Open to opportunities

senait Kebede

@senaitkebede

Trilingual interpreter and protection-focused legal professional delivering confidential language access across healthcare and social services.

United States

Message

What I'm looking for

I’m seeking part-time, flexible interpreting work (on-site, phone, or video), focused on healthcare, education, and social services—where I can deliver accurate, confidential language access and support cross-cultural communication.

I combine trilingual interpreting (Tigrinya, Amharic, English) with hands-on experience supporting sensitive, real-world access to services. I’m trained in community interpreting for healthcare, education, and social services, and I bring a strong grounding in confidentiality, accuracy, and cultural mediation.

In interpreter roles with the International Rescue Committee (IRC) and as a freelance interpreter, I support cross-cultural communication for community programs and client access. I focus on clear, consecutive interpretation while maintaining confidentiality and ensuring non-English-speaking clients can effectively navigate services.

Earlier in my career, I led technical and legal work in refugee protection settings with the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) and Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC). I delivered technical leadership across protection, case management, community-based protection, and legal aid—driving strategy, building technical tools, and helping deliver results with high SOP compliance and strong on-time delivery.

I’ve also worked as a mediator and human rights professional, conducting fact-finding missions and producing evidence-based recommendations. Across roles, I’ve represented organizations in national/regional clusters, coordinated with partners and authorities, and translated complex legal and protection needs into practical guidance for vulnerable communities.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

Freelance Interpreter

Current

Choice Language Service Company

Apr 2026 - Present (2 months)

Provided Tigrinya and Amharic interpretation services for remote and community-based assignments while ensuring confidentiality and accuracy during interpretation sessions.

Freelance Interpreting Remote Interpretation Tigrinya Amharic Interpretation consecutive interpretation Confidentiality Accuracy Cultural Mediation

Current

Independent Contractor Interpreter

Current

International Rescue Committee

Jan 2026 - Present (5 months)

Provided Tigrinya/Amharic/English language support and interpretation for International Rescue Committee community programs, helping non-English-speaking clients access services while maintaining confidentiality and cultural mediation.

Tigrinya Amharic Interpretation Cultural Mediation Confidentiality client support Cross Cultural Communication Case Access Support

Technical Coordinator

Danish Refugee Council

Oct 2021 - Dec 2024 (3 years 2 months)

Developed DRC Ethiopia’s access to justice and peacebuilding strategy and tools, achieving 95% SOP compliance across seven regions. Designed logframe and theory of change (ToC) documentation and secured institutional funding from UN, EU, and SIDA with an 80% proposal success rate while ensuring 95% on-time project delivery.

Theories Of Change Proposal Development Case Management Community Based Protection

ICLA Project Officer

Norwegian Refugee Council

Oct 2019 - Oct 2021 (2 years)

Delivered legal counselling and representation to refugees on asylum, civil documentation, HLP rights, and access to national protection mechanisms. Coordinated with UNHCR and government bodies for civil registration and travel documents, conducted public legal education, and trained volunteers/paralegals on rights awareness and referral pathways.

HLP Rights UNHCR Coordination Legal Education Advocacy Documentation

Human Rights Mediator

Ethiopian Human Rights Commission

Feb 2018 - Oct 2021 (3 years 8 months)

Conducted human rights investigations and fact-finding missions and produced evidence-based reports with actionable recommendations. Facilitated mediation and alternative dispute resolution, provided legal guidance to vulnerable populations, and coordinated with local authorities and communities to address rights violations and protection risks.

Fact Finding Evidence Based Reports Médiation Dispute Resolution Legal Guidance Human Rights Frameworks Case Handling

Legal Advisor

Ethiopian Metal Engineering Corporation

Oct 2015 - Jan 2018 (2 years 3 months)

Drafted and reviewed contracts, procurement documents, and legal correspondence to ensure compliance with national laws and internal policies. Developed a procurement manual, delivered training on legal and anti-corruption standards, and provided legal oversight for procurement and vendor management processes.

Compliance Management Procurement Manual Development Training Delivery Contract Administration Vendor Management

Customer Service Officer

Ethiopian Shipping & Logistics Services Enterprise

Jan 2014 - Sep 2015 (1 year 8 months)

Managed documentation, customs clearance, and cargo movement for import shipments while supporting efficient service operations. Prepared operational performance reports and coordinated with customs, logistics staff, and clients to resolve shipment delays.

Customs Clearance Operational Reporting Logistics Coordination Process Improvement