Data Translation and Transcription (Inclusivity)

About Headlight

Founded in 2018, Headlight Consulting Services, LLC delivers data-driven decision-making to its partners through robust strategy design support, in-depth monitoring, evaluation, and learning technical services, and facilitated organizational change processes. Headlight brings expertise in qualitative methods, systems-thinking, utilization-focused MEL, emergent methods such as developmental evaluation, evaluation policy design, organizational development, and much more. Headlight offers fit-for-purpose, agile solutions to improve the efficiency and efficacy of development programs around the globe, focusing on the structures and systems that enable sustainable solutions.

Summary of Position

Under the USAID Policy LINK Champions for Food Security (C4FS) activity, Headlight Consulting Services is recruiting Data Translator/Transcribers to support the Inclusive Policymaking Learning Activity. The Data Translator/Transcribers will translate and transcribe audio records from local languages (e.g. Amharic) to English. Data Translator/Transcribers are expected to have excellent communication skills in English and Amharic and be able to work with minimum supervision.

The Data Transcriber is expected to be able to translate and transcribe 20-30 interviews over 3 weeks on a rolling basis as the recordings are submitted by the interviewers. Daily tasks include utilizing excellent active listening skills to transcribe and translate audio recordings from Amharic to English.  The Data Transcriber is expected to work on their own laptop and have access to an internet connection that allows upload and download of large files. 

Transcription and translation can be completed outside regular business hours, however the Data Transcriber will be expected to attend scheduled training and scheduled team meetings during regular business hours. 

Work will be conducted with confidential and sensitive data. The Data Transcriber will be required to sign a Non-Disclosure agreement. Headlight reserves the right to conduct a background check on qualified candidates. 

Candidates with experience in legal transcription and medical transcription are encouraged to apply.

Number of Positions Available: 

• Three or four (3-4)

• Place of Work: 

  From home

• Duration: 

  3-4 weeks 

Responsibilities

• The overall task of this position is to transcribe and translate the key informant interviews (KII) for an “Inclusive Policy Making Learning Activity.” The Data Translator/Transcriber will: 
• Access KII recordings from a permission-protected folder managed by Headlight.
• Use a tracker spreadsheet created by Headlight to indicate which KIIs are “in progress” and “complete” so the project manager(s) can see on a daily basis status/progress, manage assignments, and make decisions based on accurate data about the speed of transcription and translation. 
• Translate and transcribe audio records from Amharic to English in a timely manner (minimum three hours of KII records per day) using the KII protocol template (the questions asked during the interview) to document answers in the correct places.
• Review and edit the KII transcripts for grammatical or spelling errors. 
• Upload the KII translations to a specified Google Drive location as they are completed or daily. 
• Regularly communicate and coordinate (via email, trackers, and meetings) with the Headlight team to ensure smooth progress.
• Cooperate with the Headlight analysts team when there are questions about the translations.
• Maintain the confidentiality of the data (per the terms of a signed non-disclosure agreement)
• Comply with the ethical requirements of Headlight Consulting Services 

• Other duties as assigned, within reason and based on mutual agreement

  Career Level

• Mid Level (2-5 years)

  Employment Type

• Temporary Contract

Headlight Consulting Services, LLC complies with all policies, laws, and regulations in Ethiopia’s Labour Proclamation. Headlight provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by law. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Required Qualifications

• Fluency in written and verbal/oral English and Amharic. Knowledge and skills in other languages are added values. Please make a note in your CV and Cover letter of which languages you have a working fluency. 
• Ability to accurately comprehend, identify, and note the key data points without any interpretational errors
• Ability to focus on a speaker and hear everything they say (Active listening) 
• Ability to type quickly with accuracy
• Ability to plan and organize your tasks in order to complete them in a suitable amount of time (Time management)
• Comfort with change and ability to adapt
• Ability to work well as a member of a team and independently with minimal supervision
• Possession of a laptop

How To Apply

Interested persons should send a CV and Cover Letter that highlights experience aligned with the requirements above to info@headlightconsultingservices.com. Please include in the subject line of your email “Transcriber/Translator - Inclusivity” Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis so apply as soon as possible! Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.  

Qualified Female applicants are encouraged to apply. 

Please note that this vacancy is only for Nationals of Ethiopia.