Interpreter Services Manager (National Position)

Work Arrangement:

Job Description

Background/IRC Summary:

Founded in 1933, International Rescue Committee (IRC) is one of the world’s leading agencies working in post-conflict and development contexts, supporting communities in over 40 fragile, failed and developing states. In this capacity, we work to restore safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted, struggling to endure and wishing to advance on a path of development.

The Resettlement Support Center Asia (RSC Asia), funded by the US State Department Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM), assists persons throughout Asia seeking permanent resettlement in the United States. Responsible for a portfolio of 37 countries, RSC Asia: prepares refugee applications for the United States Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) using START (a State Department–managed data system that supports the arrival and resettlement of refugees through technology); provides information to resettlement agencies about arriving refugees and offers cultural orientation training to refugees bound for the United States. RSC Asia is based in Bangkok, Thailand, with a sub-office in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Job Overview/Summary: The Interpreter Services Manager will ensure the delivery of high-quality language interpretation and translation 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 the RSC Asia’s Thailand and the Region Interpreter program.

Major Responsibilities:

Capacity building - Assess skills and suitability of existing interpreter resources - Manage all processes and practices for the interpreter program, including recruiting, training and onboarding, and retention - Supervises, assigns, reviews and evaluates the work of interpreters, conduct performance reviews and evaluations of interpreters. - Evaluate candidates for language competency in both English and the target language - Provide regularly scheduled interpreter training focusing on ethics, accuracy, impartiality, professionalism, confidentiality and attitude - Directly supervise all Interpreters

Training - Provide ongoing training and feedback opportunities to direct reports and contract interpreters - Present regular training on the effective use of interpreters to RSC Asia staff - Ensure team members complete annual mandatory trainings

Monitoring and Evaluation - Identify current and future language needs for RSC Asia, Thailand and the Region. - Utilize RSC Asia monitoring tools to regularly assess Interpreter and RSC Asia staff adherence to best practices - Evaluate skills and performance of interpreters through regular monitoring activities. - Conduct annual monitoring activities for all interpreters. - Ensure team members and direct reports fully comply with the USRAP Integrity and Compliance Guidelines

Interpreter Management

- Ensure that interpreters have met all requirements prior to engagement with any USRAP assignments. - Maintain accurate and current records of all interpreters including security checks, interview results, and other relevant information - 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 and/or Operations team to ensure necessary paperwork are in order to complete interpreter payment.

- Conduct regular team meetings and ensure clear, consistent communication with interpreters

- Other duties as assigned

Key Working Relationships:

Position Reports to: Program Support Coordinator Position directly supervises: Senior Staff Interpreter Staff Interpreter Contract interpreters and community-based assistant (Interpreters). Indirect Reporting: Senior Program Coordinator, Thailand and the Region

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 preferred - Minimum two years in management and leading a team. - 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 preferred - HR experience is strongly preferred

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 and Computer Skills - Excellent verbal and written English language skills required. - Working knowledge of a refugee language is desirable. - High level of computer literacy and proficiency in MS Office applications (Word, Excel, Power Point, Outlook) is required.

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.

Standard of Professional Conduct The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way – standards for Professional 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, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, Anti-Retaliation, Combating Trafficking in Persons, and several others.

Equal Opportunity Employer IRC considers all participants 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.