in Malawi.

UNDP’s Country Programme Document is closely aligned to the Malawi Agenda 2063 and supports Malawi’s aim to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.

UNDP ‘s programme is designed to address the interlinked issues of poverty, inequality and vulnerability to shocks and is managed within two portfolios:

Responsive Institutions and Citizen Engagement which works towards strengthening effective, accountable and inclusive governance that promotes civic engagement, respect for human rights, rule of law, peace and democracy. It also works towards strengthening data generation and analysis.

Resilience and Sustainable Growth which focusses on enhancing economic innovation, inclusive business, job creation, and renewable energy access. It also works towards helping Malawi adapt to climate change and build resilience to disasters.

Context

UNDP Malawi is one of the implementing partners of the Malawi Electoral Support Project (MESP) that is aimed at supporting the Malawi Electoral Commission to deliver the 2025 elections in accordance with the high standards set by legislative reforms following the previous elections.

The MESP project has three main components that seek to:

– Improve the capacity of the Malawi Electoral Commission, Malawi Police Service, and civil society to engage in the electoral process

– Support the inclusion of women, youths and Persons living With Disabilities (PWDs) in the electoral process and

– Reduced tensions and disputes regarding the electoral process through the strengthening of existing mechanisms contributing to conflict prevention and mitigation.

In line with conflict prevention and a focus on women’s participation throughout each electoral process, 30 key messages have been developed to promote gender-sensitive electoral processes, encourage women”s political participation, and ensure a safe and inclusive voting environment.

Key Responsibilities

UNDP is seeking the support of two (2) online volunteers to support the translation of English-language messages for the upcoming elections to Chichewa.

The Online Volunteers are expected to work with UNDP’s Elections team to ensure that the messages are culturally appropriate and convey the correct messaging. The assignment will involve the following tasks:

– Both volunteers will work on translating the content from English into Chichewa.

– Volunteers will collaborate to ensure the translation is not only accurate but also reflects the appropriate tone, clarity, and cultural relevance. This includes discussing and agreeing on the most suitable phrasing and terminology.

– The version following a joint effort will be submitted for final review by UNDP.

At the end of the assignment, a certificate of appreciation will be issued from UNV.

Expected Outcome:
• 30 coherent key messages that are successfully translated from English to Chichewa
• Teamwork and collaboration with the fellow online volunteer to deliver the best result.

Required Skills and Experience

We are seeking reliable and detail-orientated volunteers with:

-Native or fluent proficiency in Chichewa and a strong command of English.

– Demonstrated experience in translation or editing (formal or informal).

– Strong attention to detail and cultural sensitivity.

– Familiarity with citizen engagement and outreach is a plus.

– Strong intercultural communication skills and sensitivity to diverse cultural, political, and regional contexts.

– Accreditation or certification from a recognized interpretation/translation institution is highly desirable.