Cultural Mediator Officer

Contract

This is a UNV International Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as International UN Volunteer. It is normally internationally recruited only. More about UNV International Specialist contracts.

Mission and objectives

WHO Country Office is the focal point for WHO activities in Romania. It was established in January 1991 in Bucharest in order to carry out a series of priority activities. The priorities for the Country Office are set out in the biennial collaborative agreement between WHO/Europe and the host country, and the Office implements the agreement in close collaboration with national institutions and international partner agencies in addition to response to Ukraine emergency.

Context

WHO is a specialized agency of the United Nations that was established in July 1948 and whose objective is the attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level of health. WHO’s primary role is to direct and coordinate international health within the United Nations system. WHO’s main areas of work are health systems; health through the life-course; noncommunicable and communicable diseases; preparedness, surveillance and response; and corporate services.

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of Representative or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UNV will:

• Providing specialized interpreting and acting as linguistic agent, system agent, community agent and integration agent to support essential mental health professionals delivering services in refugee settings and in community. • Conducting peers outreach activities in the refugees’ communities to support delivery of MHPSS services. • Facilitating the activities of the MHPSS specialists in services delivery. • Act as a contact person for the refugee community addressing refugee settings when access services. • Provide cultural and basic psychosocial first aid support and training in Ukrainian or Russian to refugees in various settings (refugees integrated centers, blue dots etc.) • Foster capacity building around MHPSS for WHO staff, partner staff and refugee workers, e.g. community health workers, peer educators, peer counsellors, refugee outreach volunteers. • Provide support to the MHPSS sector partners for development of cultural sensitive training plans and materials, organize and act as resource person in workshops and training both in-service and on the job (coaching). • In collaboration with Ministry of Health, build basic psychosocial skills among all essential workers responding to crisis response in refugee settings. • Promote programme evaluation and applied research around MHPSS interventions to enable identification of gaps in service provision and to promote evidence-based programming. • Promote the use of community-based approaches, including clear involvement of persons of concern (PoC) in MHPSS programmes. • Ensure regular update and share information within WHO as well as with relevant government, UN and NGO counterparts and donors. • The UNV Peer Support Facilitator activity supervised by clinical psychologist • Perform other related duties as required. Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor. • All the activities will be conducted under the supervision of the Senior Clinical Psychologist/ WHO CO MHPSS Consultant.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities:

• Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day); • Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country; • Provide annual and end of assignment self-reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities.
• Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.; • Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers; • Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

Results/expected outputs:

• As an active WHO Country Office team member, efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high-quality support rendered to WHO Country Office and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including: Results/Outputs can be modified as appropriate; should not entirely mirror the task description but serve as a basis for workplan and deliverables] • Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment • A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for peace and development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed.

• Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to WHO Country Office Romania; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to WHO CO procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented; • Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and WHO CO Romania in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority; • Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues; • Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment. • Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities; • Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups; • Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary; • Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards WHO CO Romania’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

psychological support, or other relevant programmes (at the national and/or international level); experience with psychological support in war/calamity zone is an asset, as is experience working in the UN or other international development organization. • Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills; • Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing; • Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development; • Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel; • Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment; • Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines; • Desirable: valid national driver’s license and proven ability to drive manual gear 4x4 over rough terrain;
• Sound security awareness; • Have affinity with or interest in Romania, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System.

As this is a international UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials.

Romania is located in a temperate climate zone having 4 seasons (spring, summer, autumn and winter). Winters are becoming milder with average temperatures around -2 centigrade on average during the daytime. Summers are hot, occasionally reaching around 35 centigrade, especially in July and August.

Accommodation is relatively easy to find although more challenging in the last few months; short-, mid- and long-term. Accommodation can be fixed using the services of property agencies but online solutions are also numerous.

Conditions of Service for international UN Volunteers

The contract lasts for the period indicated above with possibility of extensions subject to availability of funding, operational necessity and satisfactory performance. However, there is no expectation of renewal of the assignment. Travel to duty station (if applicable) and a Settling-In-Grant will be provided in the event the duty station is not within commuting distance from the place of recruitment. The applicable Volunteer Living Allowance is provided monthly to cover housing, utilities and normal cost of living expenses. Life, health and permanent disability insurance are included (health insurance for up to 3 dependents), as well as final repatriation (if applicable) and resettlement allowance for satisfactory service.