Translator – Intercultural Mediator

Role purpose: ELIX is looking to hire a translator (Intercultural Mediator) to support the delivery of non-formal education classes to refugee and migrant children Lesvos. Experience in teaching mother tongue (Arabic, Farsi, Dari or French) is highly appreciated.

Duration: Contract duration will be five-six months, depending on the funding and ELIX organizational needs. The working schedule is on a five day basis, Monday to Friday, or Tuesday to Saturday, full time.

Location: Lesvos

Key role and responsibilities:
Teaching

• Translation and mediation between beneficiaries and ELIX teaching staff
• Assist in planning and preparation of classes and activities.
• Assist in teaching according to educational needs of the students assigned to him/her.
• Identification and adaptation of relevant teaching and learning materials for the provision of non-formal education focusing on mother tongue enhancement.
• Development of intercultural activities and respective material in order to raise cultural awareness and sensitivity of students, as well as to enhance their mother tongue knowledge.
• Providing cultural mediation for staff members and/or other stakeholders.

Overall provision of non-formal education

• Supporting the enrolment of school-going age children and adults.
• Recording attendance of students on a daily basis.
• Supporting the behavior and organization of students inside and outside the classroom (when not teaching).
• Advising and co-operating with the on the preparation and development of a comprehensive timetable of regular classes in order to deliver non-formal education to a large range of refugee and migrant children.
• Advising and co-operating with the Education Officer, Learning Center Officer and especially other teachers on the preparation and development of a comprehensive timetable of classes and specific educational activities with a focus on the mother tongue of students.
• Supporting the teaching team to cover lesson gaps.
• Supporting other teachers in classroom in terms of teaching and communicating with students and parents.

Other activities

• Promoting the general progress and wellbeing of individual students and of any class or group of students assigned to her/him.
• Making records and reports on the educational needs of students.
• Making referrals of vulnerable beneficiaries to the Case Management team.
• Working with other Teachers and Case Management teams to ensure a joined-up approach to the provision of both educational, recreational activities/psychosocial support and learning to beneficiaries, thus maximizing access to both.
• With the support of the Learning Center Officer and the Education Officer, communicating and consulting with parents and the community, in order to promote the educational services available, and identify and address any barriers to students accessing education.
• Participating in compulsory training and capacity development opportunities provided by the Education Team on a regular basis.
• Participating in administrative and organizational tasks related to the duties as described above, including the allocation of equipment and materials, as well as the distribution of learning material to students.
• Preparing and maintaining a conducive learning environment.

Qualifications and experience: Permission to work in Greece

Reports to: Field Education Coordinator and Learning Center Officer. Close coordination with other Teachers.

Essential:

• Native and/or fluent in Arabic, Farsi, Kurmanji, Sorani, French Language
• Excellent knowledge of English and/or Greek.
• Demonstrated commitment to improving the lives of students in the school and community.
• Strong understanding of the current context for refugees and migrants in Greece.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work collaboratively with others.
• Commitment to the aims and principles of ELIX, in particular, a good understanding of the ELIX mandate and an ability to ensure this continues to underpin our support.
• Strong organizational skills, with experience of administration.
• The ability to engage students of different ages and abilities with innovative activities and teaching methods.
• Experience working in a humanitarian context.

Desired:

• Experience teaching refugee or migrant children, or other minority groups.
• Experience delivering classes in non-traditional contexts, outside of the formal school system.
• Experience engaging with parents and communities.
• Experience adapting teaching and learning material to the needs of students, particularly ones with limited language or literacy.
• Knowledge of the national Greek educational system.
• Holding a teaching degree will be considered a strong asset.

Competencies for this role: please see the ELIX website post