About Company
Save the Children is the world’s leading independent organization for children. We work in over 100 countries, including Nigeria, to save children’s lives, fight for their rights, and help them fulfill their potential. In Zamfara State, our programs focus on vital areas such as child protection, health, nutrition, education, and livelihoods, aiming to create lasting positive change for the most vulnerable children and their families. Our dedicated teams work tirelessly with communities, local authorities, and partners to deliver impactful interventions and advocate for child-friendly policies and practices. Joining Save the Children means becoming part of a global movement committed to ensuring every child has a happy, healthy, and safe childhood, and the opportunity to build a better future. We champion diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunities in our workforce.
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Job Description
Save the Children is seeking a highly skilled, culturally sensitive, and experienced Translator/Interpreter to join our dynamic team in Gusau, Zamfara. This pivotal role will facilitate seamless and accurate communication between our diverse teams (international and local staff), community members, beneficiaries, and various stakeholders, primarily in Hausa and English. The successful candidate will be instrumental in ensuring that vital information, reports, training materials, advocacy messages, and programmatic communications are accurately and effectively conveyed across language barriers, thereby supporting our critical humanitarian and development programs in Zamfara State.
This position requires a deep understanding of linguistic nuances, cultural contexts specific to Northern Nigeria, and the unwavering ability to maintain strict confidentiality regarding all sensitive program and beneficiary information. You will be responsible for both simultaneous and consecutive interpretation during high-level meetings, community dialogues, workshops, field visits, and official engagements. Additionally, you will translate a wide range of written documents, from technical program reports and proposals to community-facing communication materials and internal memos, all from English to Hausa and vice-versa. Your work will directly contribute to the clarity, impact, and reach of our interventions, enabling us to better serve the children and communities in Zamfara State who rely on our support. We are looking for an individual with exceptional linguistic abilities, strong ethical principles, meticulous attention to detail, and a profound passion for our mission to improve children’s lives.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide accurate and culturally appropriate simultaneous and consecutive interpretation between English and Hausa during meetings, workshops, interviews, focus group discussions, and community engagement activities.
- Translate a variety of written documents, including program reports, proposals, communication materials (IEC), policy documents, training manuals, questionnaires, and internal memos from English to Hausa and Hausa to English.
- Ensure the accuracy, completeness, and fidelity to the original meaning and intent of both interpreted and translated content, maintaining professional standards.
- Maintain strict confidentiality regarding all sensitive information encountered during interpretation and translation tasks, including beneficiary data and organizational strategies.
- Review and proofread translated materials to ensure grammatical correctness, stylistic consistency, appropriate terminology, and adherence to organizational branding and communication guidelines.
- Support program teams in drafting clear, concise, and culturally relevant messages for diverse audiences, considering local linguistic and social sensitivities.
- Assist in the development and maintenance of a comprehensive glossary of technical terms specific to humanitarian aid, child protection, health, nutrition, and education in both English and Hausa.
- Act as a cultural bridge, providing insights into local customs and practices to foster better understanding and collaboration between different groups.
- Participate in relevant training sessions and professional development activities to enhance linguistic skills, interpretation techniques, and knowledge of subject matter.
- Provide timely linguistic support during emergency responses and critical program activities as required, ensuring effective communication flows.
Required Skills
- Fluent in English and Hausa (both spoken and written), with exceptional grammatical and stylistic proficiency in both languages.
- Minimum of 3 years of proven experience as a professional translator and interpreter, preferably within an NGO, humanitarian, or international development context.
- Excellent active listening, critical thinking, memory retention, and note-taking skills for simultaneous and consecutive interpretation.
- Strong command of Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and familiarity with translation software (CAT tools) is an advantage.
- Deep understanding of cultural contexts and sensitivities relevant to Northern Nigeria, particularly Zamfara State.
- Ability to work effectively under pressure, manage multiple tasks, and meet tight deadlines while maintaining high-quality output.
- Demonstrated commitment to accuracy, impartiality, confidentiality, and professional ethics.
- Strong interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills with the ability to engage respectfully with diverse populations.
Preferred Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Linguistics, English Language, Hausa Language, Modern Languages, International Relations, or a related field.
- Professional certification or diploma in translation or interpretation from a recognized institution.
- Experience working directly in Zamfara State or similar contexts in Northern Nigeria, demonstrating familiarity with local dialects and community dynamics.
- Knowledge of additional local languages spoken in Zamfara State (e.g., Fulfulde, Yoruba) is a significant asset.
- Familiarity with humanitarian principles, child safeguarding policies, and development sector terminology.
Perks & Benefits
- Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance.
- Opportunity to work with a leading international NGO making a tangible difference in children's lives.
- Access to continuous professional development, training, and career advancement opportunities.
- A supportive, inclusive, and collaborative work environment with a diverse team.
- Meaningful work that directly contributes to child welfare, education, and community development initiatives in Zamfara State.
- Generous leave entitlements and other allowances as per organizational policy.
How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates are encouraged to apply by clicking on the application link below. Please ensure your CV and a compelling cover letter clearly demonstrate how your linguistic skills, professional experience, and passion align with the specific requirements and mission of this role. Only shortlisted candidates who meet the specified criteria will be contacted for further assessment and interviews.
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