Interpreter I (Kiswahili)

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IRC - The International Rescue Committee

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Job Description

IRC BACKGROUND: Founded in 1933, the IRC is a leading nonsectarian, voluntary organization providing relief, protection and resettlement services for refugees and victims of oppression or violent conflict. One aspect of the IRC is to assist refugees resettling in the United States. The IRC opened a Denver office in 2016 to provide reception and placement services to newly arrived refugees. The office is slated to resettle more than 600 refugees in the coming federal fiscal year. Wraparound program services and holistic supports aim to realize positive impact in clients’ safety, health, education, economic wellbeing, and power. Some services are limited to refugees and other Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR)-eligible populations, while others are open to a broader population of refugees, immigrants, and forcibly displaced people.

The IRC in Denver’s approach is client-centered, empowerment-focused, trauma-informed, and multigenerational. Advancing racial equity and narrowing the gender gap are priorities for the IRC in Denver. The team’s efforts in this space are ongoing and evolving. Current work is focused on participating in learning and dialogue to deepen understanding and awareness of systemic inequities and systems of oppression; building an internal organizational culture that reflects a commitment to antiracism and gender equality for clients as well as staff, volunteers, and the broader community; engaging clients more deeply in making decisions that affect them, whether at the individual, household, program, or organizational level; using our power and influence to advocate for rules, policies, and laws that address inequities experienced by the people we serve and seek systemic change for the benefit of all who are impacted by these inequities; undertaking intentional efforts to shift dynamics and promote power sharing between leadership and the broader team as well as between staff and clients; and examining and changing practices in recruitment, recognition, and other areas of employee engagement and talent development to prioritize access to opportunity and work toward full inclusion and belonging for clients, staff, and volunteers who identify as Black, Indigenous, People of Color, and LGBTQI, as well as those who have lived experience as refugees and immigrants.

JOB OVERVIEW: On an occasional, on-call basis, the Kiswahili Interpreter provides language assistance services for clients to support stabilization and integration. They work in close coordination with IRC staff to provide in-person and/or remote interpretation to facilitate services provided under the Reception & Placement (R&P), Matching Grant (MG), and Colorado Refugee Services Program (CRSP) Reach Program guidelines. The Kiswahili Interpreter adheres to standards of professional conduct for interpreters, assuring accuracy, impartiality, and confidentiality in their efforts to meet the language needs of Limited English Proficient (LEP) individuals and service providers, both internal to IRC and external in the community. Activities include providing professional interpretation services, supporting clients with community navigation and resource connections as assigned, tracking information and data in software systems as requested, and participating in service coordination, trainings and assessments as requested. The Kiswahili Interpreter may also assist in other instances in which a client requires an interpreter, as determined in consultation with the Interpretation Coordinator.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

- Serve as communication liaison between staff and clients to ensure accurate, impartial, and confidential interpretation is available for LEP individuals and service providers in a variety of settings, such as clinics, hospitals, schools, community-based organizations, and government agencies. Services may be rendered in-person or via telephone, videoconference, or other virtual means. - Support IRC staff in relaying important deadlines, instructions, questions, and other communication to clients in their native language. - Assist clients in communicating any concerns, questions, or other information to staff when clients are not fluent or comfortable speaking English. - Aid in transporting clients and orienting them to community resources as requested. - Adhere to standards regarding protection of client data and information, in accordance with IRC policies and protocols. - Translate documents from English into clients’ native language as requested. - Assist staff with building client rapport and understanding cultural context. - Participate in training, assessments, and professional development opportunities offered by the IRC. - Consistently track and report assignments and hours worked within designated software systems. - May support special projects and initiatives. - Other duties as assigned.

KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS:

Position Reports to: Interpretation Coordinator Position Directly Supervises: N/A

Qualifications

Education and Certifications

- High school diploma or equivalent strongly preferred. - Interpretation certification preferred.

Work Experience

- Prior experience providing interpretation services strongly preferred. - Experience in working with refugees preferred.

Demonstrated Skills & Competencies

- Fluency in both written and spoken English and Kiswahili. Candidates with fluency in additional languages, such as Kinyarwanda, Kibembe, Tshiluba, Kirundi and/or French, are preferred. Applicants will be tested for language proficiency prior to hiring. - Basic computer skills required. Must be able to use Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, and Excel). - Culturally sensitive; ability to build trust with clients, colleagues, and partners. - Must be a team player, detail oriented, patient, professional, and reliable. - Available for assignments during regular business hours. Evening, late night (for airport pickups) and/or weekend availability a plus. - Commitment to respecting and safeguarding client confidentiality and complying with standards for professional conduct in interpretation. - Must have reliable transportation to get to appointment and service locations. Use of personal vehicle with valid driver’s license and current insurance preferred. - Prior experience providing interpretation services strongly preferred. - Experience in working with refugees preferred.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT: The IRC in Denver strives to offer a positive working environment, with intentional efforts to ensure that it is diverse, equitable, inclusive, and accessible for all.

- At present, the IRC in Denver office is partially open. Hybrid remote/in-person work modifications are in place due to ensure staff and client safety given public health guidance related to the COVID-19 pandemic. - All staff are required to adhere to IRC’s COVID risk mitigation policies. In some cases, these policies may be stricter than those imposed at the federal, state, or local level. - Proof of COVID-19 vaccination is required. - This role entails frequent travel in and around the Denver metro area to transport clients, facilitate service delivery and represent the IRC with clients and community partners. - Hours outside of typical office hours, including weekends and evenings, are frequently required.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS: This position is an occasional, on-call position. Hours vary based on caseload and client needs. There is no guaranteed weekly minimum. Compensation starts at $20.00 per hour, with eligibility for overtime in accordance with state and federal laws. As an occasional, on-call employee, the Kiswahili Interpreter is not eligible for the full IRC benefits package, but will have access to the following:

- A 403(b) retirement savings plan with employer base contributions and matching contributions. - A comprehensive employee assistance and resilience program. - A commitment to employee professional development, including an individual staff development accounts, participation in communities of practice and other fora, talent and leadership development offerings, and occasional opportunities to take on special assignments and roles to represent the IRC in Denver with IRC’s network of offices across the U.S.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and we value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us at [email protected] to request accommodation.

Added 2 years ago - Updated 11 months ago - Source: rescue.org