Intercultural Mediator – Arabic/Additional Language Speaker

Médecins Sans Frontières; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 26,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

MÉDECINS SANS FRONTIÈRES UK is recruiting for a role within its mental health team focused on improving communication between asylum seekers, refugees and care providers. The position aims to reduce language barriers and discrimination while enabling access to care.

Based at the UK Migration Project clinic in Birmingham, the role is 0.8 FTE (30 hours/week, Mon-Fri) on a fixed-term contract of 1 year with the possibility of renewal.

Qualifications

• Native speaker level of fluency in Arabic and other languages; additional languages a plus.
• Essential secondary education; desirable degree in social sciences, social communication or teaching.
• Lived experience of forced migration would be beneficial for the role.
• Training in interpretation or intercultural mediation is an asset.
• Experience in migration/refugee contexts or NGOmed by medical services is advantageous.
• Able to use IT and collaborate in a hybrid working environment using MS tools.

Responsibilities

• Support communication between asylum seekers, refugees and care providers to address language barriers and discrimination.
• Follow MSF protocols to improve fair and equal access to quality health care and services.
• Work within a multidisciplinary team to understand socio-cultural determinants affecting care access.

Skills

Arabic fluency

Additional languages

Education

Secondary education

Social sciences / social communication / teaching degree (desirable)

Tools

Microsoft Office 365

Teams

SharePoint

OneDrive

Yammer

Job description

Company MSF UK Location United Kingdom Functional Area Programmes Compensation Range 26.260,95-32.096,72 GBP per year

Company Description

MEDECINS SANS FRONTIERES UK

Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) provides life-saving emergency relief and longer-term medical care to some of the most vulnerable and excluded communities around the world. As an independent medical humanitarian organisation, we deliver care based only on need, regardless of ethnic origin, gender, religion or political affiliation.MSF relies on donations from private individuals and organisations for the majority of its income. This private funding gives MSF the freedom to respond where needs are greatest and to speak out publicly, free from any political interference.

MSF has around 67,000 local and international staff working in over 70 countries, in some of the most challenging places in the world. Our medical humanitarian projects are supported by offices in 44 countries, including the UK and Ireland. These teams recruit staff, organise fundraising, and raise awareness on the humanitarian crises our colleagues are witnessing, as well as running different and diverse support activities. MSF offices are spread across Europe, North and South America, Asia, Africa and Australasia.

At MSF UK/IE, we support MSF's operations by building relationships with our supporters, increasing awareness of our work, raising funds, providing specialist medical expertise, ensuring MSF staff have access to relevant higher education programmes, catalysing change on medical humanitarian issues, and recruiting field staff.

MSF UK/IE personnel are dynamic, hard-working, enthusiastic and committed to MSF's values and aims. In addition MSF continues to build upon its presence in Ireland to become a widely recognised, accepted and respected humanitarian organisation among Irish audiences, and within the Irish humanitarian and political sector.

Position

Opportunity to join a mental health team working for a humanitarian organisation.

To support the communication and interaction between target population (asylum seekers, refugees and other migrants) and care providers (MSF, Partners, NHS, other organisations) through addressing consequences of language barriers, socio-cultural differences and discrimination.

To follow MSF protocols and procedures, to improve fair and equal access to quality health care and other relevant services and providing MSF with an understanding of socio-cultural determinants.

Hours: 0.8 FTE, 30 hours per week – Mon-Fri

Duration: Fixed Term Contract – 1 year, with possibility of renewal

Location: Based at the UK Migration Project clinic in Birmingham, with travel within the West Midlands region

Internal salary grade: 12 - Salary is offered in line with our pay framework and typically starts at the entry point of the band. Salary increases are considered annually and are subject to our appraisal and performance review process.

Please download the full job and person specification below for further details.

Requirements

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Native speaker level of fluency in Arabic and other additional language. Fluency in additional languages is an advantage.


• Essential secondary education. Desirable degree in social sciences, social communication or teaching.


• Lived experience of forced migration would be of benefit in the role.


• Training in interpretation or intercultural mediation is an asset.


• Relevant experience in similar position, preferably in provision of medical services and/or with NGOs.


• Previous experience in migration/refugee contexts.


• Experience in the practical use of personal IT equipment and Microsoft Office 365 suite. The ability to effectively collaborate and communicate within a hybrid working environment utilising Teams, SharePoint, One Drive and Yammer.


• Own car and valid driving licence essential.


• Knowledge of migration dynamics and of the affected population.


• Desired knowledge of the culture and organisation (e.g. health care system) of the host society/country.


• Strong communication, and social skills (attentive listening, open attitude, empathy, sensitivity).


• Capacity to work in a multidisciplinary team.


• Initiative, creativity and flexibility.


• Capacity to adjust to change.

Other information

Recruitment timetable:

• Closing date for applications: Monday 16 November 2026, 12:00pm (GMT)


• First round interviews: Monday 07 December and Tuesday 08 December 2026 in Birmingham


• Projected Start Date: Monday 04 January 2027

Accessibility

We are committed to removing barriers for people with specific accessibility needs. If you need an adjustment to the recruitment process to be considered for the role, please let us know by contacting [e-mail] .

Examples of adjustments we can make:

• offering you an alternative if you are unable to use our online application system


• providing necessary information, such as the job description or assessment materials, in an alternate format


• allowing you to have someone with you during an interview for example, a Sign Language interpreter.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

We are a welcoming, diverse, and inclusive organisation. MSF UK thrives when everyone feels comfortable bringing their best self to work. We celebrate difference, whilst striving to create an environment where colleagues feel respected and valued for their unique potential. We are committed to our values on equity, diversity, and inclusion. Please read our Equality & Diversity policy for more information.

MSF UK is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to diversity and creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We encourage applications from all sections of our diverse community.

Safeguarding

MSF UK/IE is dedicated to safeguarding everyone who comes into contact with the organisation, for whatever reason and however brief. All posts are subject to safer recruitment process which include robust reference requests, scrutiny of employment history and where applicable criminal record and barring checks.

Our safeguarding commitment is underpinned by policies and procedures which encourage and promote safe working practice across the organisation. On joining MSF UK/IE you will be required to attend safeguarding training to ensure responsibility for and maintaining safe working practice and to safeguard our teams, beneficiaries, and communities.

Right to work in the UK

Candidates must have the right to work in the UK. Employment sponsorship will NOT be offered by MSF UK for this role. Please click here to check whether you have the right to work in the UK.

We look forward to receiving your application!