Call for CVs:
Position Title: Consultant - Cultural Mediation Training
Duty Station: Dublin, Ireland.
Classification: Consultant
Type of Appointment: Consultancy Type B, 6 months with possibility of extension
Estimated Start Date: July 2026
Closing Date: 19.06.2026
Nature of the consultancy:
Consultancy Contract – Category B
Nature of the consultancy
The consultant will be responsible for developing a standardised induction training manual for IOM cultural mediators1 deployed across the Europe and Central Asia (ECA) region followed by the delivery of a tailored pilot training in Ireland. The consultant will be responsible for designing a comprehensive, practical and modular induction package that defines the core knowledge, skills, and ethical principles required for cultural mediators in IOM operational contexts, with particular attention to migration management, border procedures, reception settings as well as procedures of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum, and other topics identified by the mission in Ireland.
The assignment will include a review of existing IOM guidance, manuals and training materials, as well as relevant good practices from selected country-level cultural mediation projects, in order to identify transferable elements and gaps. Based on this analysis, the consultant will develop a structured induction training manual that can be used as a regional baseline, to be complemented by country specific adaptations where required. In addition to the baseline, the consultant will be required to develop top-up modules specific to the needs of IOM Ireland’s cultural mediators, including topics such as trauma-informed communication, protection, referral pathways, professional boundaries, confidentiality, self-care, prevention of vicarious trauma, and deliver a tailored pilot training in Ireland.
The consultant will work under the overall supervision of the Chief of Mission in Ireland and the direct supervision of the Immigration and Border Governance (IBG) Head of Unit, with the technical guidance of the Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) unit in Ireland and
the Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia. The assignment is deliverable-driven and will result in (1) a validated induction training manual and associated materials, supporting the consistent onboarding and professionalisation of cultural mediators across the region, and; (2) a tailored training package and pilot training delivered to IOM Ireland’s cultural mediators.
Project Context and Scope
Across ECA, cultural mediation has become an established component of IOM programming in migration management, particularly within Immigration and Border Governance, reception and protection contexts. Despite the fact that the role and scope of cultural mediators vary by country, IOM applies a consistent operational understanding: cultural mediators facilitate communication between migrants and authorities by addressing linguistic, cultural and procedural barriers, preventing misunderstandings and mitigating tensions in transit, reception and destination settings. Unlike interpreters, cultural mediators are expected to understand both the cultural background of migrants and the legal and administrative frameworks of destination countries, allowing them to support more effective and humane migration procedures.
In the ECA region, cultural mediators are most commonly deployed at borders, hotspots, reception facilities and immigration services, where they support identification and registration processes, explain procedures, and contribute to smoother interaction between migrants and frontline officials. A core function across all contexts is the early identification of vulnerabilities, including unaccompanied minors and victims of trafficking, and referral to appropriate protection and psychosocial services. In several EU Member States, cultural mediators have also supported authorities by reducing workloads and waiting times through improved communication and procedural clarity, demonstrating the added operational value of cultural mediation beyond purely linguistic and cultural support.
From a regional perspective, while a number of ad hoc and country-specific training initiatives for cultural mediators have been implemented across Europe and Central Asia, these efforts have remained fragmented and project-driven, without a shared baseline framework. In Ireland specifically, IOM provides cultural mediation support to international protection applicants at different stages, including during their initial application, substantive interviews, and within reception centres, mediating for MHPSS service provision and providing practical support and information throughout the asylum process. As at the regional level, cultural mediation training in Ireland is delivered in an ad-hoc and fragmented manner.
To address this gap, IOM aims to develop a standardised induction training manual for cultural mediators, applicable across missions and operational contexts, with a tailored training package to be piloted in Ireland. The purpose of this induction training is to establish a common foundation of core competencies, ethical standards, roles and responsibilities for all IOM-deployed cultural mediators, while allowing for contextual adaptation at country level. The development of this standardised induction package will support quality assurance, consistency of service delivery and professionalisation of the cultural mediator role across the ECA region.
Organizational Department / Unit to which the Consultant is contributing:
The consultant will work under the technical supervision of IOM Ireland’s IBG and MHPSS units, and in close coordination with the ECA Regional Office and members of the Consultative Group.
Category B Consultants: Tangible and measurable outputs of the work assignment
The consultant will be responsible for delivering the following deliverables:
1. Undertake a mapping of available training resources for cultural mediators, including relevant IOM guidance and IOM core competency frameworks.
2. Conduct consultations with members of the Consultative Group, that will be set up in support of developing the training manual, to collect inputs on needs, gaps and existing training practices across the Europe and Central Asia region.
3. Produce a concise summary report presenting key findings and recommending the scope and proposed structure of a standardised induction training manual for cultural mediators.
