Background

Following a first assessment conducted in January 2017 in Italy and another one in July 2017, several critical protection gaps were identified within the assistance provided to refugees and migrants in Italy: mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS), assistance to unaccompanied children, information provision and legal support.

To respond to the identified gaps IRC established a small presence in Italy which has significantly grown over the past 8 years. Programs in Italy currently include Refugee.Info web-based information platform, protection programming targeting people arriving in Trieste through the Balkan route, initiatives aiming to the socio-economic inclusion of refugee youth and women, and educational projects (social emotional learning and healing classrooms).

To give continuity to the protection work launched in April 2024 and consolidated in 2025, IRC Italia will work throughout 2026 in a joint effort with UNHCR teams to provide support to persons recently arrived in key disembarkation areas as well as in reception facilities and transit centers in Sicily (including Lampedusa) and Calabria.

Job Summary

The International Rescue Committee is seeking a Bengali‑speaking Cultural Mediator to support protection activities for newly arrived refugees and migrants in Southern Italy. The position is part of a mobile protection team operating in disembarkation points and reception facilities, with a specific focus on survivors of trafficking and individuals with specific protection needs.

The Cultural Mediator provides cultural mediation, interpretation, and information services, supports the identification of vulnerabilities, and facilitates referrals in close coordination with IRC colleagues, UNHCR, and other partners.

Major Responsibilities:

• Provide cultural mediation and interpretation during group and individual information sessions in disembarkation areas and reception facilities.
• Deliver accurate, up‑to‑date information on rights, asylum procedures, and available services, with a focus on women, children, and families.
• Identify protection risks and specific needs, including trafficking survivors, GBV survivors, unaccompanied and separated children, and children at risk.
• Support referrals to appropriate protection and anti‑trafficking services.
• Conduct outreach activities in coordination with IRC and inter‑agency partners.
• Contribute to protection monitoring, data collection, and reporting activities.
• Participate in internal trainings and capacity‑building initiatives.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Job Requirements:

• Fluency in Bengali (spoken and written); good command of Italian.
• Knowledge of Urdu is an asset.
• Previous experience in cultural mediation and/or interpretation.
• Experience providing information sessions to migrants and asylum seekers.
• Knowledge of the Italian asylum and international protection system.
• Experience working with trafficking survivors and familiarity with survivor‑centered, trauma‑informed, and child‑centered approaches.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and teamwork skills.
• Cultural and political sensitivity, with professionalism and discretion.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office; valid driver’s license strongly preferred.

Working Environment:

The position is based in Catania and requires regular travel to disembarkation points and reception facilities across Sicily and Calabria.