Interpreter Cultural Mediator

Interpreter Cultural Mediator

Danish Refugee Council, one of the world’s leading humanitarian NGOs, is currently looking for a qualified and motivated qualified and motivated Interpreter Cultural Mediator.

The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a leading protection agency with a mandate to promote and protect durable solutions to conflict and displacement affected populations based on humanitarian principles and human rights. DRC is implementing a multi-sector response to support Ukraine refugees, IDPs, and host populations both within Ukraine and the neighboring countries of Poland, Romania and Moldova, and wider Europe.

Due to the ongoing conflict that began in February 2022, DRC opened offices in Poland, Moldova, and Romania to provide support to the displaced population in partnership with civil society organizations and national NGOs, duty bearers, and other actors. DRC continues to implement in these three countries through partnerships, technical assistance and capacity exchange, and direct implementation in some cases.

Overall purpose of the role:

The primary objective of the Interpreter Cultural Mediator’s role within the Terms of Reference (ToR) is to provide interpretation during the Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices (KAP) survey on hygiene and operation and maintenance which will be implemented in 125 schools in Moldova. More specifically, the interpretation will be delivered during the key informants interviews (KII) and Focus Group Discussions (FGD) which cannot be run in the Romanian language, but rather in Ukrainian, ensuring that all cultural nuances in interviews are sensitively navigated and further fostering a more accurate and culturally responsive inputs for data analysis and KAP report. Interpreter Cultural Mediator will be facilitating the work of DRC WASH Teams comprising Community Engagement and Hygiene Promotion Officers, as well as WASH Environmental Engineers in their direct communication with interviewees (schoolchildren, teaching and administrative staff) in schools in Moldova.

Scope of Action:

The KAP survey in schools covers WASH, including Menstrual Health and Hygiene, its management, operation/maintenance of infrastructures and provides recommendations on how the WASH interventions improve the quality of education, as well as recommend for the sustainability of WASH services. The KAP survey will be conducted in 125 schools in Moldova. Data gathering (qualitative) and analysis will be realised through key informant interviews (KII) and focus groups discussions (FGD) with a sample size of 355 schoolchildren, teaching and administrative staff in Moldovan schools.

Responsibilities:

• Provide precise and culturally sensitive interpretation from Ukrainian into Romanian or English in support of the DRC WASH teams in the course of individual or group information and/or survey sessions;
• Support the DRC WASH teams in conducting the KAP sessions (individual and group) with schoolchildren, teaching and administrative staff in schools;
• Secure understanding between DRC WASH teams and interviewees 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 during the interviews or focus group discussions;
• Provide interpretation between DRC national and international staff, as well as international staff and national and local authorities, need based;
• Facilitate information provision through in person sessions (individual and group);
• Provide interpretation applying the principles of accuracy, confidentiality, and impartiality at all times;
• Provide clear, understandable, and culturally appropriate interpretation services for interviewees and service providers, as required;
• Translate assessment tools, meeting minutes and other documents, incl. reports from Ukrainian to Romanian and English and vice versa;
• Be ready to be part of a mobile WASH team or be deployed as needed;
• Respond to ad hoc and urgent requests for interpretation upon coordination with the line manager;
• Participate in trainings and interpret training materials/tools, communications, etc;
• Any other duties as may be assigned by the line manager relevant to the achievement of DRC’s objectives and/or activities;
• Ensure the observance of the DRC Code of Conduct including PSEA mechanisms, throughout activity implementation;
• Respect confidentiality of any sensitive information and adhere to the DRC Code of Conduct.

Qualifications required

• University degree – the Ukrainian language proficiency or native speaking with proven experience in the domain
• Minimum 1 year of experience in a similar role, preferably working for an INGO or UN
• Fluency in local language
• Excellent command of English – spoken and written
• previous proven experience in the domain
• Experience on refugee/displacement related issues would be an asset
• High professional ethics and understanding of the policy of confidentiality
• Ability to behave in a manner consistent with human rights obligations
• Strong interpersonal, communication and negotiation skills.
• Strong facilitation skills, building communication with national and local stakeholders
• Commitment to learning and implementing organizational policies and procedures.
• 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: Upholding and promoting the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to DRC’s values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.

Education:

University degree – the Ukrainian language proficiency or native speaking with proven experience in the domain; other University degree with social sciences, with proven proficiency in the Ukrainian language;

Languages:

Ukrainian – proficient (essential)

Romanian – proficient (essential)

English – advanced (essential)

Russian – intermediary (desirable)

We Offer:

Contract length: 3 months

Band: Non-Management, H

Start date: 15.01.2024