HMA Assistant

Job Posting Organization:
The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is one of the world’s leading non-governmental organizations (NGOs) focused on responding to displacement. Established in 1956, DRC has been registered in Sudan since 2004, delivering life-saving programming in various sectors including protection, emergency response, shelter, security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security and livelihoods, disaster risk reduction, camp management, and humanitarian mine action. The organization operates in multiple regions within Sudan, including Central Darfur, South Kordofan, Gedaref, Port Sudan, and White Nile. DRC is dedicated to addressing the needs of one of the largest displaced populations in Africa, which includes over 3.7 million internally displaced people and over 1.1 million refugees from various countries. The organization is committed to providing support amidst the ongoing political crisis and economic turmoil in Sudan, which has been exacerbated by rising food and energy costs, disease outbreaks, and ongoing conflict.

Job Overview:
The HMA Assistant position is designed to provide essential support to the non-Arabic speaking members of the Humanitarian Mine Action (HMA) team. The primary responsibility of the HMA Assistant is to facilitate communication between non-Arabic speaking HMA technical trainers and Arabic-speaking training participants. This role is crucial for ensuring that training sessions, which are led by DRC’s Technical Adviser or other technical personnel, are effective and that all participants understand the material being presented. The HMA Assistant will be responsible for interpreting during various training activities, ensuring that communication is clear, accurate, and technically sound. This includes providing interpretation during classroom instruction, practical exercises, demonstrations, discussions, and safety briefings. The HMA Assistant will also assist in administrative tasks related to training and coordination, ensuring that all logistical aspects are managed effectively to support the HMA program activities.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The HMA Assistant will be tasked with providing interpretation services to non-Arabic speaking HMA team members during coordination meetings with the National Mine Action Center (NMAC), local authorities, and local partners. They will also provide technical interpretation services during HMA and project management trainings for the HMA sector, which includes NMAC and national NGOs in Sudan. The role involves supporting the HMA team with coordination, logistical, and administrative activities required for trainings and HMA program activities. The HMA Assistant will provide consecutive interpretation between English and Arabic throughout the technical HMA trainings, ensuring effective communication during classroom sessions, practical exercises, demonstrations, participant questions and discussions, daily briefings and debriefings, as well as safety and medical briefings. It is essential that the HMA Assistant ensures that technical terminology is translated accurately, with support from DRC’s Arabic-speaking Technical Field Manager. They will also assist the lead trainer in communicating instructions, particularly during practical and safety-critical training activities, which may take place outdoors. Additionally, the HMA Assistant will be responsible for maintaining professionalism, neutrality, and confidentiality throughout the assignment, coordinating closely with the lead trainer to familiarize themselves with terminology, agenda, and key messages. They will also review relevant training materials and standard operating procedures (SOPs) provided by the instructor to ensure they are well-prepared before training commences. Administrative tasks will include document management, coordinating signatures, scanning, archiving, and ensuring close coordination with local authorities and relevant external stakeholders.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates for the HMA Assistant position must possess a minimum of three years of relevant work experience, with proven experience as an interpreter between English and Arabic. Strong spoken fluency in both languages is essential, along with prior experience supporting technical training, preferably in humanitarian, security, engineering, or mine action contexts. The ability to understand and accurately interpret specialized or operational terminology is crucial, as well as strong communication skills and the ability to work effectively in a training environment. Professionalism, punctuality, and the ability to maintain confidentiality are also required. Preferred qualifications include previous experience in the HMA sector and knowledge of Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD)-related terminology.

Educational Background:
A Bachelor's degree in a relevant field is required for the HMA Assistant position. Additionally, candidates should possess computer skills, including proficiency in the MS Office package, to effectively manage documentation and communication tasks associated with the role.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of three years of relevant work experience, particularly in roles that involve interpretation and support for technical training. Candidates should have a strong background in interpreting between English and Arabic, with a focus on technical or operational contexts, ideally within humanitarian or mine action sectors.

Languages:
Fluency in written and spoken Arabic, including technical terminology, is mandatory for this position. A good command of written and spoken English is also required, enabling effective communication and interpretation during training sessions and meetings.

Additional Notes:
The HMA Assistant position is a national contract with a duration of 6 months or longer. The salary range starts from USD 1,025 per month. The duty station for this role is Omdurman, and the start date is as soon as possible. The closing date for applications is set for 25/6/202

• The Danish Refugee Council offers various benefits, including two bonuses during Eid festivals, contributions to the National Social Insurance and Pension Fund, a health insurance plan that includes family coverage, group personal accidental insurance, and an excellent working environment with opportunities for growth and various learning and development courses. All employees are expected to demonstrate DRC’s five core competencies, which include striving for excellence, collaborating with relevant parties, taking the lead, communicating effectively, and demonstrating integrity.