Background

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. Founded in 1933, the IRC offers lifesaving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster. At work today in over 50 countries, the IRC aims to restore safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted and struggling to endure.

Following a first assessment conducted in January 2017 in Italy and another one in July 2017, several critical protection gaps were identified within the assistance provided to refugees and migrants in Italy: mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS), assistance to unaccompanied children, information provision and legal support.

To respond to the identified gaps, IRC established a small presence in Italy. Programs in Italy include Refugee.Info, a web-based information platform, child protection programming targeting unaccompanied children and victims of trafficking, mentoring programs for the socio-economic inclusion of refugee youth, Women Protection and Empowerment (WPE), and education (social-emotional learning and healing classrooms).

Between April and December 2024 IRC Italia will work in a joint effort with UNHCR teams to provide support to persons of concerns in key disembarkation areas as well as in reception facilities and informal settlements in Sicily (including the island of Lampedusa) and Calabria.

Job Summary 

We are looking for a team of Cultural Mediators that will be part of a roving team composed by a Protection and Specific Needs Expert. The team will assist newly arrived people in Southern Italy, both in disembarkation points and in reception facilities. The candidates will provide not only cultural mediation services but also direct support and information sessions with a high degree of autonomy. Under the guidance of the Protection and Specific Needs expert, the cultural mediators will identify persons with specific needs and facilitate their referral to the relevant services available in each area.

The cultural mediators will also help with data collection and contribute to protection monitoring and assessment activities.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities 

• Under the guidance of the Protection and Specific Needs Expert and in coordination with UNHCR teams, conduct outreach activities in key disembarkation areas and reception centers to identify beneficiaries’ needs and vulnerabilities;

• Support the Protection and Specific Needs Expert in the identification of persons with specific needs including GBV survivors, UASC, children at risk and facilitate referral to relevant services with a specific focus on the GBV services available in the different territories;

• Provide cultural mediation during information provision sessions, both in groups and in 1 on 1 meetings with people in key disembarkation areas and in emergency reception centers;

• Under the guidance of the Protection and Specific Needs Expert, deliver up-to-date and accurate information on rights and responsibilities to the newly arrived persons, with a focus on the right to access asylum procedures prioritizing women, children and families, and using multilingual informative materials developed by UNHCR;
• Provide information to newly arrived persons on the available services according to their specific needs;
• Provide feedback on the information materials to the Protection and Specific Needs Expert in an effort to constantly adapt them to the needs of newly arrived people;
• Support the Protection and Specific Needs Expert in the delivery of psychological first aid (PFA) as needed;
• Support the Protection and Specific Needs Expert with updating the service mapping developed by the UNHCR team;
• Support protection monitoring activities by gathering the relevant data;
• Attend capacity building activities as needed;
• Any other task assigned by the line manager.

Reporting Lines

Position directly reports to: Program Manager, IRC Italy

Expected Travel 

These positions will be based in one of the four operative disembarkation border locations of Agrigento, Catania, Lampedusa or Reggio Calabria, with the expectation of regular travels throughout each respective catchment area to provide assistance during disembarkation procedures and within reception facilities.

REQUIREMENTS:

Languages required: Arabic/French – Dari/Pashto – French/Djoula/Susu

• Fluency in spoken and written, good command of Italian and English.
• Previous experience in cultural mediation/interpretation strongly preferred.
• Previous experience in providing information sessions to migrants and asylum seekers.
• Good knowledge of the Italian legal system linked to the international protection procedure.
• Previous experience in delivering psychological first aid and basic psychosocial support.
• Previous experience in working with GBV survivors and (presumed) victims of trafficking.
• Good knowledge of the survivor-centered, trauma-informed approach, child-centered approach.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook); ability to use the internet and other digital tools for data entry, research and problem-solving purposes.

• Valid driver’s license and access to a personal, insured vehicle.

• Predisposed to teamwork, problem solving, ability to create a proactive environment.
• Excellent communication and relational skills.
• Politically and culturally sensitive with qualities of patience, tact, and diplomacy

The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way – Standards for Professional Conduct.  These are Integrity, Service, Equality, and Accountability.  In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.

Commitment to Gender, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion: IRC is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, respectful, and safe work environment where all persons are treated fairly, with dignity and respect. The IRC expressly prohibits and will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or bullying of IRC Persons in any work setting.

Equal Opportunity Employer: IRC is an equal opportunity employer, and we value diversity and inclusion. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, nationality, ethnicity or tribe, gender, age, religion, caste, sexual orientation, differently abled, geographic origin, marital status, veteran status, and cultural background (or any other characteristic protected by law). We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.