Volunteer Interpreter

Title: Volunteer Interpreter (across approximately 7 or more languages)

Department: Refugee Sponsorship and Resettlement Program (RSRP)

Reports To: Director, Refugee Sponsorship and Resettlement Program (RSRP)

Status: On-Call Volunteer

Location: Remote (Canada)

Compensation Type: Volunteer / Unpaid

PURPOSE:

World Renew is recruiting volunteers to support interpretation needs across approximately eight or more priority languages to support our Refugee Sponsorship and Resettlement Program (RSRP). We anticipate selecting one or more volunteers for each of the following languages based on applicant availability, language proficiency, and program needs:

• Dari
• Tigrinya
• Swahili
• Somali
• Kurdish (Kurmanji)
• Dinka
• Amharic

Applicants must be fluent in English and at least one of the above languages. Individuals who speak additional newcomer languages are also encouraged to apply.

These volunteers will help by facilitating communication during newcomer monitoring interviews and play an important role in supporting refugee settlement and ensuring newcomers feel heard, understood, and supported during their journey in Canada.

This volunteer opportunity provides a meaningful way to use your language skills to serve newcomers and contribute to World Renew's mission of demonstrating God's love through justice, compassion, and reconciliation.

World Renew is a Sponsorship Agreement Holder (SAH) with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). As part of our commitment to supporting refugees resettled in Canada, we conduct periodic newcomer monitoring interviews during sponsored newcomers’ first year in Canada to better understand settlement experiences and identify any support needs.

Volunteer translators/interpreters assist by facilitating communication between World Renew staff and newcomers during virtual monitoring interviews.

We do not discriminate based on disability, culture, ethnicity, or gender, and welcome and encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide verbal interpretation during virtual newcomer monitoring interviews.
• Assist with communication between newcomers and World Renew staff.
• Review interview materials prior to scheduled interviews.
• Support culturally respectful and accurate communication.
• Maintain strict confidentiality of all information shared during interviews.
• Communicate availability and scheduling needs with World Renew staff.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES REQUIRED:

• Fluency in English and at least one of the following languages relevant to newcomer populations (e.g., Arabic, Farsi, Dari, Pashto, Tigrinya, Spanish, Swahili, French, etc.).
• Strong listening and communication skills.
• Respect for cultural, religious, and linguistic diversity.
• The ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment.
• Reliable access to a computer, internet connection, and private location for virtual meetings.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Teams or similar virtual meeting platforms.

The following are considered assets:

• Translation or interpretation experience.
• Experience working with newcomers, refugees, or immigrant communities.
• Knowledge of refugee sponsorship or settlement services in Canada.

VOLUNTEER COMMITMENT:

• Flexible and remote.
• Assignments are scheduled based on newcomer needs and volunteer availability.
• No minimum commitment is required; however, volunteers should be willing to respond to requests in a timely manner when available.

SCREENING AND PRE-SERVICE REQUIREMENTS:

Because volunteers may interact with vulnerable populations and have access to confidential information, successful candidates will be required to complete the following before beginning service:

• Reference check
• Vulnerable Sector Check
• Confidentiality and Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA)
• Code of Conduct acknowledgement
• Completion of any required onboarding, privacy, confidentiality, safeguarding, or role-specific training

Accessibility and Inclusion

World Renew is committed to building an inclusive and accessible volunteer program. Accommodations are available throughout the volunteer recruitment and onboarding process. Individuals requiring accommodation are encouraged to notify World Renew at any stage of the process so that appropriate arrangements can be made.

World Renew welcomes applications from people of all backgrounds and lived experiences and is committed to creating an environment of dignity, respect, and belonging for all volunteers.

Volunteer Status

This is an unpaid volunteer opportunity. Participation in this role does not create an employment relationship with World Renew. Successful volunteers will be matched with newcomer families based on language needs and availability.