Intercultural Facilitator in Bengali - Roster creation

 About SOS MEDITERRANEE

SOS MEDITERRANEE is a civil European rescue association founded in 2015 to face the humanitarian tragedy and the lack of adequate state rescue capacity in the Mediterranean on the deadliest maritime migratory route in the world since 2014. Created by a group of European citizens, our maritime and humanitarian organisation has three missions:

1. To rescue people in distress at sea.

2. To protect and assist survivors on board our ship.

3. To bear witness and raise awareness about the tragedy unfolding in the central Mediterranean.

Today, SOS MEDITERRANEE is a network composed of four European entities (Germany, France, Italy, Switzerland) sharing the objective to support our rescue operations at sea. Search and Rescue (SAR) operations have been carried out since February 2016 in the Central Mediterranean off the Libyan coasts with the chartered ships Aquarius and Ocean Viking. To date, over 38.000 people have been rescued by SOS MEDITERRANEE.

SOS MEDITERRANEE is now looking to hire intercultural facilitators, in order to build a resilient pool of people who would be available to join our Post Rescue team onboard of the Ocean Viking.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Reporting to Medical & Protection Team Leader (MPTL), the Intercultural Facilitator in Bengali or Tigrinya enables communication with both rescued persons and other actors, the collection of key information and the identification of those needing further support and referral to appropriate services both onboard and on land.  

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES :

Strategy and protection activities

• Participate in the development of SOS MEDITERRANEE post-rescue strategy

• Act as a focal point for registration activities and for communication within the team 

• Refer people with medical needs to the medical team and support as necessary  

• Identify and report needs for further support including for protection issues  

• In collaboration with the post-rescue team members, identify and refer those in need of specialized support on land.  

• Provide continuous, relevant and accessible information to people on their situation, rights, expected processes, protection services and mechanisms

Care activities

• Support with the organisation of distributions 

• Ensure relevant information is transmitted and shared to survivors about services, activities and living measures in place on the vessel 

• Provide support for mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) activities onboard  

• Support the organisation of recreational activities for people, as per needs.

• Contribute to de-escalate tension and aggressive behaviors.

Communication

• Depending on language profile, provide translation for communication with various actors, like the Libyan coastguard, requiring precision and clarity for security reasons and to safeguard the operation, under the direct supervision of the Search and Rescue Coordinator (SARCo)  

• Contribute to the de-escalation of tension and aggressive behaviours on the deck  

• Ensure communication channels, feedback loop and methods for collecting survivor’s insights with regular monitoring, analysis and dissemination of findings.  

• Ensure complaints and feedback are appropriately directed and shared with team members following safeguarding policies (PSEA and child safeguarding).  

• Support in the collection of testimonies for the communications and advocacy departments. 

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS :

• This position is on board a ship and candidates must be physically fit and “seaworthy” having spent some time at sea (be aware that sea sickness can be significant)

• Space is limited on the ship and rooms will be shared with other colleagues with little to no personal space.

• Candidate must have effective coping skills to deal with stress during high intensity rescues.

• Due to the current context and several uncertainties, flexibility is necessary.

• Transit with rescued people on board may last longer than usual waiting for a place of safety.

• Candidates may be asked to participate in recording audio and video messages for the media.

Skills and qualifications required or desirable

• University Degree is desirable but not essential 

• Training in facilitation or cultural mediation and/ or interpretation is essential 

• Training in the administration of Psychological First Aid is essential 

• Ability to ensure sensitive working practices with vulnerable groups of people in line with confidentiality and privacy  

• Ability to ensure excellent communication, facilitation, and diplomacy across differing audiences including in times of heightened security risk 

• Ability to communicate with people in severe distress and in complex environments

• 2 years of previous experience in similar work  

• Previous experience in facilitation and interpretation with people on the move  

• Previous experience supporting people in complex environments and under severe distress 

• Experience in crowd management and conflict resolution within a humanitarian/ emergency response setting  

• Experience in maritime Search and Rescue is desirable  

• Fluency in spoken and written English and one or more of the following: Tigrinya, Bengali

IT/SI :

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office programs (good command of Excel) 

• Knowledge in the Kobo application is desirable   

Soft skills :

• Adaptability;  

• Autonomy;  

• Stress management skills;  

• Sense of initiative;  

• Ability to take some steps back; 

• Conflict resolution and mediation skill;   

• Ability to work in team;  

• Active listening;  

• Sense of confidentiality;  

• Ability to use non-violent communication;  

• Critical thinking

Terms of contract:

• Short term contract, for 6 to 8 weeks rotation onboard

• Ship-based position

• Europe-wide travel

• Salary : from 2.860 € gross according to the time spent on the OV

• Insurance on-board and off-board