Project Assistant (cultural Mediation)

Organizational Context

The Project Assistant (Cultural Mediation) role is situated within IOM, reporting to the Director, Coordination Office for the Mediterranean, Chief of Mission in Italy and Malta, and Representative to the Holy See, with direct supervision from the Labour Exploitation Expert and Project Manager. This position supports the ALT Caporalato T.R.E. project, which aims to facilitate outreach to migrants and overcome linguistic barriers during inspections and information sessions in Italy.

Job Purpose

The Project Assistant (Cultural Mediation) provides essential clerical and language support to the ALT Caporalato T.R.E. project. This role is crucial for facilitating effective outreach to migrants and ensuring clear communication during labour inspections and information sessions, thereby overcoming significant linguistic barriers. The incumbent contributes directly to the project's objective of combating labour exploitation among migrants by enabling impartial cultural mediation. This involves assisting project staff in disseminating vital information on national laws, administrative procedures related to recruitment, irregular work, and trafficking in persons. Furthermore, the role supports awareness-raising activities on protection mechanisms for victims, ensuring vulnerable populations are informed and protected. By facilitating communication and understanding, the Project Assistant plays a key role in enhancing the effectiveness of inspection taskforces and promoting the rights and safety of migrants in Italy.

Responsibilities

The Project Assistant is primarily responsible for providing impartial cultural and language mediation support to the Territorial Labour Inspectorates. This critical function occurs during labour inspections, outreach activities, and information sessions, specifically aimed at combating migrants’ labour exploitation. The incumbent facilitates clear and effective communication between inspection teams and migrants, ensuring mutual understanding and trust in a sensitive context. A key duty involves supporting project staff in the provision of general information on national laws and administrative procedures related to recruitment, irregular work, labour exploitation, and trafficking in persons. This includes contributing significantly to awareness-raising activities that highlight protection mechanisms for victims of labour exploitation and/or trafficking, thereby empowering vulnerable individuals with essential knowledge. Furthermore, the Project Assistant actively assists inspection taskforces by accompanying teams to various sites within the area of competence, facilitating direct communication with migrants on the ground. The role also requires providing comprehensive language support during all outreach activities, inspections, and meetings, consistently maintaining strict impartiality to ensure fairness. Finally, the incumbent performs any other related clerical duties as assigned, such as documentation, record-keeping, and logistical support, ensuring efficient administrative and operational project support.

Work Experience

Required experience includes clerical or administrative support functions, such as filing, record-keeping, or data entry. Experience in cultural mediation, especially with migrants or vulnerable groups, is considered an advantage. Prior experience supporting community-based initiatives, international organizations, NGOs, or EU Agencies is also an asset.

Skills

Ability to provide clear and impartial cultural mediation between Italian and migrants’ mother tongues. Good organizational skills for handling clerical tasks, including documentation and logistical support. Strong interpersonal skills to communicate effectively and respectfully with people from diverse cultural backgrounds. A valid driving licence is required.

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