GENERAL BACKGROUND

Danish Refugee Council, one of the world’s leading humanitarian NGOs, is currently looking for a highly qualified and motivated Translator Cultural Mediator who will has the responsibility for translation and interpretation services to ensure appropriate, correct and smooth communication between Persons of Concern (PoC) and DRC staff.

About the job

DRC re-opened its mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina in Late July 2018 aiming at supporting the BiH Authorities in managing the migration crisis in the country. Danish Refugee Council (DRC) has been working in Bosnia and Herzegovina since 1992 and closed its office in the country at the end of January 2010 after 18 years. In July 2018 DRC re-opened its mission responding to increasing and priority needs of Person of Concern (PoCs) in close cooperation with the BiH Authorities. More specifically DRC BiH focuses on improving the access to primary and secondary health care including psychosocial and mental health services to PoCs, as well as on enhancing the overall protective environment for PoCs, with particular focus on case management in SGBV, and timely outreach response to rights violations at the borders. DRC has main office in Sarajevo and activities implemented in Una-Sana, Herzegovina- Neretva, Sarajevo and Tuzla Canton.

Position: Translator Cultural Mediator (for Arabic)

Duty Station: Bihać, USC (Una Sana Canton)

Period of engagement: contingent on donor funding

Basic functions: Translator Cultural Mediator Arabic will provide translation and interpretation services to ensure appropriate, correct and smooth communication between Persons of Concern (PoC) in both temporary reception centres in out-of-sites and DRC staff.

Reference: Translator Cultural Mediator refers to the Health Team Leader and working in close coordination with the other members of the DRC team.

Specific duties and responsibilities:

• to provide translation and interpretation services from the Arabic language into English or the Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian languages and vice versa to ensure
• appropriate, correct and smooth communication between Persons of Concern (PoC) and DRC personnel and other relevant stakeholders in both temporary reception centres and outside of centres.
• to provide precise interpretation/(written)translation services facilitating communication between DRC Health staff / other service providers and stakeholders and Persons of Concern (refugees, migrants and asylum seekers) in both temporary reception centres and out-of-sites;
• to organize, directly or in support of DRC staff information and counseling sessions (individual and group) to refugees/migrants and asylum seekers;
• to perform cultural mediation activities and support DRC staff in understanding specific aspects of the cultural background of PoCs with the aim to improve quality of DRC’s services;
• to secure mutual understanding between DRC staff and refugees/ migrants and potential asylum seekers and ensure that main diversities as regards culture, traditions, religion, age, gender and other diversities are given adequate attention and consideration in order to build necessary trust with PoCs and maximize effects of counseling/information activity;
• to contribute to continuous advocacy for increased communications with PoCs throughout DRC units, duty bearers and other humanitarian actors;
• to engage in communication with communities and provide information to medical teams in terms of further activities, needs and gaps;
• to fulfil a variety of data entry tasks in English including entering data into KoBo tools such as inquiry tracking, quick tool, satisfactory survey, vaccination survey among others and to provide assistance with conducting surveys when needed;
• to assist with medical escorts of PoCs to PHC/SHC or other relevant health institution, while providing both sides with translation, medical staff at hospital and beneficiary
• to provide additional support for specific medical cases, minorities, disabled persons, vulnerable persons, elderly persons in terms of social support
• to visit hospitalized patients based on need, and support in terms of delivering medical NFIs packages, providing information to the patient about health condition (according to the doctor’s information), raising awareness of importance of completing the started treatment
• to assist health in day-to-day activities such as screenings, examinations, health awareness, community engagement, etc.
• to report any potential protection/health issues/risks to the line manager identified in communication with the beneficiaries.
• to respect confidentiality of any sensitive information and adhere to the DRC Code of Conduct;
• to perform other tasks as required by DRC Health staff and Team Leaders

Qualifications & experience required

• Arabic language diploma or native speaker;
• Ability to work in challenging environment, assess the situation and carry out immediate actions;
• Experience on refugee/migration related issues would be an asset

Work experience:

• Minimum of 1 year of relevant job experience

Key Competencies

• Ability to behave in the manner consistent with human rights obligations;
• Fluency in spoken and written BCS (Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian) and English;
• Computer literacy (Microsoft Word and Excel);
• Valid driving license, high level of professionalism evidence by clear driver’s record;

In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRC’ five core competencies:

• Striving for excellence: You focus on reaching results while ensuring an efficient process.
• Collaborating: You involve relevant parties and encourage feedback.
• Taking the lead: You take ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation.
• Communicating: You listen and speak effectively and honestly.
• Demonstrating integrity: You act in line with DRC’s vision and values.