Cultural Mediator (for Persian/Punjabi/Urdu/Pashto/Kurdish) (m/f)

About the job

MdM-BE has been providing medico-psychosocial healthcare to asylum seekers in Croatia since August 2016. Based on this experience, the organisation decided to deploy its activities to Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) beginning in May 2019. As implementing partner of United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), MdM-BE supports women and girls on the move through the provision of mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS), sexual and reproductive health (SRH) and gender-based violence (GBV) services in Centers for women and girls (CWG). These CWG are based inside of four temporary reception centres (TRCs) that are temporarily accommodating refugees and migrants passing through the Una Sana Canton (USC) area and Sarajevo Canton. From October 2019, MdM-BE started to enhance its presence in the country through by expanding its programme to include Mental Health & Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) services in four transit reception centres (TRCs) in Una Sana Canton and one temporary reception centre in Sarajevo Canton (from end – November 2019).For that purpose, MdM-BE is looking for Cultural mediators (for Persian/Punjabi/Urdu/Pashto/Kurdish) in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Place of work: Sarajevo or Una Sana canton

Period of engagement: December – May 2020

Basic functions: Cultural Mediator (for Persian/Punjabi/Urdu/Pashto/Kurdish) provides translation into English or Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian languages in support of the MdM project team, facilitating communication with Persons of Concern; and supports all MHPSS activities conducted by MdM-BE staff in TRC. 

Cultural Mediator is under the direct responsibility of the Field coordinator Bosnia and Herzegovina and Programme Manager. He/she works in close cooperation with psychologist and social worker/pedagogist.

Specific duties and responsibilities:

• Translation
• Translation from Persian/Punjabi/Urdu/Pashto/Kurdish to English/BHS and vice versa of all relevant (MHPSS) activities organized by MdM in TRC including: empowerment activities (creative, recreational, teaching, etc.), awareness/psychoeducational group sessions; individual psychosocial support activities in TRCs (first consultation, psychosocial support (PSS) or counselling session, follow-up, crisis intervention, etc.); referrals (if needed).
• Translation of documents, public information products and other MdM-BE written materials.
• Empowerment activities
• Provide direct support to all team members in organizing empowerment activities in TRC with a focus on specialized help to vulnerable persons
• Supporting organisation and facilitation of empowerment activities
• Supporting preparation and organisation/conduction of psychoeducational groupe sessions (especially by outreaching persons in TRC/informing them about sessions).

Other duties and tasks

• reporting on activities carried out on a weekly and monthly basis

Cultural Mediator for Persian/Punjabi/Urdu/Pashto/Kurdish must respect code of ethics adhering to principles of confidentiality and impartiality; as well as MDM-BE Charter of values.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Language diploma or native speaker
• Ability to work in challenging environment, assess the situation and carry out immediate actions
• Prior experience in translation/interpretation preferably with non-governmental or international organisations is an asset
• Previous experience with vulnerable groups and/or migrants and/or access to healthcare is an asset.
• Previous experience in translation of MHPSS activities is a distinctive asset.

Work Experience

• Minimum of 1 year of relevant job experience
• Key competencies and other skills:
• Excellent writing and oral skills.
• Ability to handle effectively multiple tasks without compromising quality, team spirit and positive working relationships.
• Ability to work autonomously and to work under pressure.
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.
• Fulfilling all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment.
• Driving licence “B” category would be an asset.
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.).

Application process

All applicants should send a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages) in English via option

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