Sarab S. Merza
Winnipeg,MB
Summary
Reliable Translator possessing excellent critical thinking skills and bilingual fluency. Polished in converting written materials, relaying concepts and ideas between languages and editing and proofreading text to reflect language. Meticulous and detailed professional with experience translating verbal and written communication.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Team Assistant/ Interpreter Temporary
UNITAD
Dohuk, Iraq
05.2021 - 10.2023
- I provided interpretation to and from English, Arabic, and English, Kurmanji during witness interviews, witness screenings, and meetings with national counterparts.
- The witness interviews included survivors of sexual violence and recruited children by Da'esh
- In addition to coordination with investigators, liaise with witnesses and victims in advance of witness interviews and screenings, and provide interpretation during vulnerability assessments of witnesses conducted by WPSU psychologists ahead of witness interviews.
- Also, I translated documents from Arabic and English, from Kurmanji and English, and from Badini and English; this included court judgments and Da'esh documents.
Interpreter
Jiyan Foundation for Human Rights
Duhok, Iraq
01.2021 - 05.2021
- Provided simultaneous and consecutive interpretation of the local languages (Arabic, Kurmanji, and Kurdish) to English and vice versa.
- I also helped to correct concepts and meanings according to the conventions of established interpretation protocol, avoiding omissions or additions.
- And maintained punctuality and availability during scheduled work hours.
- As well as following client instructions, I complied with protocol to ensure client expectations were met with the Limited English-speaking Person (LEP), avoiding interaction with the LEP without the client's permission.
- I used the protocol and terminology for various industries, including, but not limited to, medical, insurance, finance, and law.
- And demonstrate commitment to cultural sensitivity and working in a diverse environment.
Translator-interpreter
freelance
Duhok, Iraq
06.2020 - 12.2020
- I worked as an interpreter in the field, and during psychotherapy sessions, I interpreted from the Kurmanji language into the English language.
- I transcribed the audio records of the survivors and ensured the quality of the output with marginal or zero errors.
- Reviewed source documents prior to translation to ensure clarity and understanding of the content.
- Translated client documents between languages.
Translator-Interpreter
freelance
Duhok, Iraq
01.2020 - 06.2020
- I worked as an interpreter in the field and during psychotherapy sessions.
- I was translating from the Kurmanji language into the English language.
- I transcribed the audio records of the Da'esh survivors
- I also translated documents and manuals related to the therapy sessions, and ensured the quality of output with marginal or zero errors.
Medical Interpreter
STEP IN
Duhok, Iraq
05.2019 - 08.2019
- I was assigned to work as a medical interpreter in the camps that belonged to the people who were displaced and targeted by Da'esh; my tasks were:
- - Inform medical staff about important cultural nuances to consider during a meeting, medical consultation, or interview with local people.
- Participate in staff training and meetings as an interpreter.
- Provide face-to-face interpreting from local languages (Arabic and Kurmanji) into the English language, as well as during telephone, radio calls, or other telecom devices when necessary.
- Adapt communication to any circumstances, using an appropriate language registry, as well as diplomatic and courteous manners.
- - Ensure confidentiality and medical secrecy.
Caseworker/ Interpreter
Yazda the global organization
Duhok, Iraq
04.2018 - 07.2018
- - Assessed clients' needs, developed individualized plans, advocated for their rights, connected them to services, monitored progress, and maintained accurate records.
- - Interviewed survivors of the Yezidi genocide in Iraq, and documented their stories for future legal action against perpetrators and cultural preservation.
- - Translated testimonies of survivors from Kurdish/Kurmanji into Arabic and English.
- - Documented Mass Graves and other sites where the Yazidi genocide occurred
- - Organized information in the testimonies for future prosecution.
- - Reported to the project manager.
Team Assistant
Sunrise
Duhok- Shingal, Iraq
01.2015 - 04.2015
- - Translated documents related to official contracts from Arabic into English.
- Drafted contracts for hired service contractors.
- - Ensured that all policies and regulations are duly respected and followed by staff.
- - Supported the development and implementation of HR initiatives and systems.
- - Provided counseling on policies and procedures.
Education
Certificate/Diploma - pharmacy
diploma
Duhok, DUHOK, Iraq05.2023
Certificate/Diploma - liberal arts
Diploma
India12.2022
Skills
- Transcription proficiency
- Written translation
- Excellent listening
- Simultaneous interpretation
- Language localization
- Fluent bilingualism
- Industry-specific terminology
- Live interpretations
- Strong vocabulary skills
- Advanced grammar
- Cultural awareness
Training
- General investigation course, IICI (INSTITUTE FOR INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION)
- SSAFE TRAINING, UNITAD
- MHPSS, IOM
- COMMUNICATION SKILLS, IOM
- CONFLICT BASED PROJECTS, IOM
- WOMEN REHABILITATION, IOM
- CPR, Step in
- FIRST AID, Step in
References
- Maria Pimentel Biscaia, SENIOR LEGAL OFFICER at UNITAD, +9647833008941, biscaia@un.org
- Eivor Lagreid, Psychologist, Yazda, Jiyan foundation, step-in, freelance, +4790654124, eivorland@gmail.com
- Magdelena Nauderer, Supervisor at XIM University, JWL, +49017670852491, magdalena.nauderer@jwl.org
Languages
- Arabic, Fluent
- Kurdish, Fluent
- Kurmanji, Fluent (Mother Tongue)
- English, Fluent
Languages
English
Full Professional
Arabic
Native/ Bilingual
Certification
IICI (INSTITUTE FOR INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION)
General investigation course
UNITAD SSAFE TRAINING
IOM MHPSS course, communication skills, conflict-based projects, women rehabilitation, PSS, case management, CPR, first aid
IOM case management techniques
IntouchCX Tax training
IntouchCX level 1 customer service
Intouch CX premium customer service
Timeline
Team Assistant/ Interpreter Temporary
UNITAD
05.2021 - 10.2023
Interpreter
Jiyan Foundation for Human Rights
01.2021 - 05.2021
Translator-interpreter
freelance
06.2020 - 12.2020
Translator-Interpreter
freelance
01.2020 - 06.2020
Medical Interpreter
STEP IN
05.2019 - 08.2019
Caseworker/ Interpreter
Yazda the global organization
04.2018 - 07.2018
Team Assistant
Sunrise
01.2015 - 04.2015
Certificate/Diploma - pharmacy
diploma
Certificate/Diploma - liberal arts
Diploma
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