Translation Support Kurdish to English for UNHCR

UNHCR Bulgaria assists the authorities and civil society organisations working directly or indirectly on the protection of refugees and supports the further development of the national protection system within the ever-evolving pan-European asylum system. On July 22, 1993, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the Government of the Republic of Bulgaria concluded a formal agreement under which the UNHCR's mandate in the country was launched. Previously, in the post-1990 period, around 20 people were granted status under the UNHCR mandate, through a procedure in which interviews were conducted by the Bulgarian Red Cross and status determination was carried out at UNHCR headquarters in Geneva. Historically, the Bulgarian people are known for their traditional sense of hospitality and asylum to persecuted persons from other countries. At the beginning of the 20th century, people banished from Armenia, Russia and Eastern Thrace, as well as people from countries in Africa, Latin America and Asia, fleeing repression during the anti-colonial and liberation struggle after the 1950s, were found refuge. Bulgaria laid the legislative foundations for the protection of refugees with the ratification of the 1951 Geneva Convention and the New York Protocol thereto in 1967 with the publication of the relevant texts in the State Gazette No 88 of 15 October 1993.

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is a global organization dedicated to protecting people forced to flee their homes due to conflict and persecution. Operating in over 130 countries, UNHCR provides life-saving assistance, safeguards fundamental human rights, and helps displaced individuals rebuild their lives with dignity and hope. Since the full-scale escalation of the war in Ukraine in February 2022, Bulgaria has played a vital role as an external EU border country, receiving large numbers of displaced persons. As of May 2026, more than 231 498 individuals have been granted Temporary Protection (TP) in Bulgaria. Currently, there are 72 442 valid TP registrations. Under its mandate, UNHCR leads and coordinates the Inter-Agency Refugee Response for the Ukraine Situation in Bulgaria, in alignment with the Regional Refugee Response Plan (RRP). This coordinated effort is carried out in close collaboration with the Bulgarian government and humanitarian partners. Beyond the Ukraine crisis, Bulgaria remains a key entry point for asylum seekers from other conflict-affected regions. In 2025, the State Agency for Refugees (SAR) registered 3,895 asylum seekers, including from Morocco, Syria, Afghanistan and Iraq. While current figures on the Syrian refugee population in Bulgaria remain fluid, challenges such as limited integration prospects and socio-economic barriers continue to affect long-term inclusion. The sustained presence of Syrian and Afghan nationals underscores Bulgaria’s ongoing role in broader European refugee protection efforts. UNHCR supports the Bulgarian government in aligning national policies and legislation with international and EU standards, promoting a comprehensive, multi-stakeholder, whole-of-society approach to refugee response.

One Online Volunteer will contribute to UNHCR's communication and community engagement efforts by providing accurate, culturally appropriate translation, proofreading, and occasional interpretation support from English into Kurdish (Sorani) or Kurdish (Kurmanji). Specific tasks include: - Translate 1–5 short communication materials per week. This will primarily consist of social media content, but may also include FAQs, posters, handouts, learning materials, and other public information materials as required. - Proofread and edit 1–5 short, translated materials per week to ensure they are clear, accurate, culturally appropriate, and consistent. - Provide interpretation support to facilitate communication with beneficiaries, upon prior arrangement and with advance notice. Expected workload: 1–2 interpretation sessions during the assignment, each lasting approximately 15 minutes to 1 hour. - Online Volunteers are expected to respect the privacy of beneficiaries and maintain discretion when handling sensitive or non-public information shared during the assignment. Tasks will be assigned on an as-needed basis between July and September 2026. Short social media translations are expected to be completed within one working day, while deadlines for longer translation and proofreading assignments will be agreed upon in advance. Interpretation support may occasionally require short-notice availability (1-2 days); however, reasonable flexibility will be exercised based on the Online Volunteer's availability.