Raleigh International, a youth and sustainable development charity relies on teams of volunteer managers in project and field based roles to help run community, environment and adventure expeditions for young people (venturers) aged 17-24 from all walks of life. One of the roles we recruit for is the Spanish interpreter role.
Requirements
Aged 25 to 75, common sense, flexibility, drive, teamworking and some roles require specialist skills.
We are looking for Spanish speakers for our expeditions departing in June, July and September 2012.
“Acting as a translator on a building project in Nicaragua, I practiced my Spanish extensively. Despite having lived in Latin America before, this is the most that I have ever been required to use my language. It has improved enormously!” Katie Aston, Costa Rica & Nicaragua 2010
The role
Interpreters play an important ambassadorial role for our organisation and they are vital for the smooth running of our projects. They must have patience, flexibility and a good sense of humour as they can be called upon day or night! There are normally three or four interpreters on each expedition, who essentially act as Project Managers but focus on facilitating the group’s link to the local community. The role is one of considerable responsibility, working alongside Project Managers to run project sites in remote areas, managing a team of around 12 international young people in a cross-cultural environment. Interpreters focus on getting the venturers actively involved with project partners and beneficiaries through teaching basic Spanish and raising awareness of customs and culture, helping teach the locals English, integrating the ‘Host Country Volunteers’ into the group and maximising project communication.
Essential skills
•Willingness to be flexible and put the needs of the expedition and the venturers first
•Advanced spoken Spanish and English
•Have a high level of diplomacy - Interpreters play an important ambassadorial role for our organisation
•Ability to work effectively under pressure and to tight deadlines
•The ability to manage a variety of demanding and sometimes conflicting responsibilities in a physical, remote and dynamic environment
•Display effective personal leadership and develop leadership skills of others
•Open to personal development concepts and willing to engage in own development
Desirable skills
•Use of English/Spanish as a foreign language in a professional environment
•Experience of Latin American Spanish and culture
•Be able to teach basic Spanish and encourage the Volunteer Managers and venturers to communicate with local communities and project partners
•Experience of working with diverse groups of people from varied backgrounds and cultures
•Experience of travelling to or living in remote locations
Benefits
•Make a genuine difference to host communities and environments. With a permanent Fieldbase in each country, participants are able to build long-term relationships with in-country staff, project partners and beneficiaries to ensure the projects are worthwhile and sustainable
•Get off-the-beaten track! Raleigh works in areas tourists don’t have access to, offering a unique opportunity to explore remote and pristine environments
•Experience a unique exchange of cultures and make long-lasting friendships
•Gain satisfaction from helping young people on their way to being the best they can be, developing your own confidence and learning many new skills along the way
One thing is certain - there is no such thing as a typical day on a Raleigh expedition!
Please note that all volunteer managers will be expected to make a financial contribution to the charity to help cover the costs on the expedition and pay for personal flights to and from Costa Rica. Further information can be found on the website in the aged 25+ section.
For more information please do not hesitate to contact us.
If you would like to come to one of our open events please sign up on the website.
