Legal Aid Interpreter @ Danish Refugee Council Greece

Introduction

The Danish Refugee Council assists refugees and internally displaced persons across the globe: we provide emergency aid, fight for their rights, and strengthen their opportunity for a brighter future. We work in conflict-affected areas, along the displacement routes, and in the countries where refugees settle. In cooperation with local communities, we strive for responsible and sustainable solutions. We work toward successful integration and – whenever possible – for the fulfillment of the wish to return home.

The Danish Refugee Council was founded in Denmark in 1956 and has since grown to become an international humanitarian organization with more than 7,000 staff and 8,000 volunteers. Based in Copenhagen (Denmark) and present in forty countries, the Danish Refugee Council is a non-profit-making, politically independent, non-governmental and non-denominational relief organization.

Our vision is a dignified life for all displaced. All our efforts are based on our value compass: humanity, respect, independence and neutrality, participation, and honesty and transparency.

Background

The Danish Refugee Council initiated its activities in the island of Lesvos in November 2015 due to the unprecedented influx of asylum seekers. Following new political developments and displacement dynamics in early 2016, DRC expanded its activities to the mainland to support the people living in several sites across the country.

With offices in Athens, Larissa and Thessaloniki, it currently implements a wide range of activities, including Site Management Support, legal assistance, identification of individual needs and protection of highly vulnerable persons, access to services within and outside the hosting sites through cultural mediation, and non-formal education. DRC works closely with the refugee communities, the Greek authorities and other humanitarian actors to ensure a protective environment for refugees and asylum seekers in Greece.

1. Purpose

DRC Greece is looking to recruit a qualified, flexible and enthusiastic professional to work for its Office in Larisa as Legal Aid Interpreter. Under the overall supervision of the Legal Aid Team Leader and in cooperation with the legal aid team and the DRC protection staff, the Legal Aid Interpreter will mainly provide interpretation services for the Legal Aid Officers, from Kurdish to Greek/English and retro-versa. The interpreter mainly will facilitate the implementation of DRC’s legal assistance programme. 

2. Duties and Responsibilities

Responsibilities will include, but not necessarily be limited, to the following:  

• Provide consecutive interpretation for group legal information sessions as well as for one-on-one individual legal counselling and individual legal case management for the DRC legal team relevant with asylum procedures and refugee rights, across refugee sites in Central Greece.
• Occasionally provide written translation when required.
• Other tasks as required by Legal Aid Officer to support the implementation of DRC’s legal assistance programme activities.
• Provide interpretation services and facilitate access of POC to off-site services including but not limited to public services
• Support with interpretation relevant to achievements of protection objectives.
• Any other duties as may be assigned by the Legal Aid Team Leader and/or Field Protection Manager, relevant to the achievement of protection objectives.

3. Required Qualifications

• Excellent verbal and written English and/or Greek skills.
• Excellent knowledge of one of the following languages: Kurdish (Sorani, Kurmanji and/or Badini), Somali, Lingala, French, Arabic or Dari skills are required. Working knowledge of more than one of these languages will be considered as an advantage. All candidates will undergo a language test with a native speaker.

4. Desirable skills

• Previous work experience as an interpreter or cultural mediator with (I)NGOs/UN/grassroots/volunteer organisation will be considered as a strong advantage.
• Relevant university degree, or certification of translator will be considered as a strong advantage.
• Extensive vocabulary and ability to accurately translate complex ideas and information, capacity to understand and translate, legal and procedural information.

5. Required Skills & Qualities

• Core Competencies of DRC:
• Striving for excellence
• Collaboration
• Taking the lead
• Communication
• Demonstrating Integrity
• Ability to work in a multinational and multicultural environment
• Proactivity, with a sound commitment to teamwork and with a spirit of genuine collaboration
• Strong initiative and self-motivated, with a strong commitment to humanitarian principle and high sense of ethics
• Excellent communication skills, as well as patience and politeness, are needed
• Ability to cope with high workload and stress and identify priority activities and assignments, and adjust priorities as required
• Multi-tasking and organizational skills are must, and a good sense of humor

6. Terms and Conditions

• The contract will be under the Greek Labor Law (this is a national position)
• All allowances will be provided to the employees (Christmas, Easter, Vacation bonus)
• DRC provides training opportunities to develop and strengthen the quality of its services as well as its staff members’ professional and personal development.
• The position will be based in Larisa (Central Greece)and national terms and conditions apply

7. Application Process

Are you interested?

Then apply for this position on line: www.drc.dk/about-drc/vacancies/current-vacancies

All applicants must send a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages). Both must be in English.

DRC provides equal opportunity in employment and prohibits discrimination in employment on the basis of race, sex, color, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability. DRC encourages all applicants to apply and does not practice any discrimination in any recruitment process. However, applicants must be aware that DRC cannot systemically sponsor non-EU citizen or non-Greek resident for all the steps of legal process to get a work permit and/or a residency permit in Greece.

Applications close on the 15^th of December. Applications submitted after this date will not be considered.

Due to the urgency of the position DRC reserves the right to recruit a candidate who matches the required profile before the above deadline.