ADVOCACY OFFICER— 3-MONTH GAP FILL

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 43.000 people have been rescued by SOS MEDITERRANEE.

The Advocacy Officer sits within SOS MEDITERRANEE’s Advocacy and Operational Communications (AOC) Department. The Coordinator is part of the advocacy team and reports to the Head of Advocacy and Public Positionings.

The current Advocacy Coordinator will be on unpaid leave for three months; SOS MEDITERRANEE is seeking a coordinator to ensure continuity of the advocacy team's evidence, data, and positioning work during this period. Given the short-term nature of the role, this gap-fill position will focus on a defined set of priority areas rather than the full scope of the permanent role.

The Advocacy Officer works with the support of the Operations team and collaborates with:

• The onboard crew, mainly Deputy Search and Rescue (SAR) Coordinators and post-rescue team members (protection/medical team)

• The air crew, mainly the Air Logistic and Liaison Officer (ALLO) and the Head of Mission

• Shore team members, including the Operations Manager and the operational communications team.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Data and evidence

• Support the collection, organisation, and management of operational data and information, in close collaboration with onboard and onshore teams, using SOS MEDITERRANEE's existing data collection protocols and tools.

• Help maintain existing systems and processes for storing and organising advocacy-related operational data and documentation.

• Support the collection and documentation of operational data and survivor testimonies, upholding informed consent, safeguarding, and data protection standards.

2. Public positionings and advocacy materials

• Monitor developments in SAR and migration policy and draft internal briefing notes and short analytical updates on relevant political and policy developments.

• Support the production of advocacy materials – reports, briefing notes, talking points – drawing on existing positionings and operational data.

3. Advocacy activities, external and internal engagement

• Contribute to internal communication on advocacy initiatives within the organisation.

• When requested and with the support of the Head of Advocacy, represent SOS MEDITERRANEE at select external meetings with NGO networks, working groups, and coalitions active in the SAR, maritime, and humanitarian sectors.

Diploma(s) and certification(s)

• Master's degree in Law, International Relations, Humanitarian Affairs, Political Science or related university degree.

Work experience

• At least 3 years of work experience in advocacy, in international development contexts

• Experience in SAR and/or migration contexts is an added value

Technical expertise

• Knowledge of migration dynamics in the Central Mediterranean and broader European migration context

• Experience supporting data collection and management processes, and using quantitative and qualitative data to inform advocacy work

• Solid research and writing skills, with the ability to synthesise information into clear briefing notes, memos, and other advocacy materials

• Good understanding of humanitarian principles, ethics, and responsible data standards

• Proficient in MS Office and standard collaboration tools (MS Teams, SharePoint); working knowledge of Excel for data management, with familiarity with data platforms such as Kobo a plus

Languages

• Excellent command of English, minimum C1 proficiency level

• Knowledge of Italian , French, German are  an added value

Interpersonal competencies

• Sound teamwork experience

• Self-motivated, enthusiastic, autonomous

• Capacity to work with remote teams

• Ability to cope with uncertainty and frequent change of plans

• Ability to get up to speed quickly given the short-term nature of the role

CONDITIONS

• Three-month, fixed-term contract (gap fill covering unpaid leave)

• Starting date of contract : as soon as possible

• Preferably based in Marseille’s office, Paris’s office or remote position in Berlin, Milan or Rome

• Necessary to have a valid work permit to work within the EU

• The salary and contractual conditions will be defined according to country of posting/third sector salary

• Closing date: september 25th

SOS MEDITERRANEE is committed to promoting an inclusive workplace and actively fights against all forms of discrimination.