Cultural Mediation and Community Engagement Coordinator

Job Posting Organization:
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is a leading intergovernmental organization dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. Established in 1951, IOM has grown to encompass 173 member states and operates in over 100 countries worldwide. The organization focuses on various aspects of migration management, including migration health, humanitarian assistance, and integration support. IOM Ireland has been active since 2001, addressing migration issues through programs such as Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration, Resettlement, Family Reunification, Counter-Trafficking, 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 activities related to community mobilization for international protection applicants residing in the Citywest accommodation centre. This position involves providing cultural mediation and interpretation support, facilitating communication between service providers and migrants, and ensuring that interactions are conducted with neutrality, accuracy, and confidentiality. The incumbent will assist in identifying vulnerabilities among beneficiaries and refer them to appropriate case management services. The role also includes conducting outreach activities to inform beneficiaries about available MHPSS services and supporting the logistics of community engagement initiatives. The Coordinator will work closely with mental health professionals to provide interpretation during counseling sessions and will be responsible for preparing documentation and reports related to the project.

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 daily communication with beneficiaries.
• Support the collection of routine information and data through interpretation during case identification and referrals.
• Help beneficiaries contact service providers by offering impartial interpretation and mediation support.
• 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 in coordination with the MHPSS team.
• Provide interpretation assistance during group and individual counseling sessions, focus group discussions, and psycho-education activities, 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 by the supervisor.

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 universities are those listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database. Completion of training in cultural mediation for mental health settings and familiarity with 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 accompanied by five years of relevant experience or a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as Communication, Social Sciences, or International Relations. The degree must be from an accredited academic institution recognized by the UNESCO World Higher Education Database. Candidates with additional training in cultural mediation, particularly in mental health contexts, will be viewed favorably.

Experience:
The position requires candidates to 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 the context of assisting migrants, is essential. Previous involvement with international organizations, NGOs, or governmental bodies, especially in roles related to migration or mental health, will be beneficial. Familiarity with the asylum application procedures in Ireland is also important.

Languages:
Fluency in English, both oral and written, is mandatory for this position. Additionally, fluency or mother tongue proficiency in Arabic is required. Knowledge of IOM’s official languages, which include English, French, and Spanish, is advantageous. Language proficiency will be evaluated during the selection process, which may include both written and oral assessments.

Additional Notes:
This position is subject to local recruitment, meaning only candidates with a valid residence and work permit for Ireland will be considered. The appointment will be contingent upon medical fitness certification, verification of residency, visa, and any necessary governmental 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 maintains a zero-tolerance policy regarding conduct that contradicts 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.