Intesar Bashir
Birkirkara
Summary
- Through my extensive experience as a cultural mediator with a range of actors—including UNHCR, NGOs, health providers, and state actors—I have assisted displaced populations in several areas: medical services and health promotion, mental health and psychosocial services, legal services, and integration.
- My daily interaction with refugee, asylum-seeking, and migrant communities in Malta (including the Sudanese community, African Diaspora, Sudanese Migrants Association, Cross Culture, the Syrian community, and the Libyan community) has given me the opportunity to understand the specific challenges each community faces.
- I have become familiar with the protection needs of persons from diverse backgrounds, genders, ages, and abilities, enabling me to provide tailored counseling and facilitate referrals to specialized services.
- Over the last decades, I have become a trusted member of these communities, working closely with them to identify needs and enhance their capacities to become part of the solutions.
- I have supported communities in establishing organizational structures so they can form a legal body to represent themselves.
- Additionally, I have been sensitizing and raising awareness among families from the community regarding child protection (CP) and gender-based violence (GBV).
- I have participated in initiatives that promote integration and peaceful coexistence with the Maltese community, where my knowledge of the local context has proven to be a valuable tool.
- In addition, I worked as a senior community-based protection officer for approximately a year and a half, further deepening my engagement and effectiveness in these roles.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
4
4
Certifications
4
4
Languages
Work History
Senior Community-based Protection Assistant
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
Ta' Xbiex, Malta
01.2023 - Current
- Responsibilities: 1
- Community Engagement and Support: Conduct regular needs assessments and consultations within communities of concern to tailor protection strategies that address specific vulnerabilities and enhance community capacities for self-protection
- Provide direct support and advice on integration matters such as long-term residence, housing, citizenship, and access to healthcare and education, ensuring alignment with community needs and legal frameworks
- Vist Gozo and outreach communities
- 2
- Monitoring and Field Operations: Regularly visit open and closed centers to monitor with JRS, gather feedback, and implement community-based protection activities aimed at reducing risks faced by PoC
- Lead and coordinate responses during visits to disembarkation sites, ensuring immediate protection needs are met and rights of PoC are upheld
- Capacity Building and Training:
- Supervise and provide ongoing training to cultural mediators and interpreters, enhancing their skills to support effective communication and cultural understanding in community interactions
- Develop and implement training programs for staff and community leaders on topics including child protection, GBV prevention, and education
- Strategic Collaboration and Liaison:
- Work closely with functional units (integration), the Multi-Functional Team (MFT), and senior management to integrate participatory approaches into the broader protection strategy
- Act as a key member of the community with local government, NGOs, and other stakeholders to foster partnerships that enhance community-based protection mechanisms
- Achievements:
- Enhanced Community Protection Mechanisms: Developed and implemented a community consultation framework that increased community participation in protection strategy formulation by significantly improving the relevance and effectiveness of protection interventions
- Successfully advocated for an integrated community that led to improved awareness for PoC
- Leadership in Capacity Building:
- Designed and delivered a comprehensive training program on community-based protection for DS staff members and 50 community members, strengthening local engagement and protection responses
- Enhanced the capabilities of cultural mediators and interpreters, facilitating communication between PoC and my colleagues
- Effective Collaboration and Network Building:
- Established and maintained effective partnerships with many local NGOs and government bodies, which enhanced the resource network available for community-based protection initiatives
- Recognized by UNHCR and external partners for exceptional leadership in building community networks and fostering a collaborative approach to protection challenges.
Interpretation support and cultural mediation
University of Malta- Law Clinic
01.2018 - 08.2023
- Responsibilities: Interpretation Support: Provided interpretation services during legal consultations and proceedings to facilitate effective communication between clients and legal professionals
- Ensured clear and accurate translation of legal terminology and concepts
- Cultural Mediation: Acted as a cultural mediator to ensure that all parties understood the cultural context of the client's situations, helping to clarify misunderstandings that could impact legal outcomes
- Client Support: Assisted clients by providing linguistic and cultural understanding during their interactions with the law clinic, ensuring they felt supported and accurately represented throughout their legal processes
- Key Achievements: Facilitated Access to Justice: Contributed significantly to the clinic’s mission by enabling non-native speakers to access legal aid services effectively, ensuring that language barriers did not impede their right to legal support
- Enhanced Client Satisfaction and Trust: Built trust and confidence among clients by ensuring their needs were understood and met, which was crucial for sensitive legal matters
- Supported Diverse Clientele: Helped a wide range of clients from various cultural backgrounds navigate the complexities of the legal system, enhancing the inclusivity and reach of the clinic’s services.
