Cultural Mediator/Project Assistant

Overview of the position
The Lagadikia Community Centre is a place for learning, social interaction and cultural exchange. The Community Centre offers English and Greek classes, an Employment Information Centre, skills-development workshops, and social and recreational activities. We are following a community inclusion approach, with the goal of building bridges between the refugee community and the local host community, and are planning to further develop this aspect by encouraging more community led projects and strengthening our volunteer programmes.

IHA is looking to recruit a full time Cultural Mediator/Project Assistant to start at the beginning of May 2024. The Cultural Mediator/Project Assistant is a fundamental part of our team, providing interpretation, cultural mediation, advice, and assisting the Project Manager in the management of the community centre and our volunteer teams. The Cultural Mediator/Project Assistant reports to the Project Manager, and works closely with the management and volunteer teams. The ideal candidate is intrinsically motivated, interested in learning, adaptable, passionate about the cause, and able to work in a challenging environment.

‍Key Responsibilities:

• Provide interpretation and cultural mediation between IHA’s team and community centre visitors
• Assist the Project Manager in the management of community centre activities, distributions, and international and community volunteer teams
• Assist the Project Manager in the management of Lagadikia Community Centre social media channels
• Identify/report gaps which IHA could fill in order to improve services and further meet the needs of the communities we work with
• Facilitate activities in the Lagadikia Community Centre as assigned by the Project Manager
• Attend relevant training as instructed by the Project Manager
• Attend meetings in order to participate in decision making processes and offer insight and guidance

Applicant Profile:
Required:

• Fluency in English
• Fluency in at least two of the following: (1) Farsi; (2) Turkish; (3) either Sorani, Badini or Kurmanji
• Willingness and motivation to learn and develop
• Highly sociable and comfortable communicating with all nationalities, ethnicities, genders and ages without discrimination or unequal treatment
• Excellent time management and organisational skills
• Strong team player
• Basic IT abilities; Whatsapp, Google Drive, Gmail
• Emotional, cultural and social intelligence
• Broad intercultural competence and ability to connect with and motivate people
• Experience volunteering or working with a grassroots/volunteer-run organisation in the context of migration and humanitarian support

Preferable:

• Additional language skills: Greek, Arabic, French

Our Offer

• An opportunity to work for an important and meaningful cause as part of a dedicated team
• 40-hour workweek Monday-Friday
• Stipend for living expenses
• Accommodation in IHA’s shared flat in the centre of Thessaloniki
• Work expenses covered: transportation to and from work, prepaid SIM card + top up. Additional allowance for time off expenses in case of extension (every 3 months when staying 6+ months)
• Initial commitment of 3 months (1 month notice period) with possibility of extension