Cultural Mediation and Community Engagement Coordinator

Job Posting Organization:
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is a leading intergovernmental organization established in 1951, dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. IOM has a mission to ensure the orderly and humane management of migration, to promote international cooperation on migration issues, to assist in the search for practical solutions to migration problems, and to provide humanitarian assistance to migrants in need. IOM operates in over 100 countries worldwide, with a workforce of more than 17,000 employees. In Ireland, IOM has been active since 2001, focusing on various aspects of migration management, including Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration, Resettlement, Family Reunification, Counter-Trafficking, Protection, Integration Support, and Mental Health and psychosocial-support" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Psychosocial Support (MHPSS).

Job Overview:
The Cultural Mediation and Community Engagement Coordinator will play a crucial role in supporting the implementation of community mobilization activities for international protection applicants residing in the Citywest accommodation centre. This position involves providing cultural mediation and interpretation support to facilitate communication between service providers and migrants, ensuring that interactions are conducted with neutrality, accuracy, and confidentiality. The incumbent will assist in the collection of routine information and data, support beneficiaries in accessing services, and help identify vulnerabilities among migrants. The role also includes conducting outreach activities to inform beneficiaries about available MHPSS services and providing interpretation assistance during mental health sessions. The position requires a proactive approach to community engagement and a commitment to improving the psychosocial well-being of migrants.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide cultural mediation and interpretation support to facilitate communication between service providers and migrants, ensuring neutrality and confidentiality.
• Assist IPAS staff in Citywest with verbal interpretation to support day-to-day communication with beneficiaries.
• Help collect routine information and data, and assist in case identification and referrals.
• Support beneficiaries in contacting service providers by providing impartial interpretation and mediation.
• Identify vulnerabilities among beneficiaries and refer them to the Senior Case Management Associate for further assistance.
• Collaborate with IOM partners to implement community engagement and awareness-raising activities, assisting with logistics and beneficiary outreach.
• Conduct outreach activities to inform beneficiaries about MHPSS services and scheduled activities.
• Provide interpretation assistance to mental health professionals during group and individual counselling sessions, including remote interpretation when necessary.
• Prepare routine documentation and submit reports to the Project Management Team regarding activities performed in Citywest. 1
• Undertake any other related tasks as required.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a high school diploma with five years of relevant experience, or a Bachelor’s degree in Communication, Social Sciences, International Relations, or related fields from an accredited institution with at least three years of relevant professional experience. Accredited institutions are those listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database. Completion of training in cultural mediation for mental health settings and competence in MHPSS specialized vocabulary is considered an asset. Experience in cultural mediation within the context of migrant assistance and previous work with international organizations, NGOs, EU Agencies, or Irish law enforcement or government departments is also advantageous.

Educational Background:
The educational requirements for this position include either a high school diploma with five years of relevant experience or a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as Communication, Social Sciences, or International Relations from an accredited academic institution. The degree must be from a recognized university listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database. This educational background is essential to ensure that the candidate possesses the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively engage with migrants and provide the required support.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of three years of relevant professional experience if they hold a Bachelor’s degree, or five years if they possess only a high school diploma. Experience in cultural mediation, particularly in mental health settings, is highly desirable. Familiarity with the procedures related to asylum applications in Ireland and previous experience working with international organizations, NGOs, or government departments will be beneficial. The ability to work effectively with migrants and asylum seekers, demonstrating empathy and emotional resilience, is crucial for this role.

Languages:
Fluency in English, both oral and written, is mandatory for this position. Additionally, fluency or mother tongue proficiency in Georgian is required. Knowledge of IOM’s official languages, which include French and Spanish, is considered an asset. Proficiency in the required languages will be evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments to ensure effective communication with beneficiaries.

Additional Notes:
This position is subject to local recruitment, and only candidates holding a valid residence and work permit for Ireland will be considered. The appointment will be contingent upon the candidate's medical fitness for the role, as well as verification of residency, visa, and other necessary authorizations. The selection process may also be used to fill similar positions in various duty stations, and recommended candidates will remain eligible for appointment in similar roles for a period of 24 months. IOM has a zero-tolerance policy regarding conduct that is incompatible with its objectives, including discrimination and harassment. The organization does not charge any fees during the recruitment process and only accepts applications submitted through its online recruitment system.