Application Guide

How to Apply for English/Arabic Translator (Consultant)

at Syria Justice and Accountability Centre

🏢 About Syria Justice and Accountability Centre

SJAC is a unique organization dedicated to documenting human rights violations in Syria to promote accountability and justice. Working here means contributing to a mission-driven team that values accuracy and sensitivity in handling human rights information.

About This Role

As an English/Arabic Translator, you will translate critical articles, reports, and social media posts, ensuring that SJAC's findings reach Arabic-speaking audiences accurately. Your work directly supports accountability efforts by making human rights documentation accessible.

💡 A Day in the Life

You might start by reviewing a new article from SJAC's research team, then translate it into Arabic, ensuring terms like 'forced disappearance' are accurately rendered. You'd coordinate with the comms team on social media posts and occasionally back-translate a short Arabic document to English for verification.

🎯 Who Syria Justice and Accountability Centre Is Looking For

  • Has 2+ years of professional English-Arabic translation experience, preferably with human rights or legal content.
  • Can consistently translate 2000–3500 words per day while maintaining high accuracy.
  • Possesses full professional fluency in Arabic with exceptional grammar and a strong command of English.
  • Is comfortable collaborating with a remote team and handling sensitive or difficult terminology related to human rights violations.

📝 Tips for Applying to Syria Justice and Accountability Centre

1

Highlight your experience with human rights, legal, or sensitive content in your resume and cover letter.

2

Provide examples of your translation speed (e.g., words per day) and how you maintain quality under deadlines.

3

Include a brief translation sample (English to Arabic) relevant to human rights or justice topics.

4

Emphasize your ability to coordinate with subject matter experts to ensure accurate terminology.

5

Research SJAC's published reports and note any specific terminology they use that you are familiar with.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your commitment to human rights and accountability in Syria.', 'Your proven translation speed and accuracy with complex content.', 'Experience with sensitive terminology and remote collaboration.', 'Your ability to handle both English-to-Arabic and Arabic-to-English translations as needed.']

Generate Cover Letter →

🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • Read SJAC's latest reports and note their style and terminology.
  • Understand the current human rights situation in Syria and key actors.
  • Familiarize yourself with SJAC's mission and values, especially regarding impartiality and accuracy.
  • Review any public guidelines or glossaries they may use for translation.
Visit Syria Justice and Accountability Centre's Website →

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How you handle translating sensitive or graphic human rights content.
2 Your process for ensuring accuracy of terminology, especially legal or political terms.
3 Describe a time you had to meet a tight deadline for a translation project.
4 How do you stay updated on Syrian human rights issues and related vocabulary?
5 Your experience working remotely and coordinating with a distributed team.
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Submitting a generic cover letter that doesn't mention human rights or Syria.
  • Overstating translation speed without evidence of quality.
  • Ignoring the importance of terminology coordination with staff.
  • Failing to proofread your application for language errors.

📅 Application Timeline

⏰ Deadline: June 30, 2026

We recommend applying at least a few days early to avoid last-minute technical issues.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Syria Justice and Accountability Centre!