UNIVERSITY OF HARGEISA
LEGAL CLINIC, HUMAN RIGHTS UNIT
Position: Volunteer Interpreter (Arabic)-University of Hargeisa, Legal Clinic (Human Rights Unit)/ PFAN-12102-067317–00
Location : HARGEISA, SOMALILAND
Type of Contract : VOLUNTEER
Internal: Only graduates of the University of Hargeisa can apply for this volunteer post.
Starting Date : March/2024
Application Deadline: 06-March-2024
Languages Required: Arabic and Somali
Background
University of Hargeisa (UOH) Legal Clinic was established in 2002 with support of UNDP and it has been a partner with UNHCR since 2006. Legal Clinic comprised of five units, Criminal unit defense, Civil Litigation unit, access to justice and awareness unit, Women and Child unit and Human Rights Unit.
Human Rights Unit which is a partner with UNHCR is the largest Unit of Legal Clinic and provides free legal aid to people in need of legal aid services, particularly to, refugees, asylum seekers, returnees, IDPs and extremely vulnerable members of the host community in matters relating to criminal cases, civil cases, and customary law, and provides court representation, legal counseling and mediations where necessary. Legal Clinic, Human Rights unit also advocates and provides legal trainings, awareness raising to the host and refugee communities as well as Somaliland Law enforcement agencies and authorities. In addition to that, Legal Clinic, Human Rights Unit provides shelter assistance to vulnerable refugees and asylum seekers through Conditional cash-based intervention.
UOH Legal Clinic, Human Rights Unit Project for the Provision of Free Legal Aid Services is aimed at improving access to national justice system for forcibly displaced persons to UNHCR. As per Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework (CRRF) approach this project is also aimed at improving access to national justice for extremely vulnerable members of host community who can’t afford to hire a lawyer.
Through the formal justice system, Legal Clinic represents vulnerable refugees, asylum seekers, IDPs, returnees and extremely vulnerable members of host communities and by providing a lawyer and an interpreter to overcome any language barriers.
Thus, we are searching for a reliable and trustworthy volunteer to join our organization. However, goal of this volunteer is to improve access to national justice system services for Arabic speaking refugees, who currently encounter local language challenges in Somaliland judicial sector.
Duties and Responsibilities
The Arabic interpreter will be under the direct supervision of the Project Manager, and will take the following responsibilities:
- Provides interpretation during the court proceedings involving Arabic speaking refugees who can’t speak court language and are mainly Yemeni and Syrian nationals.
- Performs oral interpretation by assisting Arabic community speakers who encounter local language barriers during the Legal Clinic client interview and counseling desk/room.
- Support and assist the office with community outreach services, including mediations, home visits, and detention follow-ups or prison monitoring at the police stations, prisons and other temporary detention centers.
- Translate Arabic documents to national Language such as notaries, official correspondence, papers, etc. in a concise manner from Arabic to local language as requested.
- File all translated documents properly in both hard and soft copy.
- Assisting the project personnel with their project activities like training activities linked to community awareness and presentations.
- Assists and supports the project staff on substantive issues.
- Performs written translations in case of requirement
- Translate educational or awareness materials from English to Arabic or vice versa
- To fulfill other duties, as required by the project manager.
Competencies
- Demonstrates integrity by modeling the Legal Clinic values and ethical standards
- Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of Legal Clinic Human Rights Unit;
- Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.
- Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
- Demonstrates good oral and written communication skills;
- Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities.
Required Skills and Experience
Education & Experience:
- A Bachelor’s degree in Arabic Languages, social work, Sharia, Law or any other related field with specialized Certificate in Arabic language proficiency and translation;
- Your Transcript cumulative GPA must be 3.83 or above
- Six months of relevant job experience in interpretation or translation.
- Should be able to translate legal documents form Arabic to national language and from National language to Arabic;
- Excellent inter-personal and communications skills;
- Excellent computer skills, with MS. Office (Word, Excel, Power Point).
Language Requirements:
- Fluency in Arabic, and Somali is required. Ability to translate from Arabic into Somali, and vice versa is required.
Application Procedure
Qualified and interested applicants are encouraged to submit curriculum vitae, testimonials and a letter of interest stating suitability for the position to Hargeisa University Human Resource Office or director.hr@uoh.edu.so with the subject heading “Volunteer interpreter-Arabic ” before 06 March, 2024.
