Interpretation Support (Dari to English and English to Dari)

Opportunity Title: Interpretation Support (Dari to English and English to Dari)



Opportunity Description: We are looking for a fully bilingual English-Dari speaker with native/heritage fluency (preferably in both languages but at least one) to provide interpretation support to one of our clients. The volunteer would be assisting one of our immigration team staff attorneys during their client’s appointment to streamline communication during the meeting. Interpretation would be needed from both English to Dari and Dari to English. Volunteers are not required to be certified interpreters but should be completely comfortable interpreting between the two languages, and preferably having interpretation experience, whether through a formal position or volunteering.



Individuals assisting can do so virtually as this is a limited, one – time opportunity to start, with flexible scheduling during business hours. They will also need to review, sign, and return our Volunteer Personnel Manual, our Confidentiality Agreement, as well as connect with our staff attorney before providing assistance.



Department/Individuals Assisting Ayuda Legal - Immigration Team (MD Office)



Responsible to: Linden Wait, one of our Immigration – Staff Attorneys and Connor Paul, our Volunteer Manager



# of Volunteers Requesting: We are looking for a 1 volunteer to assist with this opportunity



Responsibilities:

Assistance with facilitation conversation between attorney and client in relation to matters discussed during the appointment

Interpretation of information shared by attorney from English to Dari

Interpretation of information shared by client from Dari to English



Opportunity Qualifications:

Required:

Aged 18+ or older

Bilingual abilities, English – Dari native/heritage fluency

Flexibility to provide support during business days/hours

Polite, courteous, and a positive disposition

Ability to communicate well with others

Organized, timely, and able to meet deadlines

Passionate about serving the immigrant community



Preferred:

Some experience in interpretation, specifically between English and Dari

Previous experience working to assist low-income individuals, immigrants, refugees, or survivors of domestic abuse/sexual assault/trauma





Commitment: Individuals assisting with this opportunity will coordinate their availability with our staff attorney to provide interpretation support. Such support should only be needed for at least 30 minutes up to 1 hour. Support can be provided remotely/virtually with a preference to coordinate such during the AM (9 AM – 12 PM).



Technology Needed: Individuals will need to have a mobile device or softphone that they can not only make calls from but have comfortability providing translation support through over a merged call.





Sign Up/Application: To help with this opportunity and provide interpretation in support of our clients, please sign up for our opportunity here! Our Volunteer Manager will reach out to confirm your assistance as well as our informal vetting process to confirm ability to assist. The following questions will be asked of all sign ups:



Are you fluent in English/Dari?

Have you provided in person interpretation for these two languages before?

Have you done translations between these two languages that include legal terminology?

If a prospective volunteer has some sort of proof of fluency (degrees, certifications, test results, etc.) that would be sufficient with additional questions not needed to answer)





Once informally vetted, our Volunteer Manager will follow up to provide documentation (Volunteer Personnel Manual, Confidentiality Agreement) individuals will need to sign and return before they can assist as well as connecting to our staff attorney directly.



If you have any questions about this opportunity, please don’t hesitate to reach out to him at volunteers@ayuda.com.