About SOS MEDITERRANEE

SOS MEDITERRANEE is a civil European rescue association founded in 2015 to face the humanitarian tragedy and the lack of adequate state rescue capacity in the Mediterranean on the deadliest maritime migratory route in the world since 2014. Created by a group of European citizens, our maritime and humanitarian organisation has three missions:

1. To rescue people in distress at sea.
2. To protect and assist survivors on board our ship.
3. To bear witness and raise awareness about the tragedy unfolding in the central Mediterranean.

Today, SOS MEDITERRANEE is a network composed of four European entities (Germany, France, Italy, Switzerland) sharing the objective to support our rescue operations at sea. Search and Rescue (SAR) operations have been carried out since February 2016 in the Central Mediterranean off the Libyan coasts with the chartered ships Aquarius and Ocean Viking. To date, over 38.000 people have been rescued by SOS MEDITERRANEE.

SOS MEDITERRANEE is looking for a Search and Rescue Coordinator in order to expand its pool.

Important note: This position will belong to a roster, meaning successful candidates may be called upon as needed to fulfill assignments within this role.

MISSION OBJECTIVE

Working as a member of a diverse team who are committed to humanitarian and maritime search and rescue in the central Mediterranean, the Search and Rescue Coordinator (SARCo) is in charge of leading the operation of SOS MEDITERRANEE on board and is the head of the SOS MEDITERRANEE team on board. He/she supervises the entire scope of the operation from the preparation of ship, equipment and staff prior to departure from a port to the activity in the area of operations, the post rescue phase, the final disembarkation and the ship reset and preparation for the next team. He/she supervises the operation in all its aspects, including safety and security, respect of procedures, readiness, management of teams, briefings and debriefings, reporting to the shore.

Major Duties and Responsibilities – On Board

Manages the Search and Rescue operation from the bridge

• Validate that the ship is ready for departure from all relevant perspectives (safety, technical, HR…)
• Maintain overview on the weather condition and forecast at all times. Decide, together with the Master, the voyage plan
• Oversee all the maintenance, works and technical issues related to the ship or to the SAR and post rescue equipment, stores, and arrangements
• In coordination with the SAR Team Leader (STL) and the onshore team, ensure that maintenance is correctly and timely performed
• Lead the Search phase and the Post-rescue phase
• Maintain overview on the ship’s management by the marine crew; relates to the Master for any issues to be addressed on board and reports to SOS shore management any relevant information
• In coordination with the onshore team, lead the port call organization

Safety and Security

• Together with the onshore team and the shipowner, participate in the design of safety and security rules on board as well as in the safety and security risk assessment and analysis
• Assess safety and security on scene and decide, together with the Master, whether rescue operation should be carried out
• Ensure strict application and implementation of safety and security protocols and rules by all teams on board
• In emergency situations, take decision, together with the Master, to ensure safety and security of the team and assets
• Ensure all personnel onboard have received necessary familiarization on safety and security measures/rules/roles and responsibilities
• Report any safety and security incident

Communication

• Represent SOS MEDITERRANEE on board the ship and validate any communication performed on behalf of SOS MEDITERRANEE
• Can, with the agreement of and in coordination with the Master, interact with other ships, aircrafts or maritime authorities (RCCs, TMAS, etc.) on behalf of the ship Master.
• Participate in the drafting, design and update of the SOPs related to the interaction with other actors including but not limited to: the Libyan Coast Guard (and other maritime Libyan actors), the relevant RCC, the other SAR NGOs, the port authorities, and ensures such SOPs are implemented
• Participate in testimonies, interviews and/or signature of press release and other communication to the general public about the situation on the ship, within the communication lines of SOS MEDITERRANEE

Management

• Coordinate and support SOS MEDITERRANEE teams on board
• Is a representative of SOS MEDITERRANEE’s identity, values and objectives at all time and ensure that people under her/his responsibility do the same
• Ensure that all teams have received the necessary information to perform their duties
• Manage the team dynamics on individual and group level
• Participate and consolidate the debriefing process on board

Procedures, tactics and strategy

• Participate in the drafting, update and evolution of SOS MEDITERRANEE operational strategy
• Participate in developing, simplifying, and streamlining overall SAR framework/processes, to ensure operational sustainability (short, mid, and long term) with the end objective of clean efficient rescue
• Propose continuous improvement of existing framework/processes/procedures or tactics
• Ensure that equipment set-up adheres to SOS standards and advises relevant people on shore and on board of major modifications needed
• Ensure respect of the procedures and processes as established at institutional level

Internal coordination and Reporting

• Consolidate a report of the rotation with all relevant information for SOS MEDITERRANEE
• Organize hand-over with the next SAR Coordinator
• Debrief systematically all rotations with the onshore team
• Report the different events of a rotation and any issue met while conducting the operation to the onshore team

Candidate’s Profile :

• Maritime Deck Officer experience.
• STCW BST (Basic Fire fighting; Personal Survival Techniques; Personal Safety and Social Responsibility; Basic First Aid).
• STCW Security Awareness.
• Seafarer Medical Fitness Certificate.
• GMDSS GOC.
• 5 years’ relevant professional experience in maritime environment including bridge supervision positions.
• Work experience in multicultural environment.
• Knowledge of Maritime Law and regulations.
• Nautical expertise (navigation, ship’s stability, meteorology, etc.)
• Knowledge of safety and security on board.
• Knowledge of ISM system.
• Knowledge of SAR operations and technical requirements. Knowledge of IAMSAR Manual.
• Specific vocabulary knowledge, IMO Standard Marine Communication Phrases.
• Fluent in English (spoken and written).
• Proven track record in team/people management.
• Strong decision-making and problem-solving skills.
• Good command with MS Excel, Word, and emailing services.
• Desire to serve others.
• Self-motivated, enthusiastic, autonomous.
• Good interpersonal and conflict resolution skills.
• Ability to work as part of a team.
• Capacity to work under pressure and manage personal stress levels.
• Ability to cope with uncertainty and frequent change of plans.
• Ability to respond to requests quickly and accurately.

Conditions :

• Ship-based position, with possible duties on-shore
• Evenings and week-end work.
• Europe-wide travel.
• Salary : based on SOS salary grid – depending on the contract (Fixed term or SPOT contract)
• Insurance on-board and off-board
• Contract Type : Fixed Term Contract or SPOT contract