Cultural Mediation Associate (Somali)

Job Posting Organization:
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) was established in 1951 and is a Related Organization of the United Nations. It is the leading UN agency in the field of migration, working closely with governmental, intergovernmental, and non-governmental partners to promote humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. IOM's mission includes saving lives and protecting people on the move, driving solutions to displacement, and facilitating pathways for regular migration. The organization provides services and advice to governments and migrants, and is committed to fostering a respectful, inclusive, and supportive workplace where all employees can thrive professionally and feel valued. IOM operates in numerous countries worldwide, focusing on various aspects of migration management, including mental health and psychosocial-support" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">psychosocial support, integration, and protection services.

Job Overview:
The Cultural Mediation Associate will play a crucial role in supporting the implementation of activities related to community mobilization for international protection applicants hosted in the Citywest accommodation centre. The incumbent will provide cultural mediation and interpretation support, facilitating communication between service providers and migrants, ensuring that interactions are conducted with neutrality, accuracy, and confidentiality. This position requires the ability to assist with day-to-day communication, support beneficiaries in contacting service providers, and identify vulnerabilities among migrants. The role also involves conducting outreach activities to inform beneficiaries about available mental health and psychosocial support services, and providing interpretation assistance during counseling sessions and psycho-education activities. The Cultural Mediation Associate will be expected to prepare routine documentation and reports related to the project, contributing to the overall effectiveness of IOM's mission in Ireland.

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.
• Conduct interpretation during the collection of 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.
• Assist IOM partners in implementing community engagement and awareness-raising activities, including 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 counseling sessions, including remote interpretation when necessary.
• Prepare routine documentation and submit reports to the Project Management Team on activities performed in Citywest. 1
• Perform 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. 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, as well as previous work with international organizations, NGOs, EU Agencies, or Irish law enforcement or government departments, is also advantageous.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a high school diploma or a Bachelor’s degree in relevant fields such as Communication, Social Sciences, or International Relations from an accredited academic institution. Accredited universities are those listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database. Candidates with a high school diploma must have five years of relevant experience, while those with a Bachelor’s degree must have at least three years of relevant professional experience.

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 a high school diploma. Experience in cultural mediation, particularly in mental health settings, is highly desirable. Previous experience working with international organizations, NGOs, or government departments in Ireland is also beneficial. Candidates should demonstrate the ability to work effectively with migrants and asylum seekers, showcasing interpersonal skills such as empathy and emotional resilience.

Languages:
Fluency in English (oral and written) is mandatory for all IOM staff members. For this specific position, fluency or mother tongue proficiency in Somali is also required. The proficiency of the required languages will be evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.

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 contract duration may be shorter than the period mentioned in the advertisement to align with the expiry date of the work permit. IOM has a zero-tolerance policy regarding conduct incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations, including discrimination and harassment. The selection process may be used to staff similar positions in various duty stations, and recommended candidates will remain eligible for appointment in similar roles for a period of 24 months. Candidates must be medically fit for appointment and meet any residency or visa requirements.