Job Description
Position Title: Senior Interpreter Support Assistant
Reports To: Interpreter Supervisor
Division: Immigration & Refugee Program+ (IRP+)
Department: Cultural Orientation, Programs
Job Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Grade Level: Grade 4, Senior Assistant, National
Introduction: Church World Service (CWS) is a not-for-profit, faith-based organization transforming communities around the globe through just and sustainable solutions to hunger, poverty, displacement and disaster. CWS does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, gender identity, genetic information, age, disability or veteran status in employment or in the provision of services.
Primary Purpose:
The position is responsible for ensuring quality standards in the proper recruitment and use of contract interpreters by RSC Africa.
Essential Duties:
- Oversees the updating and maintenance of interpreter and Child-minder profiles on the RSC Africa Contractor Database in strict adherence to DOS/BPRM, USCIS, RPC, CWS and RSC Africa policies, guidelines and procedures.
- Assists in reviewing and updating, as appropriate, the Interpreter Contract, Interpreter Code of Ethics, Interpreter Application form, and any other documents signed by Contract Interpreters and Child-minders.
- Takes a lead role in projects within Interpreter Unit including planning workflow, providing direction, identifying reporting parameters, setting timelines and completing quality control checks on the projects.
- Confirms that staff have appropriate rights/access to essential folders and databases to facilitate their work.
- Assesses daily unit reports and recommends work plans and clean-ups.
- Takes the lead role in the creation of daily work plans in the absence of the Supervisor or as delegated.
- Runs QC reports on tasks and identifies action items and reports these findings to the Supervisor.
- Assists in the development of Interpreter Unit on boarding and training procedures and modules as well as assisting in their implementation as required.
- Assists in providing guidance to staff on different unit projects and effective use of interpreters and Child-minders.
- Reviews Interpreter unit SOPs and guidelines periodically and suggest updates if/when necessary.
- Assists in maintaining required records of Contract Interpreters/Child-minders, including police certificates, reference checks, and identification documents as per Program Integrity Guidelines.
- Attends scheduled dry runs and provides feedback as necessary.
- Develops resources for use by Interpreters, Child-minders and RSC staff to further improve the efficient and effective use of contract Interpreters and Child-minders.
- Develops and implements training to RSC Africa staff on the effective use of contract Interpreters and Child-minders.
- With the guidance of the Interpreter Supervisor, develops and implements training to contract Interpreters across sub-Saharan Africa.
- Conducts training, testing, observations (Pre-screening interviews and Cultural Orientation classes), and supervision of the Interpreters and Child-minders, both in the field and in Nairobi on a regular basis.
- Provides support to the Interpreter Supervisor on the annual review of the stipend, subsistence allowance, transport reimbursement and payment options for contract interpreters and Child-minders in all RSC Africa processing locations.
- Works with the Interpreter Supervisor to develop feedback mechanisms and process reviews to improve organizational management of contract interpreters.
- Assists in monitoring, responding and managing the Interpreter mailbox. This includes ensuring professional communication with USRAP partners on Contract Child-minders and Interpreters in a timely manner.
- Serves as the Program Integrity champion and focal point for all interpreter related requests and/or issues.
- Coordinates with the Data Integrity Unit on the development of effective reports ensure program adherence and compliance.
- Assists in the development of the internal monthly reports, PRM quarterly reports, and other reports, as requested.
- Prepares and sends out contractor tips.
- Participates in process reviews.
- Maintains a current knowledge of the United States Refugee Admissions Program.
- Travels periodically to field locations throughout sub-Saharan Africa.
- Performs other duties that may be assigned to enhance the efficiency and efficacy of the operation.
Qualifications:
Experience:
- Four years of paid work experience.
- One year working with interpreters and/or Child-minders at RSC Africa preferred.
- Supervisory experience preferred.
- WRAPS knowledge preferred.
Skills:
- Demonstrated ability to deliver training.
- Demonstrated computer skills including Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint.
- Strong verbal and written English language skills.
- Strong organizational and time management skills.
- Meticulous attention to detail.
Education & Certifications:
- Bachelor’s Degree or four (4) years of related experience in lieu of a Bachelor’s Degree is required.
Abilities:
- Manage large and diverse workload under pressure with competing priorities.
- Maintain the integrity of official records;
- Analyse and solve complex problems and make sound decisions;
- Work with minimal supervision
- Maintain a high performance standard with attention to detail;
- Work independently and contribute to overall operations of RSC Africa;
- Actively participate in the implementation of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP).
Important Requirements:
- Strong English communication skills, both written and oral.
- Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment required.
- Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and willingness to support CWS’ Platform on Racial Justice as a CWS employee required.
Special Requirements:
- COVID Vaccination is strongly recommended for all successful candidates
- The candidate should be of good health, willing and able to travel extensively in often difficult conditions, and have a high degree of flexibility. Must have proof of Yellow Fever vaccination before traveling for RSC Africa
- This position is based in Nairobi, Kenya
- This position requires use of laptops at all time, competence in Microsoft office packages is required.
- This position may require travel in sub-Saharan Africa on short notice and under sometimes difficult conditions to meet demands of a dynamic operational program
- Background check which includes references and an educational and criminal check is required before the start of employment for International applicants.
- A valid passport and the ability to maintain a valid passport throughout the entire appointment is required, which includes having enough passport pages for travel.
- Physical: This position requires bending, squatting, crawling, climbing, kneeling, sitting, standing, walking, pushing/pulling, handling objects (manual dexterity), reaching above shoulder level, using fine finger movements and lifting/carrying heavy loads.
- Environmental: Incumbents in this position will be exposed to excessive noise, marked changes in temperature and/or humidity, dust and infectious diseases, harsh weather climates, long work hours, bumpy roads, extended travel, excessive sun exposure, and non-ventilated spaces.
- Full time
- All employees should be prepared to work from the CWS office within their location of hire. Remote work arrangements may vary depending on location and the governing rulings regarding the COVID-19 pandemic
- Any other special requirements
How to apply
Log on to CWS careers site - https://cwsglobal.org/work-with-cws/