Mediator

Mediator

Trainee Mediator

Trainee Mediator (Portuguese Speaking)

Family Mediation Jersey (FMJ) is a not-for-profit organisation and registered charity, providing a professional, specialist service to help families resolve differences through mediation.

We have 3 exciting openings for Mediators & Trainee Mediators (one of whom will be Portuguese speaking).  Full training will be provided through a nationally recognised online course over 4 months.

Mediators are employed on zero-hour contracts.

The posts would suit applicants with experience in the social/care industry, legal system, counselling or in supporting/facilitating roles with other charities and professional employment.

Job Description Family Mediator

Purpose of the job:

Family mediators are professional mediators who are trained to help families resolve disputes relating to divorce, separation, child custody, parenting timeand other family matters. They act as neutral third parties to facilitate communication between those who are unable to reach agreement on their own, by helping them to reach an agreement that is acceptable to all sides.

Context:
Family Mediation Jersey (FMJ) is a registered charity (371) which was established in 2013 as a family resolution service that aims to help separating couples and other family members sort out their differences and prevent further disputes.

Accountability:
Mediators are accountable for their professional practice to our Professional Practice Consultants (PPCs) and for all other matters to the manager.

Key tasks:

  • Conduct an initial meeting with clients (jointly or separately) to explain the mediation process and the steps involved, to assess their suitability, their needs and their goals and agree an agenda (called the intake meeting).
  • Listen to each of the client’s feelings and concerns and summarise points made by each
    party.
  • Establish ground rules for communication that ensure that all participants are heard without interruption or threat.
  • Complete all required documentation and secure appropriate evidence as required.
  • Obtain and complete full financial disclosure with clients.
  • Help the parties create a list of issues that need to be resolved which may include, but are not limited to, child residence and contact, property, and money.
  • Suggest and discuss possible workable solutions.
  • Enable and facilitate clients in the full consideration of options available and help them to reach agreement on issues that affect them.
  • Maintain fairness, equality, and adherence to the terms of the agreement to mediate.
  • Keep accurate and confidential records.
  • Summarise sessions and agreements in the form of the production of an Open Financial
  • Statement (OFS) or a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
  • Recognise where there is breakdown in mediation, deal with it accordingly and in the best interest of the clients.
  • Complete all internal documentation
  • Undertake regular individual and group supervision and CPD.

Qualifications, skills, interests, and qualities required:

  • A good education, ideally to degree level or beyond, with experience gained in a related area such as: family law, through working with families in some capacity; through working in the courts; in work involving mediation; or through experience in supporting/facilitating roles with other charities and professional employment.
  • Possess a recognised family mediation qualification or be prepared to study towards obtaining the qualification (see further information below).
  • The ability to apply mediation theory to practice.
  • A mature approach
  • Proven literacy and numerical skills and competent in the use of technology
  • Excellent communication and active listening skills
  • The ability to relate to people from all backgrounds
  • Empathy, tact, and sensitivity
  • A confident and assertive manner, and the ability keep discussions moving forward
  • The ability to bee fair, objective, unbiased and non-judgemental
  • Possess patience, commitment, and enthusiasm
  • The flexibility to work individually, in pairs or as a group, as necessary
  • The ability to think creatively and resolve problems
  • A preparedness to deal with people who may be emotional, upset, vulnerable, angry or distressed
  • Excellent recording and reporting skills
  • Flexible availability to attend mediations
  • Possession of a registration card showing ‘entitled’ or ‘entitled for work’ residential and employment status, and permission to live and work in Jersey without a work permit.

Portuguese speaking mediator
We have been very fortunate to secure a grant from the Association of Jersey Charities to recruit the services of a Portuguese speaking mediator. As well as the key skills set out above, applicants who are particularly interested in this role will be expected to demonstrate that they are:

  • Fluent in speaking Portuguese and English
  • Proficient in writing in Portuguese and English
  • Possess excellent translation skills, both written and oral
  • Possess a knowledge of the culture and society in which the source language is spoken
  • Knowledge and experience of translation techniques.

Mandatory training:
To become a family mediator, successful applicants must possess or complete a recognised family mediation training course which will be sponsored by FMJ. Training is provided both locally and in conjunction with the National Family Mediation Service (NFM), via an online training programme.
Successful applicants will be required to enter a training contract with FMJ prior to the commencement of training.

Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
It is imperative that all FMJ mediators update their skills and knowledge annually and retain their approved status with NFM. Mediators are required to undertake a specified number of hours of CPD each year as well as attending regular supervision and support meetings with our nominated PPCs.

Terms of employment:
All FMJ Mediators are employed part-time, on zero hour contracts. It is essential that applicants have the flexibility to attend mediation appointments during the day. This is not currently an onerous or regular weekly commitment. Most mediations take place primarily during normal working hours and we do our best to accommodate the occasional request for a late afternoon meeting. Terms and conditions of service will be available at interview.

FURTHER INFORMATION

For further information or an informal discussion about the post, please contact Elaine Feltham, Manager FMJ. Email: e.feltham@fmj.je or Telephone: 638898.
Applications, including a CV should be made by email to recruitment@fmj.je or by post to Family Mediation Jersey, Suite 7, Bourne House, Francis Street, St Helier, JE2 4QE.
April 2023