Kurdish Interpreter - Humanitarian Protection

About the role

The ICRC is looking for a Kurdish interpreter for a 12-month mobile assignment in Iraq, on a maximum-term contract. The interpreter facilitates accurate and meaningful communication between ICRC delegates, affected populations, authorities and other stakeholders in sensitive contexts such as protection activities, visits to detainees, family reunification and dialogue with parties to conflict. The role is 100% working rate, with continuous global deployment rosters.

Key responsibilities

• Oral interpretation between Kurdish and English during confidential interviews with people deprived of liberty, ICRC institutional dissemination, dialogue with authorities and family-link activities (delivering Red Cross messages, family tracing and visits to families of detainees).
• Written translation of Burmese-language newspaper articles and correspondence into written English.
• Analyse and report on conditions of detention, security and other matters relating to the ICRC's mandate as required.
• Support other protection activities as needed and interact with authorities, other organisations and beneficiaries, and with staff in other departments.

Required profile

• Excellent command of English (C1) and Kurdish (C1).
• 2 years of professional experience; previous interpreter or translator experience is an advantage.
• University degree in interpretation or translation is an advantage.
• Strongly motivated by humanitarian work and able to work under pressure in a potentially dangerous environment.
• Open-minded and adaptable.
• Good health, with a medical check-up before departure; a driving licence (manual transmission) is required.
• Willingness to accept unaccompanied postings for the first two missions (minimum 12 months each, or 24 months total).
• Candidates cannot be assigned to a country of which they are nationals.

Required skills

• English (C1) and Kurdish (C1)
• Proficiency in French, Spanish, Russian, Arabic or Portuguese is a strong asset

What we offer

• Rewarding work in a humanitarian and multicultural environment
• A two-week orientation course and further in-house training
• Attractive social benefits
• Access to the ICRC talent pool for future assignments