Somali Interpreter

The ICRC Somali Interpreter facilitates accurate and meaningful communication among ICRC delegates, affected populations, authorities, and other stakeholders in sensitive and complex humanitarian contexts. The role involves oral interpretation, written translation, and analysis to support protection activities and humanitarian dialogue.

Responsibilities

• Provide oral interpretation from Somali to English and vice versa during confidential interviews, institutional dissemination, dialogue with authorities, family tracing and visits to families of detainees
• Translate Somali language written materials into English
• Analyze and report on conditions of detention, security and other matters relating to the ICRC's mandate
• Provide support on other protection activities as needed
• Develop a network of contacts related to operational needs
• Interact with authorities, representatives of other organizations and beneficiaries both within and outside places of detention
• Collaborate internally with staff in other departments

Requirements

• Excellent command of English (C1) required
• Excellent command of Somali (C1) required
• Proficiency in other ICRC operational languages (English, French, Spanish, Russian, Arabic, Portuguese) is a strong asset
• 2 years of professional experience
• Previous interpreter or translator experience is an advantage
• Strongly motivated by humanitarian work
• Able to work under pressure in a potentially dangerous environment
• Open-minded and adaptable
• University education/degree in interpretation or translation is an advantage
• Candidates must be in good health and will have to do a medical check-up prior to departure in the field
• Candidates must possess a driving licence (for manual transmission vehicles)
• Candidates must be prepared to accept unaccompanied postings for the first two missions (minimum 12 months each) or total of 24 months
• In line with the principle of neutrality, the ICRC does not assign personnel to a country of which they are nationals

Skills

• Somali Interpretation
• English Language Proficiency
• Translation
• Humanitarian Communication
• Oral Interpretation
• Written Translation
• Humanitarian Context Awareness
• Protection Activities
• Humanitarian Dialogue
• Working Under Pressure
• Driving Manual Vehicles

Languages

English, Somali