MESHACK RUKUNDANGA
Ottawa,Canada
Summary
Experienced Bilingual Community Service Worker specializing in mental health and addiction support. Expertise in client screening, needs assessment, crisis intervention, and navigation of Ontario's mental health services. Proficient in conducting structured interviews, assessing risk factors, coordinating referrals, and collaborating with community providers to deliver effective stepped-care solutions.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Social Research Assistant
Social Planning Council of Ottawa
Ottawa, Canada
01.2024 - 11.2025
- Conducted community needs assessments involving data collection from 50+ stakeholders and service users
- Investigated social issues within Ottawa through community engagement and data collection.
- Authored sections of research reports that informed local mental health and community service planning initiatives
- Coordinated referrals to community-based programs, enhancing timely access to essential services
- Supported 30+ newcomers in navigating housing, healthcare, and addiction-related services
- Collaborated with multiple agencies within Ontario’s community service network to strengthen inter-agency partnerships
- Provided multilingual interpretation services, improving accessibility for clients with language barriers
- Transferable Skills: Service navigation, referral coordination, client engagement, community collaboration, resource identification, analytical reporting.
Translator and Interpreter
UNHCR
Kampala, Uganda
02.2019 - 11.2021
- Conducted structured interviews and provided interpretation for 5–10 clients daily during asylum and protection procedures, facilitating access to essential services
- Facilitated culturally sensitive communication in high-stress environments, reducing misunderstandings and delays in case processing
- Supported over 200 vulnerable individuals annually, including survivors of trauma and gender-based violence
- Identified and escalated high-risk cases to psychosocial and legal teams, contributing to timely crisis intervention and coordinated service responses
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to coordinate protection services, streamlining communication and fostering a cohesive support network
- Maintained full compliance with confidentiality standards while preparing accurate case documentation and reports
- Transferable Skills: Interviewing and assessment, crisis response, risk identification, documentation accuracy, multidisciplinary coordination, client advocacy, ethical practice.
Education
Diploma - Community and Social Services
Herzing College
Ottawa, ON, Canada11.2025
Skills
- Client Screening and Needs Assessment
- Client screening
- Mental Health and Addiction Support
- Crisis intervention
- Referral coordination
- Continuum of Community-Based Services
- Client-Centered Communication
- Interviewing Techniques
- Case documentation
- Interdisciplinary teamwork
- Client advocacy
- CPR and First Aid Certification
Certification
- CPR
- First Aid
- Willing to complete ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training)
Languages
- French
- Kiswahili
- Lingala
- Kirundi
- English, Advanced
- French, Advanced
- Kiswahili, Fluent
- Lingala, Fluent
- Kirundi, Fluent
Timeline
Social Research Assistant
Social Planning Council of Ottawa
01.2024 - 11.2025
Translator and Interpreter
UNHCR
02.2019 - 11.2021
Diploma - Community and Social Services
Herzing College