ThaiNGO

Background/Summary: The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is at work in over 40 countries and 26 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future, and strengthen their communities. The IRC has been operating in Thailand since 1975 and currently provides assistance to displaced persons in Tak, Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi, and Mae Hong Son provinces.

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 million refugees worldwide for U.S. resettlement.

Based in Bangkok with four field offices in Thailand and Malaysia, the IRC Resettlement Support Center (IRC-RSC) assists persons throughout East Asia seeking permanent resettlement in the United States.  Operating in fifteen countries, 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 Senior Staff Interpreter will provide operational support to all departments in scheduling Staff/Contract Interpreters and providing language support services for applicants to the US refugee admissions program. The Interpreter will act as an interpreter of oral statements given in Burmese/Karen languages into the English Language and vice versa for, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) interviews, RSC Prescreen interviews, and for Cultural Orientation training.

 Major Responsibilities:

• Manage Staff /Contract Interpreter work schedule based on language needs in coordination with the RSC Program Managers.
• Track interpreting assignments for program statistical purposes, and submit a monthly report to supervisor.
• Provide training to interpreters regarding professional interpretation services in accordance with USRAP Policies and Procedures.
• Assist in the recruitment and mentoring of new interpreters as needed.
• In coordination with supervisor, identify training needs and track the professional development of interpreter team.
• Act as an interpreter during RSC assignments for US immigration, Prescreening, Pre-Post interviews and Cultural Orientation.
• Translate documents from Karen/Burmese languages to English language and vice versa.
• Perform other relevant duties as directed by supervisor.  

Job Requirements:

Education: Bachelor's Degree preferred

Work Experience: minimum 2 years experience in interpretation services

Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:

• Good management, organizational, coordination, and reporting skills
• Able to juggle multiple tasks simultaneously
• Thorough knowledge of computer software (e.g., Word, Excel, Email, Internet)
• Maturity, positive attitude and experience working under pressure
• Able to travel supporting RSC activities along camp sites in Thailand

Language Skills:  Perfect command of one or more of the following: Karen-S’gaw, Karen-Pwo, and/or Burmese, and excellent knowledge of English.

Working Environment: 

The employee is required to adhere to the “IRC Way” for professional conducts, as well as to be in compliance with all relevant Policies and Procedures while carrying his/her duties.

The position is located at the RSC Mae Sot field office and regular travel to all refugee camps in Thailand is expected.

Incumbents in this position may be exposed to excessive noise, marked changes in temperature and/or humidity, dust and infectious diseases, harsh weather, long work hours, bumpy roads, extended travel, excessive sun exposure and non-ventilated spaces.

HOW TO APPLY:

Application letter and most recent CV in English stating qualifications and experience should be submitted to the IRC Human Resources Department at:Thailand.HR@Rescue.org All applications will be treated confidentially and not returned. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted. Application deadline: 13 November 2016

The IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, national origin, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, age, marital status or physical or mental disability. The IRC is an equal opportunity employer.