Project Management Assistant (Linguistics)

Job Description
Organizational Context and Scope :

The United States Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) operates world-wide with a target of providing resettlement opportunities to thousands of refugees each year. IOM provides a range of services and support to the USRAP including, but not limited to, case processing, migration health assessments, cultural orientation training, organized transportation and administration of a travel loan and collections program. The Department of Mobility Pathways and Inclusion, specifically the Resettlement and Movement Division (RMM), has the organizational responsibility to provide direction, oversight, and guidance to IOM’s global support to all resettlement programs.

Under the United States Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP), Resettlement Support Centers (RSCs) provide critical support and processing assistance for resettlement to the US. As part of an MOU between IOM and the US State Department Bureau for Population Refugees and Migration (PRM), IOM manages several RSCs which prepare applications for adjudication by and provide support to visiting US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) officers, facilitate security and medical screenings, provide information about arriving individuals to resettlement agencies in the US and offer Cultural Orientation (CO) training to individuals departing for the US.

Under the overall supervision of Chief of Mission and direct supervision of the Senior Project Assistant, Project Management, Linguistics, the successful candidate will be based in Islamabad, Pakistan and will have the following duties and responsibilities:

Responsibilities and Accountabilities :

• Support accurate communication in a common language during interviews and other meetings conducted in-person, by telephone, and/or by video conference by providing verbatim (word for word) interpretation services.

• Support RSC by providing interpretation assistance to the government agencies and officials, such as US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) officers, on circuit rides, selection missions and immigration visa application interviews for the beneficiaries.

• Provide interpretation services in the preferred language of the beneficiaries without paraphrasing, summarizing, omitting, or adding information; always use the first person (I, me and my) and remain engaged during the interpretation session.

• Provide informal translation services for informative materials (brochures, posters, etc.) and other documentation.

• Maintain strict confidentiality during interpretation sessions and follow designated program procedures regarding the destruction or maintenance of written notes within the required timeframe (e.g. immediately after each interpretation session).

• Remain objective, unbiased, impartial and neutral when providing interpretation services. Treat all parties to the conversation with courtesy, dignity and respect, regardless of their age, ethnicity, religion, political opinion, sex characteristics, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, disability or any other factors.

• Have an appropriate understanding of and sensitivity towards cultural practices and language differences that may exist between the parties to the conversation. Respect the use of proper pronouns that are preferred by the beneficiaries, when applicable.
  Inform the supervisor if you are having difficulty understanding a party to the conversation or if a beneficiary or any other individual offers a bribe, threatens you or tries to influence your interpretation. Immediately inform the supervisor if you know the beneficiary personally or if you have ever met the individual at any point in the past.

• Abide by IOM Standards of Conduct (IN/15), Policy and Procedures for Preventing and Responding to Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (IN/234), IOM Data Protection Principles (IN/138), Policy for a Respectful Working Environment (IN/90), and Fraud Awareness and Prevention Guidelines (IN/70).

• Maintain confidentiality and integrity of all RSC-related information by implementing control procedures in line with USRAP standards of conduct and data protection rules. Alert the USRAP Site Lead of any non-compliance to SOPs or codes of conduct by RSC staff members.

• Participate in relevant training sessions on such topics as interpreting for international organizations, respectful terminology and the protection of program beneficiaries, and contribute to terminology lists as requested.

• Be available to be evaluated on the quality of your interpretation by a third party.
  Perform other duties as assigned.

  Required Qualifications and Experience :

  EDUCATION :

• Bachelor’s degree in Interpretation, Literature, Linguistics, Social Science, or a related field from an accredited academic institution with three years of relevant professional experience.

• Complete school diploma from an accredited institution with five years of relevant professional experience.
  EXPERIENCE :

• Previous experience in interpretation.

• Experience working with vulnerable groups and providing humanitarian assistance.

• Prior work experience with international humanitarian organizations, non-government or government institutions/organization in a multi-cultural setting is an advantage.
  SKILLS :

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

• Discreet, patient and detail and client-oriented.

• Good knowledge of Word, Excel and the internet is a strong advantage.

• Ability to meet deadlines and quality requirements for outputs.

• Ability to produce and deliver quality results in a service-oriented and timely manner.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with beneficiaries and other stakeholders.

• Ability to identify and monitor any changes in the needs of project beneficiaries.

• Ability to incorporate gender-related needs, perspectives and concerns into their work and workplace, and to promote equal gender participation.
  Languages :

Required :

• Fluency in English ,Dari and and Pashto required (oral and written).

  Desirable:

  Working knowledge of other local languages in Pakistan.
  Note: Only short-listed candidates who is matching required criteria for the position will be contacted by IOM.

  IOM provides equal opportunity to all qualified female and male including the physically challenged candidates.