Cultural Mediator - Interpreter
International Organization for Migration
01.2017 - 08.2023
- Responsibilities: Interpretation Support: Provided essential interpretation services to facilitate communication between migrants and IOM staff, ensuring clear and effective exchange of information
- Cultural Mediation: Acted as a cultural liaison, helping to bridge cultural differences and enhance mutual understanding between migrants and service providers
- Ensured that cultural sensitivities were respected and addressed in interactions and procedures
- Document Translation: Translated materials and documents from and into multiple languages to support migrants’ understanding of legal, medical, and procedural information
- Ensured accuracy and cultural appropriateness of all translated content
- Supportive Travel Assistance: Accompanied migrants on travels, providing continuous interpretation and personal support, ensuring their needs and concerns were addressed during transportation and at destinations
- Achievements: Enhanced Communication: Successfully facilitated numerous interactions that improved migrant access to services and supported the implementation of IOM’s migration programs
- Improved Program Outcomes: Contributed to the effectiveness of IOM’s initiatives by providing accurate and culturally sensitive translation and mediation, which enhanced program reach and migrant satisfaction
- Support During Critical Interactions: Played a crucial role in numerous migrant journeys, ensuring safety, understanding, and comfort through proficient language support and cultural mediation.
Secretary
Sudanese Migrant Association Malta
01.2015 - 01.2020
- Responsibilities: Administrative Duties: Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of all association meetings and correspondence
- Manage the scheduling of meetings, prepare detailed agendas, and ensure the availability of necessary documentation for effective discussion
- Handle official correspondence and respond promptly to inquiries on behalf of the association
- Communication: Facilitate effective communication channels within the association and with external stakeholders
- Serve as a liaison between the association members and various community groups or relevant authorities
- Keep members regularly informed of upcoming meetings, events, and significant updates through efficient information dissemination
- Coordination and Networking: Build and sustain relationships with other migrant communities, local NGOs, and governmental entities
- Collaborate with these groups to organize joint activities, workshops, and initiatives aimed at benefiting the broader migrant community
- Represent the association at networking events and forums to advocate for the interests and needs of Sudanese migrants
- Documentation and Reporting: Compile detailed reports on the association's activities and achievements to keep stakeholders informed
- Document the outcomes of significant meetings and discussions for archival and strategic reference
- Ensure the association’s compliance with all relevant legal and regulatory requirements
- Support Strategic Initiatives: Assist in the formulation and execution of strategic plans that align with the association’s objectives
- Contribute to fundraising efforts and grant applications by providing necessary documentation and data support
- Achievements: Successfully coordinated and hosted multiple cultural integration events that fostered understanding and collaboration between the Sudanese community and other migrant groups
- Enhanced the visibility of the association through effective public relations strategies, resulting in increased funding and support from international NGOs
- Developed a comprehensive database system for member management, significantly improving organizational efficiency and communication.
Cultural Mediator - Interpreter
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
05.2019 - 05.2019
- Major Duties and Responsibilities: Under the general supervision of the Senior Protection Associate, the incumbent will be responsible for: 1
- Conduct visits in detention and lead the activities in the open reception centers as part of UNHCR Malta's operation as regards monitoring activities, information provision to persons of concern, and follow-up on individual cases
- 2
- Contribute to the design, implementation, and evaluation of SGBV-related activities and country-level child protection plan as part of the protection strategy to ensure programs use a child protection systems approach
- 3
- Conduct outreach activities together with other staff in the UNHCR Malta team with the specific tasks of providing information to persons of concern and monitoring protection issues
- 4
- Counsel persons of concern on specific protection issues and follow up on individual cases as necessary
- 5
- Prepare situation reports to supervisors, where needed, and contribute to the development of a broader protection and durable solutions strategy in the UNHCR Malta office
- 6
- Coordinate and supervise interpreters as appropriate
- 7
- Assisting in disembarkation operations, supporting the immigration police in the registration process, and identifying vulnerability
- Achievements as a Cultural Mediator - Interpreter: Enhanced Communication: Bridged communication gaps between persons of concern and UNHCR staff, contributing to more effective information dissemination and feedback collection
- Improved Service Delivery: Through accurate and sensitive interpretation, enabled the effective delivery of services and support to diverse communities, ensuring their rights and needs were met
- Cultural Sensitivity: Played a critical role in fostering an environment of mutual respect and understanding, adapting communication strategies to cater to the cultural nuances of various communities
- Strategic Impact: By providing critical data and cultural insights, significantly contributed to the shaping and refining of protection strategies and programs that are culturally appropriate and effective.
