Chinese (Cantonese) Interpreter, CHOD

Job Description

Summary:
The Unconventional is seeking a qualified Interpreter to support the 2026 Chief of Defense (CHOD) Conference in Victoria, BC, Canada. This conference provides a forum for senior military leaders to build and strengthen military-to military relationships, discuss issues of common interest and promote multilateral cooperation on common challenges.

The conference is scheduled to take place from 30 August 2026 through 02 September 2026.

This is a temporary assignment for the dates indicated above.

Specific duties may include, but are not limited to:

• Provide SLIS during all sessions of the CHOD Conference.
• Provide consecutive interpretations during bilateral sessions.
• Provide oral interpretation of military and diplomatic subject matter using clear and concise grammar within the appropriate ethnic/cultural context when speaking both English and the native foreign language.
• Interpretations shall be performed simultaneously during guest speaker presentation, and plenary discussions, and consecutively during bilateral meetings, utilizing venue-provided equipment, for the broadcast and reception of interpreted speech by conference participants. Headsets that are unobtrusive and comfortable are preferred. Interpreters shall be available to execute a Technical Rehearsal to ensure venue-provided equipment is operational and interpreters are familiar with the technical set up.
• Shall not disclose any part of any interpreted speech, discussion, or conversation that is generated during the Conference with any other group, party or individual other than the person translation service is being provided for, without prior approval of the Government. The dissemination of any part of the Conference by written or electronic means, by any format, on any platform, is prohibited except for that allowed under this Statement Of Work to perform interpretation as required.
• Interpreters will wear clearly discernable identification that plainly identifies their company name and that they are serving as translators. The translator will not, at any time, represent themselves as a government employee or express themselves as a representative of the government outside of direct translation services.

Job Requirements

Required Qualifications:

• Must possess the ability to perform bilateral / simultaneous interpretation and translation at a minimum proficiency level of 4/4/4/4.
• Must have previous documented experience and expertise in providing simultaneous language interpretations for similar events.
• Shall have sufficient proficiency in both the written and spoken language in which the Linguist is providing interpretation services, and have the ability to carry on a casual, fluent conversation in both languages.
• Shall have adequate proficiency to translate technical aspects.
• Familiarity with military and diplomatic terminology, as well as subject matter commonly associated with senior military officers, is preferred

Clearance: Must pass a Background Check

Location: Victoria, British Columbia

Travel: Travel will be required