Cultural Mediator for Arabic

Programme & Policy

Overview

Facilitate communication and cultural understanding for refugees and migrants.

You have:

• A minimum of three (3) years of relevant professional experience working with refugee and migrant children and families in the Balkans.
• Demonstrated cultural sensitivity and strong knowledge of the social, cultural, and community contexts of Arabic-speaking refugee and migrant populations.
• Understanding of child protection system – national, cantonal and preferably protection system functioning in emergencies – case management and referral pathways for children at risk.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; strong teamwork skillset.
• Ability to work under pressure, to manage and prioritize competing demands, and to meet strict deadlines with quality outputs.
• Strongly motivated by development and humanitarian work.
• Commitment to the aims and principles of Save the Children, the organizational mandate, and child safeguarding.
• Legal right to work in the office location is essential.
• Specific experience of working with vulnerable groups, including unaccompanied and separated children.
• Strong understanding of child protection in emergencies.

Important Notice: National candidates only

CONTRACT LENGTH: until December 31, 2026 with possible extension

Cultural Mediator for Arabic, Sarajevo Canton Based

Role:

As an Operations team member, the Cultural Mediator for Arabic plays a crucial role in fostering effective communication between children, adult refugees/migrants, and Save the Children staff or stakeholders. He/she offers translation/interpretation to ensure the accurate transmission of information. This role goes beyond mere language translation; it involves providing cultural insights, connecting with communities, and promoting mutual understanding despite various cultural, traditional, religious, gender, and other diversities.

The Cultural Mediator for Arabic also has significant Child Protection duties as he/she does initial identification of vulnerable refugee/migrant children and families (with a large focus on unaccompanied and separate children, gender-based violence and trafficking survivors), shares protection information, and liaises with relevant institutions and agencies to facilitate access to necessary services both inside and outside reception centres. He/she supports the provision of holistic support to children and adults and offers basic psychosocial support services. The Cultural Mediator is involved in outreach activities and, when required, circulates key spots outside reception centers where refugees and migrants gather, as well as squats, and other informal or semi-formal shelters in the entire Sarajevo Canton.

Essential

• A minimum of three (3) years of relevant professional experience working with refugee and migrant children and families in the Balkans.
• Demonstrated cultural sensitivity and strong knowledge of the social, cultural, and community contexts of Arabic-speaking refugee and migrant populations, with the ability to effectively bridge communication and understanding between beneficiaries and service providers.
• Understanding of child protection system – national, cantonal and preferably protection system functioning in emergencies – case management and referral pathways for children at risk.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; strong teamwork skillset.
• Ability to work under pressure, to manage and prioritize competing demands, and to meet strict deadlines with quality outputs;
• Strongly motivated by development and humanitarian work.
• Commitment to the aims and principles of Save the Children, the organizational mandate, and child safeguarding.
• Legal right to work in the office location is essential

Desirable

• Specific experience of working with vulnerable groups, including unaccompanied and separated children.
• Strong understanding of child protection in emergencies.

The Organisation

We employ approximately 25,000 people across the globe and work on the ground in over 100 countries to help children affected by crises, or those that need better healthcare, education and child protection. We also campaign and advocate at the highest levels to realise the right of children and to ensure their voices are heard.

We are working towards three breakthroughs in how the world treats children by 2030:

• No child dies from preventable causes before their 5th birthday
• All children learn from a quality basic education and that,
• Violence against children is no longer tolerated

We know that great people make a great organisation and that our employees play a crucial role in helping us achieve our ambitions for children. We value our people and offer a meaningful and rewarding career, along with a collaborative and inclusive environment where ambition, creativity, and integrity are highly valued.

Application Information:

Please attach a copy of your CV and cover letter with your application.

Location: Sarajevo Canton, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Expected start date: August 2026

We need to keep children safe so our selection process, which includes rigorous background checks, reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.

All employees are expected to carry out their duties in accordance with our global anti-harassment policy.

While we thank all the applicants for the expressed interest, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Save the Children does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.

Apply now

Potential interview questions

Added 4 hours ago - Updated 4 hours ago - Source: savethechildren.net