Your job
As an Intercultural Mediator (ICM), you will make the link between MSF and the persons of different cultural and linguistic background we assist. Your main responsibility is to guarantee clarity and precision in the communication between all actors.
Communication is your first role, between the MSF teams and the rescued persons as well with external stakeholders at sea. Supporting intercultural awareness, sensitiveness and clear communication between the parties, providing quality and culturally sensitive interpretation between the parties.
In close collaboration with the logistics staff on board, you play a key role to deliver messages related to security and in order to safeguard effective operations, by providing information related to the life on board is disseminated and ensure that safety is ensured for all.
You will facilitate the relation between rescued persons and the MSF team. In particular, you will collaborate with the Humanitarian Officer to collect and transcribe testimonies and collect data. You will also support the medical team by referring people with medical complaints to the medical team and support with intercultural mediation and linguistic interpretation.
Finally, you will work and live on a ship with limited privacy and take part in the daily tasks that are required on a ship (e.g. preparation of the rescue material, training, cleaning, painting, deck-work, etc.).
Requirements
- Essential secondary education. Desirable degree in social sciences, social communication or teaching
- Minimum two years’ experience in similar position, preferably in provision of medical services and/or with NGOs, with refugee organizations or immigration such as advocacy, campaign and public engagement
- Optimal verbal and written communications skills
- Mother tongue/C2 level in Arabic
- Proficiency in English (minimum C1)
- Ability to cope with stressful situations
- High flexibility and ability to work under stress
- Work experience within a medical organization is a strong asset
Assets
- Training in intercultural mediation or interpretation, in particular with NGOs and health care services
- In addition to the above mandatory languages, desirable proficiency one of the following languages: French, Tigrinya, Amharic, Bengla
- STWC certification
- Experience at sea / sailing
- Experience of crowd control, psychological first aid, distribution
Please note that we only take up applications that meet all of the above requirements
The following documents will be requested in the application process:
- Your most recent English CV not exceeding 3 pages
- A cover letter explaining your motivation to work with MSF
- A clear scan of your relevant diploma's and certificates
- If you are currently or recently have been working for MSF (up to a year ago), we might request to upload a recommendation letter for expatriation from your HRCo, Head of Mission or other staff in a coordinating position and include two of your most recent MSF evaluations
Before you apply
Interested I working with Médecins Sans Frontières, but still have a lot of questions you need answered? Join one of our information meetings or webinars!
What's it like working with MSF?
In most projects you'll be living and working in stressful conditions without many of the things you may take for granted at home.
Read more about Work and life in the field.
Your safety and security
When working for us you might experience dangerous situations, such as confrontations with armed men, looting and theft, or violent clashes between armed groups. We take safety and security seriously. Read more about our safety precautions.