Background
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is a leading international independent medical humanitarian organisation, dedicated to providing expert medical relief to vulnerable populations at times of conflict or disaster. In over 71 countries worldwide, MSF provides both life-saving emergency relief and longer-term assistance to make basic healthcare services available to the most vulnerable or excluded communities. MSF Netherlands in Italy coordinates the Search and Rescue operations in the central Mediterranean which provide lifesaving activities and basic assistance operating with the Geo Barents ship.
Scope and objectives of the position
The Deputy SAR Team Leader is the day-to-day manager of the SAR team while on-board the ship and in trainings and leads rescue operations on the water under supervision of the SAR Team Leader.
Her/his role is to assist the SAR team leader in the total set-up, maintenance and management of all SAR systems, equipment and procedures on board, as well as cooperating with, assisting and supporting other teams in the overall functioning of the operation.
The SAR Deputy Team Leader will rotate on and off the ship and will work on shore for part of the time when off the ship.
Main responsibilities
- Lead SAR activities on the water, reporting to SAR Team Leader on the bridge
- Responsible for overseeing the safety of SAR Technicians and team members on Rhibs through identifying and implementing correct procedures, safety measures and appropriate training
- Work with STL to continuously improve processes and SOPs of SAR activities
- Conduct on board trainings (Practical and Theoretical) of SAR team
- Support the SAR team leader with recruitment and planning of SAR team
- Coordinate, supervise, coach and support SAR team members, with support of the SAR Team Leader.
- Plan and supervise, in close coordination with the SAR Team Leader, the associated processes of induction, staff performance evaluation and team development of the SAR staff.
- Is responsible for the inspection and maintenance of SAR equipment under the management of SAR team leader on board.
- Participate in the ordering of SAR equipment
- Support the Deputy Project Coordinator to schedule bridge watch and deck watch shifts for all team at different stages of the rotation.
Specific Accountabilities
- This position is on board a ship. Staff must be “sea worthy”, and be willing to go beyond their regular role during rescues. Be aware that seasickness can be significant particularly for roles that require regular computer work. Working and living on a ship requires a certain level of fitness, going out on the RHIB in poor weather conditions for extended period of time.
- All staff are expected to contribute to the operations and chores on the ship, both at sea and while in port. This includes general care of rescued people (food distributions, etc), doing watches (deck watch, bridge watch), cleaning of the ship (scrubbing deck, toilets, etc.), deck jobs, and any other tasks at hand. This includes irregular shifts and night shifts, within and beyond your own job responsibilities
- Candidates must be able to handle “down time” between rescues, as well as very high intensity workload during rescue and transit.
- While the need for a humanitarian presence in the central Mediterranean Sea is obvious, the humanitarian space is reduced in a very politicized context. The candidate must be prepared to expect difficulties such as poor access to people in need or long delays before disembarkation after rescue.
- Journalists will be present on the ship; staff may be asked to give interviews or be photographed during their work.
- Due to the current context and uncertainties, flexibility is a must. All positions on the boat need to be open-minded and proactive and strive to contribute to the development of an efficient operation.
Requirements
Education: - STCW training required, BST+SA+PSC+PFRC,
- Certificate of Competency Rya Powerboat 2 or Equivalent
Experience: 2 years running a maritime SAR team or 2 years in the Central Mediterranean.
Languages: Fluent English speaker (C1 level); knowledge of French, Italian and Arabic is a plus.
Knowledge: Seamanship, advanced first aid, small team management, working offshore, mechanics and boat repair.
Competencies: Team management. Radio communications.
Strong communication skills including report writing.
Ability to work in stressful situations and make critical decisions.
Conditions
Contract: Fixed term contract (6 months), full-time.
Duty Station: 50% on the ship; 50% on shore (work on shore is divided as follow: 25% remote work & 25% leaves).
Start Date: as soon as possible
Application procedure: To apply for this role, please submit your application containing your detailed motivation letter and CV (both in English) to mediterranean-jobs@oca.msf.org
The application deadline is 22nd March 2023.
Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. Applicants not invited for interview within 4 weeks from the closure of the vacancy may consider their applications unsuccessful.
MSF-Netherlands is an Equal Opportunity Employer. No employee, or applicant for employment, shall be discriminated against in any term or condition of employment because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, or sexual orientation. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are core values. We expect this same commitment from our staff.
How to apply
Application procedure: To apply for this role, please submit your application containing your detailed motivation letter and CV (both in English) to mediterranean-jobs@oca.msf.org