Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) - Qualified Translator

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an international, independent, medical humanitarian organization that delivers emergency aid to people affected by armed conflict, epidemics, natural disasters and exclusion from healthcare. MSF offers assistance to people based on need, irrespective of race, religion, gender or political affiliation. MSF is therefore guided by the principles of neutrality and impartiality. These principles must apply to all MSF staff.

Job Details

• Title: Qualified Translator
• Direct Reports: Epidemiologist Activity Manager
• Location: Liwale, Lindi
• Contract Duration: Two months (Non Renewable)

MAIN PURPOSE

Performing professional translation activities and delegated duties depending on supervisor’s specialization and instructions and according to MSF protocols, standards and procedures, in order to ensure a proper representation and translation of MSF activities and core values.

ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Performing professional written and oral interpretation and translation activities according to supervisor’s specialisation (e.g. MD, RN, IC, Pharmacy, Mental Health, Lab, Logistics, Operations, HR), ensuring medical confidentiality, neutralitiy and respect towards patients, collaborators, authorities, military factions and MSF staff.
• Performing administrative tasks required by supervisor (arrangement of meetings, minute taking, and follow-up for patient care). Providing necessary feedback to supervisor following discussions and negotiations. Assisting with report writing (MSF and Government required reports), ensuring that all meeting minutes are recorded and that translated documents are properly filed.
• Depending on the supervisor’s specialisation and the needs of the respective department, establishing and maintaining professional contacts with relevant authorities and communicating MSF’s messages to MoH counterparts and authorities (specifically related to patient care).
• Ensuring that supervisor is aware of cultural nuances when dealing with MoH authorities and counterparts to ensure a good working relationship. Educating supervisor on effective methods of culturally sensitive communication and informing international staff about local customs, tradition, etc. that will help in better communication and understanding of the context.
• Immediately informing supervisor of any problems that might be linked to individual behaviour (counter-productive and/or culturally insensitivity) and declaring any “conflict of interest” when asked to translate (e.g. personal involvement).
• Upholding MSF’s core principles, values, quality standards and Code of Conduct. Respecting MSF’s identification materials and not abusing their use aside from their intended purposes.
• Observing security rules and regulations, NOT putting self and others in danger. Promoting and maintaining MSF quality standards.

Context Specific Accountabilities

For GBS study role and responsibility:

• According to the needs of the Liwale GBS study titled “Feasibility of Screening-based Intrapartum Antibiotic Chemoprophylaxis for Group B Streptococcus Disease Prevention”, facilitate the communication of the study team with the enrolled participants across the different study processes.
• Ensure that the information is correctly transmitted to the study participants in their own language, regarding the study and informed consent, that they fully understand the study process and translate any questions or concerns to the study midwifes/coordinator.
• Ensure confidentiality of the private and medical information of the study participants.
• Conduct interviews (qualitative part of the study) in the needed language (Swahili, Sukuma or Ngindo).
• Support to moderation of qualitative encounters (i.e., focus group discussions).
• Note-taking during qualitative encounters (i.e., focus group discussions), if requested by responsible for qualitative data generation.
• Transcribe and translate from Swahili, Sukuma or Ngindo to English, the field notes and of audio-recorded individual interviews and focus group discussion data in MS Word .docx format, ensuring data quality, accuracy and completeness as well as protection of study participants’ confidentiality and privacy.

For General medical activity support role and responsibility:

• According to the needs at the medical facilities where MSF supporting and at the community where MSF activity take place, support medical team to translate and to communicate with Sukuma women.
• Translate the medical documents into Sukuma as required.

Minimum Educational Qualification

• Essential secondary education, higher education desirable, health knowledge advisable.
• Formal training or diploma in transcription and translating would be an asset.

Experience

• Essential secondary education, higher education desirable, health knowledge advisable.
• Formal training or diploma in transcription and translating would be an asset.

Languages

• Essential: Sukuma and/or Ngindo, Swahili
• Desirable: English

Knowledge

Good computer skills (MS word, Excel, Power Point, Outlook)

Competencies

• Results and Quality Orientation
• Team work and cooperation
• Behavioural flexibility
• Stress Management
• Commitment to MSF Principles
• Service orientation

Women, people living with a disability or any person feeling like being part of a minority is encouraged to apply. MSF is dedicated to fostering a safe work environment with zero tolerance for any form of abuse.

How to Apply

All interested candidates shall submit their motivation letter, CV, copy of relevant professional certificates, and any supporting document to prove your language skill in Sukuma or Ngindo, no later than Monday, 26th January 2026 at 5 PM. Please quote the job title on the email subject “Qualified Translator.”

Please send your application to the email address MSFCH-Tanzania-Recruitment@geneva.msf.org.

The applications can also be submitted at MSF offices situated at Uporoto Street, Plot No.74, House No.22, Ursino Estate, Victoria, Dar es salaam, or in Nduta Refugees Camp, Kibondo District or MSF Guest House Kibondo or at MSF office situated in Liwale, Lindi.

ONLY SHORT-LISTED CANDIDATES WILL BE CONTACTED

If you receive no contact within 6 weeks, you can consider that you have not been pre-selected.

The protection of your personal data is important to MSF. By submitting your application, you consent to MSF using your data only for the recruitment process to have all the information and documents necessary to proceed with the recruitment, validation of your application and selection of the most suitable candidate. Your data will be treated confidentially. Only people part of the recruitment process have access to your data. MSF does not sell your data under any circumstances.

If you have any questions or requests, you can contact MSFCH-Tanzania-PAM@geneva.msf.org.

At MSF, we are committed to an inclusive culture that encourages and supports the diverse voices of our staff members. We strive to create workplaces where teams of people with diverse backgrounds, characteristics, perspectives, ideas, and experiences work together for the social mission of MSF to create better outcomes for the patients and the communities we work with. We welcome applications from individuals of all genders, ages, sexual orientations, ethnicities, background, religions, beliefs, ability status, and all other diversity characteristics.

MSF does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of discrimination or harassment, including sexual harassment. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo reference checks.

Please note that applying to MSF is free of charge, MSF does not charge applicants to consider their application.