Interpreter (Tigrinya)

TITLE: Interpreter (Tigrinya)

SUPERVISOR: Israel Program Manager

LOCATION: Tel Aviv (Israel) 100% of the time in office and remote work is not possible.

• This position is subject to the availability of donor funds
  
  

HIAS is the global Jewish non-profit that protects refugees whose lives are in danger for being who they are. We help refugees rebuild their lives and advocate that all displaced people are treated with dignity. The HIAS Austria office as the Resettlement Support Center (RSC) processes refugee cases for resettlement to the US through a contract with the US State Department. The RSC Austria also operates a small sub-office in Tel Aviv, Israel to process refugees for resettlement to the US.

Purpose Of The Role

To contact refugee applicants through phone calls, schedule interviews and appointments, translate documents and check files to ensure accuracy and completeness for presentation to USCIS. To interpret for applicant interviews, or for other RSC matters, in line with the Interpreter Code of Conduct.

Specific responsibilities

• Contact refugee applicants to schedule appointments
• Conduct, when necessary, one-on-one interviews with applicants to gather basic applicant biographical information updating START as necessary and copying all required documents
• Translate necessary documentation (Tigrinya - English or English - Tigrinya)
• Interpret for and assist Casework interviews
• Where required, interpret for USCIS interviews and at the Panel Physician
• Conduct document verification checks
• As needed, scan and upload documents into START, collect missing documents from applicants, and copy documents
• Conduct final quality check of files to ensure accuracy and completeness to USCIS
• Attend and participate in team meetings and training sessions
• Any other tasks as assigned by Manager, including providing back-up and support for other Israel Refugee Processing staff
  
  

Key skills and attributes

• Excellent interpretation and translation skill, to and from English
• Strong command of English (written and verbal)
• Excellent command of Tigrinya (written and verbal)
• Enthusiastic and motivated with a positive attitude
• Ability to keep composed and interpret accurately for difficult/traumatizing cases
• A flexible, mature and professional attitude to work
• Uses initiative to ask questions and make suggestions
• Able to maintain consistently high standards of work
• Able to focus intensively for extended periods
• Highly organized with strong attention to detail
• Proven interpersonal skills and cross-cultural sensitivity
• Excellent digital literacy skills, including ability to work with Microsoft Office applications, the internet and other databases to create documents, access information and prepare reports
• Able to work both in a team and independently
• Availability to travel occasionally, may be required
• Applicants should have the legal right to live and work in Israel without additional support.
  
  

Prior experience as an Interpreter/Remote interpreter is not mandatory but would be considered an asset

Disclaimer

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. It is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, skills required or permanent location. Location is subject to change based on programmatic needs. Flexibility is essential as we grow and develop. The successful candidate must be comfortable in a fast-paced, changing work environment with many crucial deadlines. All team members may be required to perform duties outside of their normal work hours of responsibilities as needed.

Sample Hiring Process

We are committed to a fair and respectful hiring process, and we do our absolute best to respond to every applicant. We prioritize communication and transparency with all candidates, even those who are not moving forward. Here’s a snapshot of our hiring process:

Step 1: Submit your application!

Step 2: Phone screen with a Human Resources staff person.

Step 3: Interview with the hiring manager.

Step 4: Interview with a panel of HIAS employees.

Step 5: Reference check.

Step 6: Offer and background check.

Step 7: Start your professional journey with HIAS!

Note: Some of our hiring processes may vary, and not all candidates will advance to each step.

About Us

Over one hundred years ago, the Jewish community founded HIAS (originally the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society) in New York City, the immigrant gateway to America. Supporting Jews fleeing persecution and poverty in Eastern Europe, our founders were guided by the traditions, texts and history of the Jewish people—a history of oppression, displacement and diaspora. HIAS has since helped generations of Jews facing violence because of who they were, and HIAS remains committed to helping Jewish refugees anywhere in the world. Today, our clients at HIAS come from diverse faiths, ethnicities and backgrounds, as do our staff. We bring our experience, history and values to our work across five continents, ensuring that refugees today receive the vital services and opportunities they need to thrive.

HIAS is a learning community, committed to diversity and inclusion. We do our work with integrity, accountability, transparency and a commitment to the highest ethical standards. We seek employees from diverse backgrounds and life experiences to join our teams located in the United States and across the globe. People who identify as BIPOC, people with disabilities, people from the LGBTQ+ community and people with lived experiences of forced displacement or immigration are all encouraged to apply. We are committed to building a diverse workforce that reflects our vision, mission and values.

The HIAS Austria office as the Resettlement Support Center (RSC) processes refugee cases for resettlement to the US through a contract with the US State Department.

Vision

HIAS stands for a world in which refugees find welcome, safety and opportunity.

Mission

Drawing on our Jewish values and history, HIAS provides vital services to refugees and asylum seekers around the world and advocates for their fundamental rights so they can rebuild their lives.

Values

Welcome

• Acogimiento
• Hospitalité
• ????? ?????? (Hachnasat Orchim) We Welcome the Stranger Justice
• Justicia
• Justice
• ??? (Tzedek) We Pursue Justice Empathy
• Empatía
• Empathie
• ??? (Chesed) We Approach our Clients with Empathy Partnership
• Compañerismo
• Coopération
• ?????? (Chevruta) We Believe in Changing the World through Partnership Courage
• Coraje
• Courage
• ???? (Ometz) We Act with Courage to Build a Better World Resilience
• Resiliencia
• Résilience
• ??? (Ruach) We Adapt and Thrive, Continuously Demonstrating our Resilience
  
  

Diversity

HIAS is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, ethnic background, ancestry, citizenship status, religious creed, age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, registered domestic partner or civil union status, familial status, pregnancy, childbirth, military status, protected veteran status, political orientation or other legally protected status.