Interpreter at The Halo Trust Ethiopia

Position: Interpreter

Reports to: Operations Manager & Operations Officer

Works in partnership with : Regional office manager, Programme Coordinator, Admin & Finance Officer

Location: Afar field & Semera

Closing Date: 15/10/2025

Contract type: fixed term (12 months, renewable, 60 days probation)

About The HALO Trust

HALO is the world’s oldest and largest demining organisation, with 10,000 staff in 30 countries. 98% of HALO’s staff are local employees and include a growing number of women. Wearing the HALO badge is to belong in a team sharing one purpose: serving people affected by conflict, clearing landmines and explosive remnants of war that threaten lives long after fighting has finished. At HALO, we pride ourselves in the life-saving work we do, and have correspondingly high expectations of the staff we employ.

Role Summary

The Operations Interpreter plays a vital role in ensuring accurate, clear, and culturally appropriate communication between HALO’s Management Team, staff, local communities, authorities, and external stakeholders. The role covers verbal and written translation in Afar, Amharic, and English, with a key responsibility to support effective communication during operational activities, community engagement, and donor visits.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

• Provide accurate interpretation between Afar, English, and Amharic during meetings, training sessions, field visits, and community engagements.
• Facilitate effective communication between HALO staff, Communities, Regional / local authorities, and external stakeholders, including donors.
• Act as primary interpreter during donor monitoring visits and delegations, ensuring technical and community perspectives are conveyed clearly.
• Translate documents, reports, and training materials as required.
• Support Operational activities in Afar region by relaying information accurately between teams and communities.
• Ensure confidentiality, cultural sensitivity, and professionalism always.
• Translation of survey123 forms into Afar
• Translate SOPs into Afar and Amharic on confluence
• Undertake other delegated duties as assigned by OM

Personal Specifications

• Young, energetic, and enthusiastic, with a strong willingness to learn and grow with in the role.
• Loyal, honest with high level of personal integrity
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to interpret accurately and clearly
• Flexible and adaptable, able to work effectively under pressure and in harsh climates in all zones of Afar region
• Committed to professionalism and confidentiality

All HALO staff are expected to undertake the following general duties:

• Work within the framework of HALO’s core values, promoting its ethos and mission statement
• Work towards achieving programme and/or group business plan objectives
• Ensure familiarity with and adhere to all HALO policies and procedures and keep informed of HALO activities
• Travel to field trip among other team members as and when required
• To discharge duties and responsibilities under HALO’s Health and Safety Procedures which may include Risk Assessments and participation in evacuation procedures as necessary.

This job description is intended to summarise the main duties and responsibilities of the post; this is not intended to be a full and exhaustive list of tasks. All HALO staff are expected to demonstrate flexibility and willingness to perform appropriate tasks when the need arises.

Requirements

• Minimum of 2 years of previous relevant work experience as Interpreter/ translator.
• University degree from a recognized Universities.
• Fluency in Afar language is mandatory.
• Fluency in English language is mandatory.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills.