IRI Moldova - Internal Interpreters 

The International Republican Institute (IRI) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, organization dedicated to advancing freedom and democracy worldwide.  Since 1983, IRI has worked to develop democratic institutions and ideals, carrying out a variety of international programs to promote freedom, self-government and the rule of law worldwide.  IRI provides technical assistance in the areas of political party strengthening, developing civic institutions and open elections, promoting democratic governance and advancing the rule of law.

IRI will be conducting a long-term election observation mission in the Republic of Moldova to observe the electoral process before the country’s 2019 parliamentary elections.  IRI is currently recruiting candidates for seven full time interpreter positions, plus alternates.  It is expected that deployment for all selected candidates will take place at least 90 days ahead of Election Day which is scheduled for February 24, 2019 and will remain on the ground for a month after the election to observe the post-election environment. 

Interpreters will be assigned to a team of two long term observers (LTOs) who will operate in and around one of the following regions: Edinet, Anenii Noi, Ungheni, Hincesti, Orhei, Comrat. Teams will travel to each municipality in their assigned region to conduct pre-election observation activities. To the extent possible, drivers and interpreters should be hired from the same community or area where LTOs will observe. Interpreters are crucial members of the observation teams and are expected to have a good general knowledge of the area. Interpreters are expected to maintain high standards of professionalism, impartiality and cultural awareness always.  Preference will be given to interpreters that can demonstrate they have extensive personal contacts in one of the regions of Moldova outlined above.

Period of Performance:

November 26, 2018- March 26, 2019

Scope of Work:

Selected Contractor(s) will perform the following tasks:

• Serve as important members of IRI’s observation project and support LTOs with translation in their assigned region. Interpreters may be regularly required to work extended hours outside of a 9am-5pm workday.
• Read, write, and speak at a professional level in Romanian, Russian, and English. An interpreter with the ability to speak minority languages represented in Moldova is desired, but not required.
• Support LTOs by providing translation (either consecutive or simultaneous as appropriate) of the previously mentioned required languages during meetings with stakeholders throughout the course of the mission, ensuring that the meaning of the interlocuters is retained. Interpreters may be required to translate for several hours each day, requiring stamina, focus and mental acuity.
• Research technical and legal terminology to find the correct translation as needed. Interpreters with a knowledge of political and legal vocabulary related to elections and Moldovan politics are preferred.
• Read through any preparatory/background information provided by IRI or LTOs to prepare for meetings and mission activities 
• Travel within Moldova with IRI LTOs and drivers on a regular basis.
• Remain an impartial representative of IRI’s election observation mission at the local level and not vocally support or oppose any political party or candidate during the period of the agreement.
• Strong applications will demonstrate extensive personal contacts within local government, civil society, and community leadership within a region of Moldova.

Technical Bid:

Interested bidders must outline the following information:

1. Proven written, oral, and comprehension proficiency in English, Romanian, and Russian. Knowledge of minority languages should also be mentioned if relevant.  
2. Ability to work under pressure.
3. Broad knowledge of vocabulary in several sectors such as politics, law, and Moldovan society.
4. Ability to convert concepts in the source language to equivalent concepts in the target language.
5. Render spoken messages accurately, quickly, and clearly.

Bids should include the following:

1.  Offeror’s personal CV
2. A selection of recent translation experience (events, documents, etc.) 
3. At least one (1) reference

Price information should be presented as a firm-fixed Unit Price in the format of the table below. If there are any additional fees not reflected in the table below, such pricing must be fully described in the bid. Bids must be submitted in U.S. Dollars (USD) or Moldovan Lei (MDL). 

IRI intends to make an award to the responsible Bidder based on the following evaluation factors:

Submission Instructions: 

Bids must be submitted via email to Sveatoslav Beglita, at [email protected] . The application deadline is: Wednesday, October 24, 2018