Translation Services for a Study Visit to PERKESO (Malaysia) organized by the ProSSCE-ASEAN project

Translation Services for a Study Visit to PERKESO (Malaysia) organized by the ProSSCE-ASEAN project

Background and rationale

Nations in South-East Asia recognize that shortfalls in employment obstruct their economic advancement and their pursuit of sustainable, inclusive progress. Moreover, these countries grapple with formidable obstacles, including the surge in international labour movement, the shift towards digital platforms, disruptive technological advances in employment sectors, widespread informal employment, and the shift towards environmentally sustainable economies as a response to climate change. These factors underscore the necessity of fostering quality employment opportunities, particularly for women, the youth, informal laborers, and other marginalized groups, while also emphasizing the importance of improving productivity and workplace conditions for all employees.

The provision of high-quality and efficient employment services to jobseekers is crucial for invigorating the labour market in Southeast Asia, especially in the current socioeconomic context. This region, characterized by its diverse economies ranging from high-income nations to lower-middle-income countries, is experiencing rapid transformations due to technological advancements, globalization, and shifting demographic patterns. Effective employment services not only match jobseekers with suitable employment opportunities but also equip them with the necessary skills and knowledge to navigate the evolving job market. This is particularly pertinent as the region faces challenges such as automation, the digital divide, and the need for workforce upskilling and reskilling to adapt to new industry demands.

Moreover, high-quality employment services play a pivotal role in fostering a dynamic labour market by ensuring a smoother transition for individuals between jobs and reducing unemployment periods. This is especially important in Southeast Asia's current socioeconomic climate, marked by uncertainties due to global economic pressures and the lingering impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Efficient employment services that provide comprehensive support, including career counselling, training programs, and job placement assistance, can significantly improve the job market's resilience. They enable the workforce to quickly adapt to market changes, thus maintaining economic stability and fostering growth. Consequently, investing in robust employment services is not just about aiding individual jobseekers but also about bolstering the overall economic health and competitiveness of the region.

Addressing these issues, the International Labour Organization, in partnership with the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security (MOHRSS) of the People's Republic of China, initiated the "Promoting the Global Development Initiative with a Focus on South-South Cooperation in Employment in ASEAN" (ProSSCE-ASEAN) project. Within the framework of this project, the ILO is organising a study visit to the public employment service in Malaysia (PERKESO) with participants (30) from PES from five different countries: China, Indonesia, Vietnam, Philippines and Cambodia. For this study visit, and since most of the presentation will be delivered in Bahasa Melayu, the ILO requires the services of a translation company or of a simultaneous interpreter, in order to provide the simultaneous interpretation of the presentations and Q&A (Bahasa Melayu/Indonesia to English and vice versa), including the devices/headsets and also translation of the PowerPoint presentations, and provide simultaneous interpretation English/Chinese and Chinese/English for two participants. thereby facilitating from the language perspective, the implementation of this study-visit.

Objective:

To secure the professional services of a experienced translation company or a proficient individual simultaneous interpreter, with the aim of providing comprehensive linguistic support for a study visit organized by the International Labour Organization (ILO) to the Public Employment Service in Malaysia (PERKESO). The service provider will be responsible for ensuring the translation of the presentations in the context of the study visit and Q&A, by delivering high-quality simultaneous interpretation between Bahasa Melayu/Indonesia and English (and the other way around), and translating related PowerPoint presentation materials; in addition provide simultaneous interpretation English/Chinese and Chinese/English for two participants. This is to facilitate effective knowledge exchange and interaction during the visit, thereby enhancing the overall productivity and success of the event.

Engagement and Preparation:

1. The translation company or simultaneous interpreter will engage with the ILO to understand the specific objectives, schedule, and thematic content of the study visit.
2. Prior to the event, the service provider will review and translate the PowerPoint presentations prepared by PERKESO from Bahasa Melayu to English, ensuring accuracy and consistency in terminology.

Provision of Simultaneous Interpretation Services:

1. During the study visit, the service provider will deliver real-time, high-quality simultaneous interpretation for all presentations and Q&A sessions from Bahasa Melayu/Indonesia to English and vice versa; in addition provide simultaneous interpretation English/Chinese and Chinese/English for two participants.
2. The interpreter(s)/Company should possess profound knowledge in the terminology specific to employment services and public policies to ensure precise and contextually appropriate interpretation.

Technical Support and Equipment:

1. The service provider will supply, set up, and manage all necessary interpretation equipment, including but not limited to interpreter booths, headsets, microphones, and receivers for the participants (totalling 30 participants from China, Indonesia, Vietnam, Philippines, Thailand and Cambodia, plus additional ILO and PERKESO staff).
2. Ensure that all equipment is in optimal working condition throughout the event to avoid disruptions or miscommunications.

Quality Assurance and Follow-up:

1. Implement quality control measures to ensure the interpretation and translation services meet the highest professional standards.

TIME-FRAME

Start date:                           22 February 2024;

Completion date:               28 February 2024;

Terms of Contract for Consultant/Company:

A contract will be made between the ILO and the service provider who will be responsible for all activities and deliverables in these terms of reference.

Suggested number of interpreters:

1. English-Chinese: 1 interpreter (with the respective microphone and headsets for mobile interpretation)
2. Bahasa Melayu/Indonesia-English: 1 or 2 interpreters (with the respective microphone and headsets for mobile interpretation)

Time for the assignment

Total number of days and period of time that the consultant will be committed to are 4 working days, which is to be worked from 22nd to 28th February.

The Payment schedule is as follows:

• Full payment at the end of the assignment to the satisfaction of the ILO

Reporting

Overall the consultant will be able to work in an independent way, with technical guidance and supervision from the Project Manager of the ProSSCE-ASEAN project. The outputs will be approved by the Programme Manager.

Financial proposals can be sent to the ILO Office Kuala Lumpur at ilokloffice@ilo.org by the 9 February, 2024, specifying “ProSSCE-ASEAN project Study Visit Translation”.