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BACKGROUND: The International Rescue Committee(IRC) responds to the
world's worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their
lives. At work in over 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities to restore safety,
dignity and hope, the IRC leads the way from harm to home.
SCOPE OF
VOLUNTEER WORK: The Community Interpreter intern is
an unpaid position to support the IRC in NJ's community interpreter project. The Community Interpreter Program
intends to expand language access to facilitate clear communication between
clients and staff members, and to provide a forum for members of the NJ
community to support refugees, asylum seekers and other immigrants, build their
interpretation skills and their resumes. The Community Interpretation Program
for the IRC in New Jersey will work closely with the Resettlement Department
and Intake and Casework Department to recruit and train new volunteer
interpreters.
The ideal candidates will have prior
experience in the field of interpretation, preferably in a coordination role.
They must also be available for a 12 month period. Due to the nature of the program, the
Community Interpretation volunteer may not need to volunteer for a set amount
of hours every week but should be available for a minimum of eight hours per
week and up to fifteen, if possible.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Participate in mandatory interpreter training prior to initiating volunteer position.
- Provide interpretation and occasional translation services for clients and IRC staff as needed for meetings in the office and/or home visits. Topics for discussion include, but are not limited to: case management, employment, social services/benefits, immigration paperwork, and youth program intake.
- Communicate effectively in person and by telephone.
- Participate in ongoing trainings as scheduled.
- Collaborate with other IRC in NJ programs as necessary.
- Adhere to IRC policies, particularly those related to confidentiality and client privacy.
Commitment to Gender, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion: The IRC is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, respectful, and safe work environment where all persons are treated fairly, with dignity and respect. The IRC expressly prohibits and will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or bullying of the IRC persons in any work setting. We aim to increase the representation of women, people that are from country and communities we serve, and people who identify as races and ethnicities that are under-represented in global power structures.
REQUIREMENTS:
- The ideal candidates will have experience as an interpreter.
- Experience working with immigrants or refugees in a social service setting.
- Must have excellent verbal English language skills.
- Ability to fluently speak at least one of the following languages: Haitian Creole, Spanish, Arabic, Farsi/Dari, Pashto, Kiswahili, French, others.
- Must be willing to work varied hours Monday-Friday between 9 am and 6 pm.
- Must be over 18 years of age.
- Basic computer skills (Microsoft Access and Word, E-mail).
- Ability to pass a background check.
- Adhere to professional standards of confidentiality and boundary-setting.
This position reports
to the Community Engagement Coordinator
IRC leading the way From Harm To Home.