Job Description: Simultaneous Interpretation Services

Position: Simultaneous Interpreter

1. Purpose: As a Simultaneous Interpreter, your role will be to provide expert language interpretation services for the Near East South Asia (NESA) Center for Strategic Studies. NESA's mission is to enhance stability in the Near East and South Asia regions by facilitating academic environments where strategic issues can be addressed, partnerships fostered, defense-related decision-making improved, and cooperation strengthened among military and civilian leaders from the region and the United States.

2. Background: The NESA Center, a part of the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), is responsible for developing civilian and military specialists from the Near East and South Asia regions by conducting professional seminars tailored to mid-to-upper level military and civilian officials in national security policy and strategy planning divisions of regional governments. These seminars involve interaction with officials from various departments, including but not limited to the Ministry of Interior, General Headquarters, Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Foreign Police Force.

3. Period of Performance: The contract period for this position is from 07 Aug to 18 Aug 2023.

4. Scope: As a Simultaneous Interpreter, you will be providing 11-day interpretation services for the Iraqi Capstone Seminar, hosted in the D.C. Metropolitan area. You will be required to offer interpretation in English/Kurdish and Kurdish/English, as well as English/Arabic and Arabic/English. The services include language interpretation, interpretation equipment management, on-site support, and translation services.

5. Responsibilities and Approach:

• Provide interpretation services in accordance with the Performance Work Statement (PWS) at the specified Fort McNair, NESA Center, and other offsite locations as required.
• Be available on-site from 4 Aug to handle setup, troubleshooting, and repair of interpretation equipment.
• Collaborate with the Program Manager, AV Technician, and other interpreters to ensure smooth interpretation services during the seminar sessions.
• Dress in appropriate business attire during work hours, adhering to the guidelines set by NESA.

1. Minimum Acceptability Standards:

• Hold a bachelor's degree, with a preference for a degree in Political Science.
• Possess relevant certifications as an interpreter, such as a court interpreter, Department of State conference or seminar interpreter test, or accreditation from a school of languages and linguistics or American Translators Association (ATA).
• Advanced Certification is preferred.
• Have a minimum of 3 years of professional/formal simultaneous interpreting experience in conferences, seminars, or the court system (or similar settings).
• Be familiar with defense-related terms and DOD Terminology to ensure accurate and comprehensive interpretation.
• Demonstrate excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

1. Schedule:

• Participate in setup and testing on 4 Aug 2023 from 10:00 a.m. to 13:00 p.m.
• Provide interpretation services from 7 Aug to 18 Aug 2023, starting from 08:30 a.m. to 16:00 p.m., with exceptions on 5-6 Aug and 12-13 Aug (Sat-Sun) where no services are required.
• Collaborate with the Technical Point of Contact (TPC) or Contracting Officer (CO) to address any changes or adjustments in the "Language Agenda" provided by the contracted Program Manager within 24 hours of the seminar.

1. Equipment and Service Requirements:

• Utilize and manage interpretation equipment, including Interpretation Console Transmitter/Receiver, Interpreter Headset, Microphone Central Unit (Zoom Linkage), Laptop computer for Zoom, Wireless Headsets with earpiece, Table microphones (Push/Talk), Speaker Table Microphones, and Lapel microphones as needed.
• Set up and validate equipment, including Zoom link, for the seminar sessions.
• Collaborate with the AV Technician for proper setup and dismantle of equipment as required.

Note: All communication regarding this position will occur between the Vendor and the Technical Point of Contact (TPC). Any additional requirements from NESA will be addressed to the Contract Specialist and Contracting Officer (CO).

The successful candidate will play a crucial role in ensuring effective communication during the Iraqi Capstone Seminar, contributing to the NESA Center's mission of promoting stability and cooperation in the Near East and South Asia regions.