Sawsan Aldawodi
Sawsan Aldawodi

Senior Arabic Language Expert | Conference Interpreter | Localization Specialist

Open to offers · Member since 8 Sep 2026
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Location
Lake Villa, United States
Desired salary
Unspecified
Work preference
Remote Only / Full Time, Contract, Freelance
Experience level
Senior

About

Professional summary

I am a senior Arabic language expert, conference interpreter, translator, and localization specialist with more than 20 years of experience supporting international organizations, U.S. government agencies, and global conferences.

I specialize in English-Arabic simultaneous and consecutive interpretation, technical and policy translation, localization, transcreation, machine translation post-editing, and linguistic quality assurance. My work spans legal, medical, immigration, humanitarian, media, cybersecurity, internet governance, and digital infrastructure content.

As a head interpreter, I have led multilingual interpreter teams, coordinated scheduling and quality processes, and delivered language access services in demanding in-person and virtual conference environments.

I bring extensive experience working with executives, engineers, policymakers, government agencies, NGOs, law firms, universities, and refugee-serving organizations. I am also experienced in cross-cultural communication, case management, stakeholder engagement, and project coordination.

I am a U.S. citizen with active federal security clearances, including Top Secret and Public Trust clearances. Arabic is my native language, and I am fluent in professional English.

Skills

15 capabilities

Experience

Career history

Senior Arabic Language Expert & Head Interpreter ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers)

Delivered simultaneous and consecutive Arabic interpretation for more than 50 large-scale international technical conferences annually across global locations. Supported multilingual communication among executives, engineers, policymakers, and participants from more than 100 countries.

Led and coordinated multilingual interpreter teams, including scheduling, linguistic quality assurance, and professional standards compliance. Translated and localized technical content related to internet governance, cybersecurity, policy, and digital infrastructure.

Translated and subtitled ICANN historical and informational videos, including executive interviews totaling more than 12,000 words. Used conference interpretation technology and equipment to support both in-person and virtual events.

Freelance Arabic Translator, Interpreter & Cultural Consultant Independent

Provides Arabic translation, interpretation, localization, and cultural consulting services for legal, immigration, medical, human rights, and media-sector clients. Works with U.S. government agencies, law firms, universities, and international humanitarian organizations.

Serves as a contract translator for U.S. Department of State International Visitor Leadership Program materials. Translated PBS documentary content on Iraqi refugees and localized educational and government materials for U.S. agencies and NGOs.

Performs machine translation post-editing, transcription, editing, and linguistic quality assurance for multilingual content pipelines.

Bilingual Case Manager & Coordinator Jewish Vocational Service (JVS)

Managed comprehensive case files for refugee populations in coordination with HIAS, the New Jersey Department of Human Services, and the Office of Refugee Resettlement.

Facilitated medical, social, educational, and employment services for more than 100 refugee clients. Maintained accurate case documentation and compliance with federal contractual requirements.

Bilingual Case Manager International Rescue Committee (IRC)

Managed refugee cases in a fast-paced multicultural environment, including needs assessments, case tracking, referrals, and client advocacy.

Provided interpretation support during medical, social service, and government appointments for refugee clients.

Resource Center Director & Acting Regional Director America's Development Foundation (USAID)

Directed regional democracy and civil society development initiatives in Baghdad in a post-conflict environment under a USAID mandate.

Managed project implementation, monitoring and evaluation, grants administration, and stakeholder engagement with government and international agencies.

Consultant America's Development Foundation

Translated, reviewed, and edited multilingual training resources related to women's rights, civic education, and democracy initiatives.

Provided language and content consulting support for development-focused educational materials.

Case Director & Office Manager Iraqi Information Office, American University in Cairo

Coordinated refugee resettlement case preparation and advocacy services in Cairo, Egypt.

Worked with UNHCR and the International Organization for Migration to support refugee case processing and resettlement activities.

Instructor, Engineering, Management & Educational Leadership Roles Iraqi Government Ministries

Held progressive engineering, management, instructional, and educational leadership positions within Iraqi government ministries, including the Ministries of Education, Higher Education, and Labor and Social Affairs.

Served at vocational high school, technical institute, and College of Engineering levels, including Al Nahrain University and military industry-related roles.

Education

Learning history

University of Baghdad

Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Chemical Engineering

Completed a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering in Baghdad, Iraq.

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