Teacher
24’ December Libyan School - Malta
01.2009 - 06.2014
- Responsibilities: Development and Implementation of Inclusive Teaching Strategies: Created and executed lesson plans that were sensitive to the cultural, linguistic, and educational needs of a diverse student population
- Utilized a variety of teaching methodologies to accommodate different learning styles and ensure an equitable learning environment for all students
- Cultural Sensitivity and Inclusion: Actively worked to understand and integrate the cultural backgrounds of students into the classroom to enhance mutual respect and understanding
- Fostered an inclusive atmosphere that encouraged students to share their cultural perspectives and experiences, enriching the learning experience for everyone
- Collaboration with International Teaching Staff: Partnered with teachers from various nationalities, including Maltese educators, to share knowledge and teaching practices, enhancing the educational approaches used within the school
- Participated in regular staff meetings and professional development workshops aimed at improving teaching effectiveness and student outcomes
- Curriculum Integration and Adaptation: Adapted curriculum resources to reflect the diverse needs of the student body, integrating local Maltese cultural elements to provide students with a well-rounded educational experience
- Assessed and modified teaching materials and assessments to ensure they were culturally appropriate and met educational standards
- Key Achievements: Enhanced Student Engagement and Learning Outcomes: Successfully increased student engagement through the implementation of culturally responsive teaching practices, as evidenced by improved student participation and academic performance
- Professional Development and Cultural Competence: Gained significant insights into different educational systems and cultures, which greatly enhanced my cultural competence and ability to manage cross-cultural dynamics effectively
- Community Impact and Integration: Contributed to the school’s mission of fostering a sense of community and understanding among students from different backgrounds, which helped in building a supportive and collaborative school environment
- Recognition and Feedback: Received positive feedback from peers, school administration, and parents for contributing to a learning environment that respects and celebrates diversity.
Membership of Technical Team for Landscaping
Nurseries - Horticulture, Sudan
01.2001 - 01.2006
- Responsibilities: Scheduled On-Site Meetings: Organized biannual on-site meetings in Sudan, which have proven crucial in discussing progress, aligning goals, and reinforcing team cohesion
- These gatherings have also provided valuable networking and team-building opportunities
- Strengthened Team Dynamics and Productivity: The regular interaction, whether online or during on-site meetings, has strengthened team dynamics and significantly boosted collective productivity.
Education
General Equivalency Diploma (GED), True - Agriculture
University of Malta ( L-Università ta' Malta ) Msida
Bachelor of Science (BS), True - Agricultural/Biological Engineering and Bioengineering
Omar-Al-Mukhtar University , El-Beida
Skills
Self-Awareness
Certification
Arabic, Fluent
Work Availability
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
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Reading and studying
My reading and studying encompass a broad range of topics, reflecting my diverse interests and professional commitments.
Areas of Focus, Integration, and Social InclusionThrough this comprehensive approach to reading and studying, I continuously expand my knowledge and skills to effectively support and advocate for displaced populations.
Timeline
Senior Community-based Protection Assistant
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
01.2023 - Current
Cultural Mediator - Interpreter
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
05.2019 - 05.2019
Interpretation support and cultural mediation
University of Malta- Law Clinic
01.2018 - 08.2023
Cultural Mediator - Interpreter
International Organization for Migration
01.2017 - 08.2023
Secretary
Sudanese Migrant Association Malta
01.2015 - 01.2020
Teacher
24’ December Libyan School - Malta
01.2009 - 06.2014
Membership of Technical Team for Landscaping
Nurseries - Horticulture, Sudan
01.2001 - 01.2006
General Equivalency Diploma (GED), True - Agriculture
University of Malta ( L-Università ta' Malta ) Msida
Bachelor of Science (BS), True - Agricultural/Biological Engineering and Bioengineering
Omar-Al-Mukhtar University , El-Beida
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