Interpreter Services Manager (National Position)

Job Description

Background/IRC Summary: The IRC has a rich history of assisting refugees to apply for U.S. resettlement, from its founding in 1933 to help vulnerable individuals escape Nazi-occupied Europe, to pioneering the Joint Voluntary Agency which assisted Indochinese refugees for 22 years, to operations in Croatia, Sierra Leone, and Sudan. Over the years, IRC has processed some half a million refugees worldwide for U.S. resettlement.

Based in Bangkok with field offices in Thailand and Malaysia, the IRC Resettlement Support Center (IRC-RSC) assists persons throughout Asia seeking permanent resettlement in the United States. The RSC prepares refugee applications for the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program, provides information to resettlement agencies about arriving refugees, and offers cultural orientation training to those refugees bound for the U.S.

Job Overview/Summary: The Interpreter Services Manager will ensure the delivery of high-quality, reliable foreign language interpretation for USCIS Officers, RSC staff, and applicants to the US Refugee Admissions Program. Additional responsibilities include training, mentoring, and recruitment of new interpreters, monitoring and evaluation, and interpreter schedule management. The Interpreter Services Manager directly supervises staff interpreters, contract interpreters and camp based assistant (Interpreters).

Major Responsibilities: Capacity building - Identify current and future language needs for RSC Asia, Thailand and the Region. - Recruit prospective interpreters and interview them for suitability - Evaluate candidates for language competency in both English and the target language Training - Provide training to Interpreters prior to engagement as well as during the onboarding process - Offer refresher training on a regular basis, utilizing existing RSC resources - Present regular training on the Effective Use of Interpreters to RSC staff - Ensure team members complete annual mandatory trainings

Monitoring and Evaluation - Utilize RSC monitoring tools to regularly assess Interpreter and RSC staff adherence to best practices - Evaluate skills and performance of interpreters through regular monitoring activities - Provide ongoing feedback to both managers and interpreters based on internal monitoring findings and external/USCIS feedback evaluations - Ensure team members and direct reports fully comply with all Integrity and Compliance Guidelines

Interpreter Management - Ensure that Staff Interpreters, Contract Interpreters and Camp-based Assistant (Interpreters) have met all requirements prior to accepting assignments - Maintain accurate and current records of all Staff Interpreters Contract Interpreters and Camp-based Assistant (Interpreters) including security checks, interview results, and other relevant information - Liaise with UNHCR Interpreter Coordinator to request and schedule UNHCR interpreters as needed - Communicate and work effectively and cooperatively with partner agencies including the UNHCR and IOM as required - Act as the primary focal point for liaising with third-party interpreter providers - Work closely with Program Support team to monitor interpreter payment - Conduct regular team meetings and ensure clear, consistent communication with staff

Supervision - Directly supervise all Staff Interpreters, Contract interpreters and Camp-based assistant (Interpreters). - Provide performance feedback on a timely and regular basis - Conduct mid-year and annual Performance Management Evaluation activities for Staff Interpreters - Provide ongoing training and facilitate staff development activities - Maintain oversight of all Contract interpreters and community-based assistant (Interpreters) with Senior Staff Interpreter and relevant managers - Comply with all Integrity and Compliance Guidelines - Perform other duties as assigned

Key Working Relationships: Position Reports to: Program Support Coordinator Position directly supervises: Senior Staff Interpreter Staff Interpreter Contract interpreters and camp-based assistant (Interpreters). Indirect Reporting: Other Internal and/or external contacts: Internal: RSC Asia Staff External: UNHCR, IOM, and other partners

Qualifications

Job Requirements:

Education: - University degree preferred, OR over two years of equivalent relevant professional experience will be considered

Work Experience: - Experience working in resettlement processing is desirable - Minimum two -year working experience in program management or training in a multicultural setting is preferred - Experience in coordination and management of foreign language interpretation is desirable

Demonstrated Skills and Competencies: - Excellent interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills - Strong ability to work independently, organize work, meet deadlines, maintain composure, prioritize, coordinate, multiple tasks and maintain attention to detail. - Flexible and willing to learn and take on new tasks - Mature, positive attitude and able to work under pressure - Proficiency in database management, Windows and Microsoft Office applications including Outlook Language Skills: - Excellent spoken and written English language skills; other languages such as Thai, Burmese or Karen is desirable

Certificates or Licenses: - Not applicable, unless required by law and/or organization to carry out official duties Others: - Ability and willingness to travel when required

Working Environment: The position is located at the RSC office in Bangkok, Thailand. The position will require domestic travel to support interpretation service delivery of USRAP processing throughout Thailand, including to remote border areas. Limited international travel should also be expected. A valid passport and the ability to acquire US and other visas, as necessary, is a requirement.

The employee is required to adhere to The IRC Way for professional conduct, as well as to be in compliance with all relevant IRC and donor policies and procedures while carrying out his/her duties. Standards of Professional Conduct: The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability and Equality. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Harassment-Free Workplace, Fiscal Integrity, Anti-Retaliation, Combating Trafficking in Persons and several others.

Equal Opportunity Employer: IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.