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, and Integration Support.

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 all interactions are conducted with neutrality, accuracy, and confidentiality. The incumbent will work closely with the Chief of Mission, the Head of the MHPSS Unit, and the Senior Cultural Mediation Associate to enhance the psychosocial well-being of migrants and strengthen their resilience. The role requires a proactive approach to outreach and engagement with beneficiaries, ensuring they are informed about available services and activities.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide cultural mediation and interpretation support to facilitate communication between service providers and migrants, ensuring respect for neutrality and confidentiality.
• Assist IPAS staff in Citywest with verbal interpretation to support daily communication with beneficiaries.
• Aid in the collection of routine information and data, as well as case identification and referrals.
• Support beneficiaries in contacting service providers by offering 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 during group and individual counselling sessions, focus group discussions, and psycho-education activities.
• Prepare routine documentation and submit reports to the Project Management Team regarding activities performed. 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, along 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 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 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 related 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, ensuring that candidates have a solid academic foundation relevant to the role.

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 migrant assistance, is essential. Additionally, candidates with previous experience working with international organizations, NGOs, EU Agencies, or Irish government departments will be preferred. Training in cultural mediation for mental health settings is also beneficial, as it indicates familiarity with the specific needs of the migrant population.

Languages:
Fluency in English, both oral and written, is mandatory for this position. Additionally, candidates must have fluency or a mother tongue proficiency in Pashto or Urdu. Knowledge of IOM’s official languages, which include French and Spanish, is advantageous but not required. Language proficiency will be evaluated during the selection process, which may include both written and oral assessments to ensure candidates can effectively communicate in the required languages.

Additional Notes:
This position is subject to local recruitment, meaning only candidates holding a valid residence and work permit for Ireland will be considered. The appointment will be contingent upon certification of medical fitness, verification of residency, and any necessary government 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. Furthermore, IOM does not charge any fees during the recruitment process and only accepts applications submitted through its online recruitment system.