Sign Language Specialist

Sign Language Specialist

At Wycliffe Bible Translators, your work is more than just a job. As a Sign Language Specialist, you'll be responsible for participating in the Global Partnerships Sign Language Network, serving as a Field Coordinator leading the development and management of Bible translation projects as assigned, and serving Deaf organizations as an Organizational Strengthening Consultant. This role requires building strategic partnerships with local and international organizations, overseeing all aspects of project implementation, and ensuring clear, effective communication among stakeholders. Your contributions will play a pivotal role in advancing Bible translation goals and empowering Deaf communities to access the Bible in their sign language.

You'll partner with Global Partnerships Engagement leadership and other team members to:

• Serve the Church Being inspired and directed by the Church, responding to what God is calling the Church to do and reflecting the body of Christ working interdependently rather than independently.
• Investing in Sustainability Strengthening local leadership, governance and financial capacity so Bible translation movements are locally owned, spiritually vibrant and operationally resilient for generations to come.
• Achieve All Access Goals 2033 That by the year 2033: 95% of all people will have access to a complete Bible. 99.9% of all people will have access to a New Testament. 100% of all people will have access to at least a portion of the Scriptures.

Responsibilities

You'll make an impact as you:

• Faithfully and regularly pray for the ongoing work of Bible translation and for people from around the world to experience transformation.
• Act as an organizational representative presenting the global ministry of Wycliffe and encouraging interested individuals, organizations and churches to participate in the work of Bible translation.
• Live out the conviction that "work flows through relationship" by passionately "loving God and loving people" through word and deed. Promote team and organizational culture standards, ensuring high customer service standards.
• Represent Global Partnership's vision, mission, values, and strategies with field partners.
• Work alongside the Global Partnerships Leadership and other team members to:
• Serve partner organizations in their Bible translation ministry by facilitating the development of projects aligned with Common Framework principles.
• Champion church ownership in translation projects by ensuring partners have the resources needed to accomplish their goals.
• Collaborate with partners to enhance Bible translation projects, resulting in a transformative impact on communities.
• Participate in the Global Partnerships Sign Language Network
• Build and cultivate partnerships with national organizations and churches by engaging in strategic planning with the Sign Language Network to align goals with Global Partnership's mission.
• Through the Sign Language Network, collaborate with Sign Language initiatives to support translation efforts for sign languages, ensuring resources meet unique community needs.
• In collaboration with the Sign Language Network and Areas teams, facilitate coordination and communication to ensure Sign Language field teams have the strategic direction they need.
• Serve as a Sign Language Field Coordinator
• Oversee the planning and execution of Bible translation projects, as assigned, ensuring alignment with the needs of Deaf communities.
• Monitor and evaluate project progress. Provide regular and timely reports on progress, highlighting significant milestones and opportunities to pray for projects. Review funding proposals and financial statements to communicate transformational impact to stakeholders.
• Develop and implement Familiarization, Internalization, and Articulation training programs to enhance the capacity of Bible translation partners.
• Serve as an Organizational Strengthening Consultant for Deaf Organizations
• Participate on the OSi team to support strengthening partner organizations' effectiveness and sustainability.
• Work with Deaf partners to assess organizational growth needs and develop work plans to address them.
• Facilitate training and workshops in support of organizational strategies.
• Develop competency in and contribute to the further development of the core OSi consulting curriculum and practices.
• Represent Wycliffe to promote global ministry efforts, upholding ethical standards that reflect biblical values and encouraging engagement from churches and individuals.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Global Partnerships Leadership team.

Other Requirements:

• Proficiency in American Sign Language (ASL). Demonstrates fluent communication skills in ASL, enabling effective engagement with Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals. Applies cultural understanding to build strong connections and facilitate inclusive communication within Sign Language communities.
• Adjust the work schedule as needed to accommodate meetings across time zones, including occasional early mornings and evenings.
• Ensure access to a strong, reliable internet and phone connection to support consistent communication and remote collaboration.
• Up to 25% domestic and international travel and remain updated on field security protocols relevant to travel assignments.

Minimum Skill Sets

• The requirements listed below represent the knowledge, skill and/or ability necessary to perform each duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the following essential functions:
• Spiritual Bona Fide Occupational Qualification (BFOQ): Demonstrates desire and ability to support corporate biblical and religious goals and participate in regular work-related spiritual activities without reservation as evidenced by your active participation and willingness to pray with and for others; be a consistent witness for Jesus Christ, maintaining a courteous, Christ-like attitude in all verbal and written, internal and external professional communications.
• Humility: Works well within a team by demonstrating Christ-like maturity and humility that gives appropriate credit to others where it is due. Willing to take ownership of shortcomings and faults, admit and own mistakes, receive correction or exhortation and remain teachable with a willingness to learn and grow.
• Serving Others: Works well with people, focusing on solving conflict using biblical principles, listening well to others, using emotional intelligence and developing God-honoring relationships. Accepts feedback and responsibility for own actions and follows through on commitments. Promotes positive people skills and service focus among staff by establishing customer service standards, training staff, monitoring customer satisfaction and maintaining healthy working relationships.
• Partnership: Skilled at establishing and nurturing collaborative partnerships. Demonstrates cultural awareness and sensitivity, effectively fostering cooperation by understanding and addressing diverse stakeholders' needs.
• Relationship Building: Effective at relationship-building with the ability to partner effectively within the department and with other directors and global teams. Works comfortably in both mono- or cross-cultural situations, winning cooperation through awareness and sensitivity to people's needs.
• Interpersonal Communication: Effective verbal and written communication skills with the ability to communicate ideas and win favor. Strong interpersonal skills in relating to people at all levels of positions and diverse backgrounds. Ability to relate well to others personally and professionally, easily building and maintaining relationships within the Global Partnerships Engagement team and other departments.
• Project Management: Ability to manage complex projects and staff responsibilities between multiple teams/departments while prioritizing and meeting deadlines to produce quality results under pressure. Executes projects with acute attention to detail and follow-through.
• Creativity and Innovation: Willing to adapt to changing policies and procedures and to recommend better ways of accomplishing the task when appropriate. Shows initiative to complete tasks and creatively problem-solve with a second-mile attitude.
• Adaptability: Adapts to changes in the work environment, including working with diverse individuals or groups. Modifies approach or methods to fit the situation. Remains flexible and composed when facing frequent change, delays or unexpected events.
• Problem Solving: Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills, with accuracy and attention to detail. Demonstrates good judgment with strong decision-making skills.
• Technical Skills:
• Proficient in programs such as Google Workspace (Mail, Calendar, Sheets, Docs, Drive, Slides, etc.) and video conferencing software such as Zoom; familiar with Workday HCM and Salesforce CRM.
• Experience in Hummingbird or other project management software is beneficial.
• Ability to quickly learn and apply new software, platforms and tools as needed.

Education & Experience

• A bachelor's degree in a related field is preferred.
• One to two years of experience in project coordination or management, ideally in a nonprofit, mission-driven, or international development context.
• Proven experience working with Deaf communities or familiarity with Sign Language translation processes is required.
• Experience building partnerships with local and international organizations, especially in multicultural or cross-cultural settings.
• Must have a thorough understanding of and enthusiasm towards Global Partnerships' vision, mission