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 191-member National Societies (NSs). The overall aim of IFRC is “to inspire, encourage, facilitate, and promote at all times all forms of humanitarian activities by NSs 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.”  IFRC works to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people before, during and after disasters, health emergencies and other crises. 

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 IFRC is guided by the following fundamental principles: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality. 

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.

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

IFRC has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment and other forms of harassment, abuse of authority, discrimination, and lack of integrity (including but not limited to financial misconduct). IFRC also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. 

The British Red Cross (BRC) has been working in Ukraine since February 2022 following the escalation in conflict and established a country office in Kyiv in October 2022. The BRC Ukraine team works through and in close cooperation with the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement partners, including Ukrainian Red Cross Society (URCS), the IFRC and ICRC, and other partner National Societies.

Job Purpose

To provide interpretation and translation for medical specialists working in Kyiv City Hospital #2 and support them in daily communication with hospital staff, patients, and visitors. The translator will be involved in interpreting patients’ treatment process (surgery, dressing, physical rehabilitation, etc), during the staff meetings, will translate reports, and specific medical documentation; will support liaison activities with local and foreign government representatives, British RC, ICRC, and movement partners. Additionally, the Translator will assist in providing translation services in organising training, learning sessions and other events or administrative calls, etc that need to be undertaken in Ukrainian.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Translation/interpretation and administrative support:  

– Simultaneous or consecutive interpretation from Ukrainian to English and vice versa during the patient’s treatment process, and hospital staff meetings, meetings with local and foreign government representatives, British RC, ICRC, and movement partners; during the training, learning sessions and other events.

– Translation of specific medical documents (but not only) from Ukrainian to English and vice versa.

– Prepare meeting minutes in both Ukrainian and English, as needed.

– Proofread, edit, and revise translated materials.

– Accompanying field trips, as needed.

– Contact with partner organizations by phone, email and instant messaging, as needed.

– Support in organizing meetings and other events or administrative tasks that need to be undertaken in Ukrainian.

Information management support: 

– Support in data collection

– Support in the needs assessment process

– Support research on specific topics as required

– Support in all other relevant tasks as required

Job Duties and Responsibilities (continued)

Duties applicable to all staff: 

– Actively work towards the achievement of the Federation Secretariat’s goals

– Abide by and work following the Red Cross and Red Crescent principles

– Perform any other work-related duties and responsibilities that may be assigned by the line manager

 

Education

Required: 

– High School Diploma

– Bachelor’s Degree (philology, translation)

 

 

Experience

Required: 

– At least 1-2 years’ experience in simultaneous or consecutive translation role

– Experience in medical terminology translating

– Experience in data entry, processing and quality control

– Sensitivity to cultural and religious diversity

– Commitment to the Fundamental Principles and values of the Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement

– Excellent attention to detail

– Solid organizational skills and ability to work under pressure

– Excellent written and oral communication skills, professional phone manner

– Excellent written and oral communication skills, professional phone manner

– Flexibility with working hours and locations, excellent personal resilience and stamina, ability to adapt to unusual working hours and work locations

– Respectful attitude to the patient’s comfort and keeping medical confidentiality (the successful candidate will sign a non-disclosure agreement)

Preferred: 

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

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

Required: 

– Proficient in working with Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Word

– Experience in office management principles and procedures

– Self-driven, ability to work with minimum supervision.

– Focused on quality and standards, results, and accountability

– Capability of working with sensitivity in a multi-cultural environment and virtual or/and dispersed teams

– Ability to maintain discretion and confidentiality.

Languages: 

– Native or bilingual proficiency in Ukrainian is required

– Proficient spoken and written English is required

 

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.