Arabic Translator & Interpreter

RABAH ALHASSAN

E-mail: ***********@*****.***

Permanent Work Authorization. No Visa Sponsorship Required.

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PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY

Professional Arabic Interpreter and Administrative Assistant capable of handling a wide range of administrative functions. Proven track-record of consistently producing quality work for high-value clients and senior managers and executives. Highly accomplished in translating and interpreting for governmental organizations and multinational corporations.

Key Skills

• Fluent in English & Arabic (bilingual)

• Translating documents from English to Arabic & vice versa

• Simultaneous and consecutive interpretation

• Excellent interpersonal skills, initiative and attention to detail

• Intercultural communication & multinational business environments

• Executive secretarial and administrative support

• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Program Assistant, Outreach & Case Management June 2010 – January 2011

Interfaith Refugee and Immigration Ministries, Chicago, IL

A nonprofit refugee resettlement agency providing human services for refugees and asylees

• Carry out intake interviews with refugees and asylees

• Refer clients to state and municipal human service agencies; assist them in filling out required paperwork

• Conduct needs assessments for newly-arrived families via home visits

• Create and maintain files in Access database and in hard copy

• Maintain ongoing communication with clients, alert them to upcoming appointments and provide transportation where needed; distribute government identification and resettlement checks

• Have visited local institutions to share information about program via fliers and brief description

• Provide Arabic-English translation and interpretation services

Translator & Executive Assistant February 2007 – April 2010

Qatar Primary Materials Company, Doha, Qatar

A Qatari state enterprise providing construction materials to the local and regional market

• Provided executive secretarial and administrative support for the efficient functioning of the Chairman & Board of Directors offices, including Arabic-English translation and interpretation, correspondence, scheduling meetings, minutes of meeting, proof reading and document control

• Worked with customs clearance for imports and exports

• Began as Board Assistant, was promoted to office manager for Chairman after 7 months

• Acted as primary interpreter for bids and contract negotiations with several international companies from Ireland, the U.K., South Korea, China, Singapore, and the U.S., resulting in highly lucrative contracts for the company

• Managed diverse office staff of employees from Philippines, India, Nepal, Saudi Arabia, and Sudan

• Was instrumental in communicating with and negotiating contract from biggest sand-washing plant in the Arab Gulf; construction contracts was valued at $1M USD

Liaison Officer December 2004 – December 2006

Ministry of Displacement & Migration, Baghdad, Iraq

A governmental ministry providing human services for internally displaced persons, immigrants & refugees

• Served as communication focal point with U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees, International Organization for Migration and local and foreign NGOs

• Distributed humanitarian assistance to internally displaced persons and refugees

• Acted as executive administrative and translation support for Deputy Minister

• Began as assistant to the Deputy Minister; due to quality workmanship and effective communication and interpretation skills, was recruited by Executive Director of Humanitarian Affairs Department for outward-facing liaison position

• Devised plan to motivate internally displaced persons in Iraq’s green zone to return to their homes, presented plan to joint meeting of ministry and coalition leadership and took lead on plan implementation; was awarded letter of commendation from U.S. Embassy for work

Interpreter / Translator & Cultural Adviser October 2003 – November 2004

L-3 Communications, Baghdad, Iraq

A private U.S. corporation based in New York providing interpretation, translation and linguistic analyst support to the U.S. Army

• Provided consecutive interpretation and translation from Arabic to English & vice versa

• Bridged language gap between soldiers and local building contractors

• Identified cultural misunderstandings, developed and led cultural training to foster peaceful, effective communication between Americans & Iraqis

• Due to exceptional language capabilities, was promoted to position under Commander of Cavalry Division (3-star general), the highest interpreter position available within the company

EDUCATION

Bachelor's Degree in English Language & Literature 2003

College of Languages, Baghdad University, Baghdad, Iraq

Largest university in Iraq: uobaghdad.edu.iq

Equivalent to a B.A. with a major in English as a Foreign Language & English Literature, as evaluated by ECE credential evaluators

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT / AFFILIATIONS

Interpretation and Language Training

• Certificate, “Interpretation in a Community Setting” course, Illinois Coalition for Immigrant & Refugee Rights, Chicago, IL, 2010

• Successful completion of International English Language Testing System (IELTS) course and exam, Bell Doha Center, Doha, Qatar, 2008

• Attendee, “Translation in the Digital Age: Arabic Expertise” conference, International Association of Arabic Translators & Linguists, Doha, Qatar, 2008

• Participant, “Scientific English Translation” seminar, Ministry of Science and Technology, Baghdad, Iraq, 2006

• Member, Iraqi Translators Association, Baghdad, Iraq, 2003

Computer Skills Training

• Microsoft Project ‘03 Course, Al-Attiya Training Center, Doha, Qatar, 2009

• Certificate, ICDL computer training course for Windows and MS Office suite, ICDL GCC Foundation, Doha, Qatar, 2009

Humanitarian Training and Credentials

• Certificate, “Public Relations & Social Responsibilities of Organizations” course, Qatar Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Doha, Qatar, 2009

• Delegate for Iraq’s Ministry of Displacement & Migration, “Capacity Building for Migration Management” conference, International Organization for Migration, Geneva, Switzerland, 2005

• Certificate, “Protection in the Context of Humanitarian Assistance” course, Danish Refugee Council, Amman, Jordan, 2005

• Participant, “IDPs Monitoring” training, U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees & International Organization for Migration, Amman, Jordan, 2005

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