Roving Cultural Mediator

Introduction

The Danish Refugee Council assists refugees and internally displaced persons across the globe: we provide emergency aid, fight for their rights, and strengthen their opportunity for a brighter future. We work in conflict-affected areas, along the displacement routes, and in the countries where refugees settle. In cooperation with local communities, we strive for responsible and sustainable solutions. We work toward successful integration and – whenever possible – for the fulfillment of the wish to return home.

The Danish Refugee Council was founded in Denmark in 1956 and has since grown to become an international humanitarian organization with more than 7,000 staff and 8,000 volunteers. Based in Copenhagen (Denmark) and present in forty countries, the Danish Refugee Council is a non-profit-making, politically independent, non-governmental and non-denominational relief organization.

Our vision is a dignified life for all displaced. All our efforts are based on our value compass: humanity, respect, independence and neutrality, participation, and honesty and transparency.

Background

The Danish Refugee Council initiated its activities in the island of Lesvos in November 2015 due to the unprecedented influx of asylum seekers. Following new political developments and displacement dynamics in early 2016, DRC expanded its activities to the mainland to support the people living in several sites across the country. With offices in Athens, Larissa and Thessaloniki, it currently implements a wide range of activities, including Site Management Support, legal assistance, identification of individual needs and protection of highly vulnerable persons, access to services within and outside the hosting sites through cultural mediation, and non-formal education. DRC works closely with the refugee communities, the Greek authorities and other humanitarian actors to ensure a protective environment for refugees and asylum seekers in Greece

Purpose

Under the overall supervision of the Field Protection Manager, and in cooperation with the DRC protection staff, the Roving Cultural Mediator will accompany vulnerable asylum seekers and refugees to and from their places of residence to access medical, legal and other services in the Greek public sector. S/he will ensure safe and dignified access to medical, legal and other services, and provide translation and interpretation as well as culturally appropriate, correct, and smooth communication between the persons of concern and Greek service providers.

Duties & Responsibilities

The Roving Cultural Mediator responsibilities will include, but not necessarily be limited to, the following:

• In coordination with, and at the request of field protection staff, accompany asylum seekers and refugees via bus, metro or taxi from their place of residence to the service provider and back home again afterward if needed.
• Provide clear, understandable and culturally appropriate translation and interpretation services for asylum seekers, refugees and the service providers, as required.
• Support persons of concern to fully express and understand the information being exchanged and take written notes if needed.
• Ensure the confidentiality of the information is preserved and respected
• Provide backup support to the protection teams when not accompanying clients
• Other tasks as required by the Field Protection Manager to support the implementation of DRC’s activities

Required Qualifications

• Strong verbal and written English and/or Greek skills.
• Working knowledge of Kurdish (Sorani, Kurmanji/Badini), Arabic and/or Dari is mandatory.
• Knowledge of Farsi, Pashto or Urdu will be an advantage.
• Extensive vocabulary and ability to accurately translate complex ideas and information.
• Previous experience working with refugees, migrants and asylum seekers is necessary.
• Excellent interpersonal and teamwork skills, working with different groups, partners and nationalities.
• Ability to work with vulnerable individuals, from children to elderly.
• Commitment to humanitarian principles and values.
• Flexible, enthusiastic and willing to learn from others. 
• Experience working in a multi-cultural setting.
• Strong computer skills.

Required Skills and Qualities

• Core Competencies of DRC:
  • Striving for excellence
  • Collaboration
  • Taking the lead
  • Communication
  • Demonstrating Integrity
• Ability to work in a multinational and multicultural environment
• Good organizational skills to work autonomously and organize transportation for a variety of clients.
• Empathy combined with a genuine desire to improve the quality of the lives of service users.
• Ability to think on your feet and make decisions under pressure.
• General administrative skills .
• Ability to remain calm, in control and good humoured even under pressure.
• Flexibility to adapt to new roles, tasks and situations.
• Strong observation, analytical and listening skills.
• The capacity to understand and translate medical, legal and procedural information.
• The ability to negotiate, mediate and interpret on behalf of service users.
• Demonstrates integrity by modelling the DRC values and ethical standards.
• Strong analytical skills
• Proactivity, with a sound commitment to teamwork and with a spirit of genuine collaboration
• Strong initiative and self-motivated, with a strong commitment to humanitarian principle and high sense of ethics
• Excellent communication skills, as well as patience and politeness, are needed
• Ability to cope with high workload and stress and identify priority activities and assignments, and adjust priorities as required
• Multi-tasking and organizational skills are a must, and a good sense of humor

Terms & Conditions

• The contract will be under the Greek Labor Law (this is a national position)
• All allowances will be provided to the employees (Christmas, Easter, Vacation bonus)
• DRC provides training opportunities to develop and strengthen the quality of its services as well as its staff members’ professional and personal development.
• The position will be based in Larisa (Greece) and national terms and conditions apply

Application Process

Are you interested? Then apply for this position on line: www.drc.dk/about-drc/vacancies/current-vacancies. All applicants must send a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages). Both must be in English.

DRC provides equal opportunity in employment and prohibits discrimination in employment on the basis of race, sex, color, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability. DRC encourages all applicants to apply and does not practice any discrimination in any recruitment process. However, applicants must be aware that DRC cannot systemically sponsor non-EU citizen or non-Greek resident for all the steps of legal process to get a work permit and/or a residency permit in Greece.

Applications close on the 31st of January 2020. Applications submitted after this date will not be considered.

Due to the urgency of the position, DRC has the right to recruit a candidate who matches the required profile before the above deadline.