Kurdish Interpreter

The ICRC Interpreter facilitates accurate and meaningful communication among ICRC delegates, affected populations, authorities, and other stakeholders through interpretation in sensitive and complex contexts. This role requires judgment, cultural awareness, and a deep understanding of humanitarian principles to ensure clarity, respect, and confidentiality in communication.

Responsibilities

• Oral interpretation from Kurdish to English and vice versa during confidential interviews with people deprived of liberty, ICRC institutional dissemination, ICRC dialogue with authorities, activities to establish family links including delivering Red Cross messages, family tracing and visits to families of detainees
• Written translation of Burmese language (newspaper articles, correspondence, etc.) into written English
• Analysis and reporting as required on conditions of detention, security and other matters relating to the ICRC's mandate
• Provide support on other protection activities as needed
• Interact externally with authorities, representatives of other organizations and beneficiaries, both within and outside places of detention
• Develop a network of contacts related to operational needs
• Interact internally with staff in other departments

Requirements

• Excellent command of English (C1) required
• Excellent command of Kurdish (C1) required
• Proficiency in other ICRC operational languages (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
• In line with the principle of neutrality, the ICRC does not assign personnel to a country of which they are nationals
• 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 (i.e. no spouse, partner, children or dependents) for the first two missions (minimum 12 months each) or total of 24 months

Skills

• Kurdish Interpretation
• English Language Proficiency
• Multilingual Interpretation
• Translation Experience
• Humanitarian Communication
• Cultural Awareness
• Confidentiality Management
• Working Under Pressure
• Neutrality Principle
• Driving License
• Medical Fitness

Languages

English, Kurdish