Translator / Interpreter

Organizational Context

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, with a network of 192-member National Societies. The overall aim of the IFRC is “to inspire, encourage, facilitate, and promote at all times all forms of humanitarian activities by National Societies with a view to preventing and alleviating human suffering and thereby contributing to the maintenance and promotion of human dignity and peace in the world.”  The IFRC works to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people before, during and after disasters, health emergencies and other crises. 

The IFRC is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (Movement), together with its member National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The work of the IFRC is guided by the following fundamental principles: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality. 

The IFRC is led by its Secretary General, and has its Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. The Headquarters are organized into three main Divisions: (i) National Society Development and Operations Coordination; (ii) Global Relations, Humanitarian Diplomacy and Digitalization; and (iii) Management Policy, Strategy and Corporate Services.

The IFRC has five regional offices in Africa, Asia Pacific, Middle East and North Africa, Europe, and the Americas.  The IFRC also has country cluster delegation and country delegations throughout the world. Together, the Geneva Headquarters and the field structure (regional, cluster and country) comprise the IFRC Secretariat.

In February 2022, a new phase in the armed conflict in Ukraine started. The intensification and spread of hostilities have affected all of Ukraine, causing massive humanitarian needs across all sectors and destroying essential civilian infrastructure. Millions of people are displaced in Ukraine, more than 5 million people have fled to other countries.

IFRC has launched a major Emergency Appeal for Ukraine and Impacted Countries that is coordinated on European regional level – with numerous country level operations ongoing. ICRC, IFRC and numerous Partner National Societies are integrating their capacities to provide coordinated crisis response in Ukraine and impacted countries. The operational structure will be fully integrated into existing structures at Country / Country Cluster and Regional Office level to ensure full synergies with the overall regional work.

Job Purpose

The Translator/Interpreter Assistant will assist the operations team in daily activities by providing translation services and support for meetings, reports and other documentation; will support liaison activities with local government representatives, URCS, movement partners; and provide support to the Field Coordinator and the Inter -regional Office (IRO). Additionally, the Translator/Interpreter Assistant will assist in organising operations activities in support of the Interregional Office and other events on regular and ad-hoc basis. Frequent travel throughout the Eastern territories (Oblasts) is expected.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Translation/Interpretation and administrative support

• Simultaneous or consecutive interpretation from Ukrainian to English and vice versa during meetings, trainings and other events
• Translation of documents from Ukrainian to English and vice versa (surveys, terms of references, certificates, reports, templates, forms, etc.)
• Prepare meeting minutes in both Ukrainian and English
• Proofread, edit, and revise translated materials
• Accompanying field trips

General office administration support

• Assist in the procurement (requisitioning) of office materials and supplies, general administration tasks, organizing hospitality to be guest-friendly etc.

• Support with the facilitation of infrastructure to operationalize and maintain the office i.e. internet, power and water etc.
• Support and keeping the contact list updated
• File structure oversight (Interim task), maintenance and structure.

Liaison with partners/stakeholders

• Contact with the partner organizations by phone, email and instant messaging when necessary
• Support in organizing meetings and other events
• Support to the preparation of presentations representing the IRO

Information management support

• Support the Field Coordinator in data collection and mapping
• Support research on specific topics as required
• General support the Field Coordinator in all other relevant tasks as required.

Job Duties and Responsibilities (continued)

• Actively work towards the achievement of the Federation Secretariat’s goals.
• Abide by and work in accordance with the Red Cross and Red Crescent principles.
• Perform any other work-related duties and responsibilities that may be assigned by the line manager.

Education

• Bachelor’s Degree (any discipline).
• High School Diploma.

Experience

Required:

• Experience in translation or administrative role.
• Experience of data entry, processing and quality control.

Preferred:

• Work or volunteering experience with the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement or other humanitarian or development organization.  

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

• Good knowledge of IT skills, particularly in Excel, Word and PowerPoint.
• Native or bilingual proficiency in Ukrainian.
• Proficient spoken and written English.

Competencies, Values and Comments

Values: Respect for diversity; Integrity; Professionalism; Accountability.

Core competencies: Communication; Collaboration and teamwork; Judgement and decision making; National society and customer relations; Creativity and innovation; Building trust.