Project Associate (Cultural Mediator)
Organizational Context
Established in 1951, IOM is a UN-related organization and the leading UN agency in migration. It promotes humane and orderly migration, saves lives, protects people on the move, and drives solutions to displacement. The role supports the Assistance Programme by facilitating communication and cultural mediation.
Job Purpose
The Project Associate (Cultural Mediator) supports the implementation of the Assistance Programme by facilitating communication and cultural mediation between IOM staff and Afghan evacuees. This role is crucial for ensuring effective dialogue, understanding, and support for individuals on the move. The incumbent will provide interpretation and translation services, assist with appointments, and contribute to intercultural understanding. By bridging communication gaps, the role directly contributes to the successful delivery of IOM's assistance and protection services, upholding humanitarian principles and ensuring the dignity and well-being of migrants.
Responsibilities
Provide interpretation services in Dari/Pashto and English for communication between IOM staff and Afghan evacuees. Accompany individuals to appointments, offering interpretation support. Conduct informal written translations from English to Dari/Pashto and vice versa, ensuring accuracy and meeting deadlines. Maintain confidentiality and data protection standards. Apply humanitarian principles and a gender, age, and diversity-sensitive approach in all duties. Contribute to intercultural understanding by organizing cultural awareness sessions. Utilize the SMART CAMP SYNC App for reporting and tracking appointments. Assist the Complaint and Feedback Mechanism team with interpretation and translation as needed. Perform other related duties as assigned.
Work Experience
Experience working with at-risk community members and individuals with specific needs. Experience in migration assistance, transit centers, or resettlement programs. Experience in a fast-paced, multicultural environment. Prior interpretation and/or translation experience is required.
Skills
Excellent translation and interpretation skills in target languages. Ability to draft and edit translations accurately. Strong interpersonal and communication skills in multicultural settings. Commitment to humanitarian principles. Proficiency in Microsoft Office. Flexibility to work beyond normal hours and on shifts.