4. Develop a first draft of the baseline standardised induction training manual (including practical training materials, such as a facilitator guide, slides, case studies/scenarios, group exercises, and evaluation tools) and top modules tailored to the operational context in Ireland, based on the approved structure and recommendations.
5. Deliver a tailored pilot training in Ireland to test applicability of the draft baseline manual and Ireland-specific modules.
6. Revise and finalise the induction training manual following the tailored pilot training and technical feedback from the Consultative Group, IOM Ireland and the Regional Office, resulting in a final, implementation-ready induction package.
7. Perform other tasks as may be required within the consultancy.
Timeline
The consultancy will be carried out for a duration of 6-months, based on the below indicative timeline for deliverables:
1 Mapping of available training resources - June
2 Consultations with the Consultative Group - July
3 Concise summary report - August
4 Induction training manual – September
5 Tailored pilot training delivery in Ireland - October
6 Revise and finalise the induction training manual - November
Performance indicators for the evaluation of results
- Demonstrated understanding of cultural mediation in migration contexts, including roles, ethical considerations and operational environments within IOM programming.
- Ability to apply relevant international standards, organisational frameworks and IOM core competencies in the development of induction training content.
- Ability to collaborate effectively with stakeholders and incorporate feedback from diverse actors, including Steering Group members, regional thematic experts and field colleagues.
- Ability to clearly communicate findings, analyses and proposed training structures to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
- Development of comprehensive, coherent and professional analytical inputs, including mapping results and a well-reasoned proposed structure for the induction training manual.
- Proposing practical, feasible and operationally relevant solutions for a standardised induction training applicable across different country contexts.
- Demonstrating creativity and innovation in the design of training approaches, while ensuring usability and scalability across the ECA region.
- Adherence to agreed timelines and deadlines for all deliverables.
Required Qualifications and Experience:
Education:
- Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in a relevant field such as migration studies, social sciences, education, international relations, law or a related discipline; or a first-level university degree with extensive demonstrated experience in cultural mediation, training development or migration-related programming
Experience and Skills:
- At least five years of experience in a professional thematic consultancy, i.e experience in migration-related programming, including experience in cultural mediation, intercultural communication, and demonstrated experience in developing training or capacity-building materials.
Languages:
- For this position, fluency in English is required (oral and written).
Travel required
While the consultancy is primarily home-based, travel to Ireland (Dublin) will be required. IOM will reimburse these costs.
Required Competencies:
Values
- Inclusion and respect for diversity: respects and promotes individual and cultural differences; encourages diversity and inclusion wherever possible.
- Integrity and transparency maintains high ethical standards and acts in a manner consistent with organizational principles/rules and standards of conduct.
- Professionalism: demonstrates ability to work in a composed, competent and committed manner and exercises careful judgment in meeting day-to-day challenges.
- Courage: demonstrates willingness to take a stand on issues of importance.
- Empathy: shows compassion for others, makes people feel safe, respected and fairly treated.
Core Competencies
- Teamwork: develops and promotes effective collaboration within and across units to achieve shared goals and optimize results.
- Delivering results: produces and delivers quality results in a service-oriented and timely manner; is action oriented and committed to achieving agreed outcomes.
- Managing and sharing knowledge: continuously seeks to learn, share knowledge and innovate.
- Accountability: takes ownership for achieving the Organization’s priorities and assumes responsibility for own action and delegated work.
- Communication: encourages and contributes to clear and open communication.
Competencies will be assessed during a competency-based interview.
Notes:
- This post is subject to local recruitment. Only persons holding a valid residence and work permit in Ireland will be eligible for consideration.
- As the right to live and work in Ireland is required, the contract issued may be shorter than the period mentioned in the advertisement, in order to align with expiry date of the work permit.
- Any offer made to the candidate in relation to this vacancy notice is subject to funding confirmation.
- This selection process may be used to staff similar positions in various duty stations. Recommended candidates will remain eligible to be appointed in a similar position for a period of 24 months.
- Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, verification of residency, visa, and authorizations by the concerned Government, where applicable. Vaccination against COVID-19 will be required for IOM personnel who are hired or otherwise engaged by IOM. As part of the mandatory medical entry on duty clearance, candidates will be requested to provide evidence of full vaccination.
- IOM has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and IOM, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities.
- IOM does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process (application, interview, processing, training or other fee). IOM does not request any information related to bank accounts.
Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview, soon after the closing of the advertisement.
Posting period:
From: 09/05/2026 - 19/05/2026
Pay: From €20.00 per hour
Ability to commute/relocate:
- Dublin, County Dublin: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Language:
Work authorisation:
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Dublin, County Dublin
