Job: FAMILY MEDIATOR

This officer receives mediation briefs from the Coordinator of Mediation Services and facilitates the mediation process that assists parties to arrive at a mutually acceptable agreement. The mediator must remain neutral and keep in confidence all information obtained during mediation sessions in accordance with the Code of Ethics. Work includes giving all parties an equal opportunity to be heard and to respond, ensures that negotiations take place in a fair and balanced manner, helps parties identify his or her own needs, evaluates options and develop solutions. Work is performed independently. Officer is responsible to the Court when the Court refers matters.

• Mediates in family matters of all kinds
• Ensures the integrity of the mediation process leading to the mediation session and after the mediation session.
• Ascertains that the parties to mediation understand the nature of the mediation process.
• Prepares settlement documents and forms to be forwarded to the Coordinator of Mediation Services.
• Drafts mediation agreements capturing the terms of agreement between parties.
• When called upon, reports to the court on the terms of agreement reached between parties.
• Collects and collates statistical data for submission to the Court Statistician.
• Organises and gives public presentations to community agencies, schools and other organisation about mediation.

• Knowledge of the requisite legislation rules of court and court procedures.
• Knowledge of family mediation techniques, processes, and supporting theories.
• Knowledge of problem solving techniques and dispute resolution methods.
• Knowledge of contemporary social problems and cultural norms.
• Knowledge of the relevant software packages.

• Ability to manage a docket.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Ability to prepare clear and concise reports.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues, legal practitioners, judges and magistrates, social workers and other professionals, and the general public.
• Ability to relate to people from different cultural and social backgrounds.
• Ability to accept individual differences
• Ability to analyse
• Active listening skills
• Ability to articulate and identify the issues and interests of the parties.
• Ability to control the process without dominating the parties
• Ability to generate movement in the discussion of dispute
• Ability to recognize and manage power
• Strong verbal and communication skills
• Skills in listening, analysing, evaluating, negotiating, and good decision-making.
• Mediation Skills
• High integrity and objectivity
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Creativity/ inventiveness and focus

• An attorney-at-law with practical experience in family matters
• The holder of a degree or extensive experience and training in social work, mental matters, behavioural and social sciences
• Any other equivalent qualification must have completed a minimum of 40 hours in a standard mediation training programme and demonstrated practical experience and suitability by having conducted or co-mediated 4 mediation sessions under supervision and observation
• And should have observed family mediation conducted by a trained mediator and have conducted family mediations.