INTERPRETER SUPERVISOR – KENYA NATIONAL HIRE At Church World Service

Job Description

Position Title: Interpreter Supervisor

Reports To: Cultural Orientation Coordinator

Division : Immigration & Refugee Program+ (IRP+)

Department: Cultural Orientation, Programs

Job Location: Nairobi, Kenya

Grade Level: Grade 7, Supervisor, 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 increasing and maintaining quality standards in the proper use of contract interpreters and child minders in both processing interviews and in cultural orientation trainings. The positon is also responsible for the recruitment and training of contract interpreters and child minders in all processing locations, while managing the Contractor Database, and ensures all contract and volunteer Interpreters /Childminders are screened and hired per set Program Integrity Guidelines. The position also is responsible for the development and updating of Interpreter & Childminder trainings curricula in coordination with the Program Integrity Specialist.

This position directly supervises the Senior Interpreter Support Assistants, Childminder Support Assistants and indirectly supervises Contract Interpreters and Childminders in other locations throughout Sub Saharan Africa that RSC temporarily contracts with.

Essential Duties:

Compliance

1. Ensure all identification and hiring of contract interpreters/childminders in sub-Sahara Africa is performed with strict adherence to PRM Program Integrity Guidelines and USCIS Guidelines.
2. Develop standards for hiring contract Interpreters/childminders, including skills testing, when appropriate.
3. Establishes an on-boarding program that introduces Interpreters / Childminders to their role as contractors with RSC.
4. Maintain required records of Contract Interpreters/childminders, including police certificates, reference checks, and identification documents as per Program Integrity Guidelines.
5. Develops and regularly updates standard operating procedures for RSC staff in the proper use of interpreters and childminders.
6. Provides Contract Interpreter / Childminder hiring guidelines to RSC Africa staff including adherence to Program Integrity and USCIS Guidelines on hiring of Contract Interpreters.
7. Maintains current knowledge of the United States Refugee Admissions Program.
8. Travels periodically to field locations throughout sub-Saharan Africa.

Data Management and Analysis

1. Work closely with staff from the Data Integrity Department to ensure all work meets RSC quality standards and adheres to USRAP processing guidelines.
2. Establishes effective communication systems regarding data and ensures reports are accurate and efficient.
3. Reviews and updates, as appropriate, the Interpreter Contract, Interpreter Code of Ethics, Interpreter Application form, and any other documents signed by Contract Interpreters.
4. Regularly research and provides cost of living information per processing countries for payment scale implementation and approval.
5. Submits monthly reports on the status of Contract Interpreter/Childminder management, training, and compliance requirements.
6. Analyse interpreter/childminders needs in the region and provide projections / information that informs the decision of where interpreter recruitment, testing, and training will be completed.
7. Assists in Interpreter/childminder training and monitoring circuit ride projections.

Representation

1. Develops and maintains effective relationships with RSC implementing partners, including PRM, USCIS, IOM, UNHCR, RPC and domestic Resettlement Agencies.
2. Ensures partner and contract interpreter communication from the department is professional, timely and proactive.
3. Represents organizational policies and culture to staff.
4. Ensures the workforce is professional when representing CWS/RSC Africa to refugees, partners, the funder and colleagues.

Performance Management

1. Provides direct supervision and leadership to Interpreter unit staff, including yearly performance evaluations, developing job descriptions, participating in hiring and coordinating leave.
2. Assist PS Manager develop and implement training modules for new staff and provide regular re-training and cross-training for staff within Interpreter unit.
3. Run quality checks (QC) and provide feedback to staff and/or other departments.
4. Conduct coaching, mentoring, feedback and corrective action plans where necessary.
5. Ensures establishment of performance expectations and communication, on-boarding and training.
6. Review and monitor team and individual progress towards unit goals. Identify training needs among Interpreter Support Assistant, and report to the PS Manager and Training Supervisor in order to prioritize training topics.
7. Evaluates and assesses training needs of Interpreter unit and takes the lead in organizing and providing trainings on a regular basis.
8. Monitors staff time and attendance.

Staff Care

1. Monitors and ensure a safe, healthy and professional work environment.
2. Ensures direct reports are accessing and using their benefits appropriately including leave.
3. Actively support staff by promoting safe space, open-door and the escalation policy.
4. Establish and communicate clear expectations to staff to foster a predictable and consistent work environment.
5. Ensures staffs are safe in the field by coordinating with the RSC Staff Security Coordinator and disseminating information related to safety to staff in the field.

Program Administration

1. Acts as the point person for staff inquiries relating to contract interpreters and childminders.
2. Oversee and manage the daily workload of Interpreter Support Assistants in the Interpreter Unit.
3. Establishing goals, objectives, targets and deadlines that allow Interpreter unit staff compliance with BPRM set objectives and indicators/ Cooperative Agreement with CWS Africa.
4. Assists with annual plan and strategic planning goals as communicated by the Processing Support Management.
5. Updates and maintains the RSC Africa Interpreter Management System and the Childminder database.
6. Provides in-house training to RSC staff on how to effectively working with Interpreters and childminders.
7. Develop resources for use by Interpreters and RSC staff to further improve the efficient and effective use of Interpreters.
8. Develops a regular training schedule for all Interpreters/childminders; may be remote-based using technology.
9. Conducts training, testing, support and supervision of the Contract Interpreters and Childminders, both in the field and in Nairobi on a regular basis.

Qualifications:

Experience:

• Six (6) years related paid work experience is required.
• 1.5 years’ experience as an Interpreter or as a Coordinator of Interpreters required.
• One (1) year supervisory experience required.

Skills:

• Demonstrated ability to develop and deliver quality training programs.
• Demonstrated computer skills for Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Internet

Education & Certifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Linguistics or 4 years of paid work 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 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