Communications Coordinator - (Roster)

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.

Major Duties and Responsibilities :

SOS MEDITERRANEE is building a roster for a mission-based role of Communication Coordinator on the Ocean Viking. Candidates will be contacted as needed for rotations.

The coordinator supports the SAR team during rescues, joining RHIBs and assisting with operations. They also manage communication tasks, including producing content, gathering testimonies, and providing updates. Additionally, they manage a photographer and oversee journalists onboard.

Work takes place in international waters and Italian ports, with missions lasting up to 10 weeks. Safety guidelines must be followed under the SAR Coordinator's direction.

Mission 1: To produce communication material for internal and external purposes

• To monitor the Mediterranean’s SAR and political context in the media

• To produce regular content for external communications (social media content, photo, video, articles, statements, etc.)

• To collect testimonies of rescued individuals on board the ship and ensure that these interviews follow strict ethical standards (i.e., informed consent, anonymity, “do no harm” as main guiding principle)

• To provide regular and swift internal updates on the situation on board, on rescue operations in the context of operations and produce the operations’ weekly newsletter

• To anticipate needs for SOS MEDITERRANEE’s external and internal positioning on operational and political matters and write updates, talking points, press releases, etc., in collaboration and under the supervision of the Head of Operational Communications

• To supervise journalists onboard the ship and follow-up with them after disembarkation

• To manage SOS MEDITERRANEE photo/videographer onboard the ship and prepare and animate media and context trainings for the teams onboard the ship and the operations’ department

• To organize interviews with operations’ spokespersons and the ship’s team members

• To act as spokesperson when needed 

• To work in collaboration with the advocacy department in the development of reports and case studies and collect data for advocacy purposes

Mission 2: To participate in the coordination of SOS MEDITERRANEE’s European communication network

• To meet general requests from the SOS MEDITERRANEE network communications team

• To coordinate the external publication of operational contents with SOS MEDITERRANEE network

• To coordinate joint communication with SOS MEDITERRANEE’s partner, the IFRC, and/or with other SAR actors.

Mission 3: To participate when required to the Search and Rescue (SAR) activities onboard

• To actively support on-going rescue operations when needed: acts as a “shadow” for the medical team during “Mass Casualty Plans” and as a SAR team support onboard rescue boats

• To actively supports post-rescue care when needed: operates deck-watches when survivors are onboard (distribution of food, cleaning of the ship etc.)

Geographic position and duration of the mission:
Due to the political context, the Ocean Viking uses various Italian ports (mainly in Sicily) and the port of Marseille (France). The mission occurs in the international waters, off the Libyan coast. The Communication Coordinator must join the mission only if they understand the risks, they commit to comply with the security guidelines and respect the instructions given by the SAR Coordinator.  

Please note due to the current political climate duration of missions is very hard to predict. SOS-Mediterranee is doing what it can to ensure the maximum mission length does not exceed 10 weeks. Communication Coordinator team members are encouraged to return if they have successfully carried out their mission.

Qualification / Experience

Vocational qualifications and certifications : Master’s degree in journalism, Communications, Political Sciences or related university degree.

Work Experience :

• Substantial experience in the field of media / communications

• Previous field experience with a humanitarian organization and/or with maritime organizations.

• Experience in team coordination.

• Experience in data collection and in interview with people in situation of vulnerability.

Technical expertise :

• Extensive knowledge of the geopolitical context of search and rescue operations in the central Mediterranean
  Knowledge of humanitarian sector and migration issues.

• Strong communication skills.

• Ability to analyse and handle complex and sensitive information with internal and external stakeholders

• Flawless detail-orientation

Languages :

• Fluent in English (spoken and written)

• Excellent writing, editing and proofreading in English are essential.

• Good command of French is a strong asset

• Italian or Arabic are a plus

Management and leadership :

• Ability to work in an international structure with colleagues from different cultures and backgrounds.

• Strong decision-making and problem-solving skills.

• Sound teamwork experience.

IT :

• Good command of social media.

• Video editing on Adobe Premiere Pro is an asset.

• Good command of social media.

• Ability to produce photo and video material.

• Highly computer literate with capability in email, MS Office, including Excel, and related business and communication tools.

• Desirable : MS Teams/SharePoint, Information Management skills, Mailchimp.

Interpersonal Competencies :

• Desire to serve others.

• Self-motivated, enthusiastic, autonomous.

• Empathic. Willing to help out in case of an emergency and where possible with day-to-day jobs when necessary.

• Good interpersonal and conflict resolution skills.

• Ability to work as part of a team.

• Strong ability to work with stress, conflicting priorities, and tight deadlines.

• Ability to cope with uncertainty and frequent change of plans.

• Ability to respond to requests quickly and accurately.

• Problem-solving oriented.

Conditions:

• Type of contract : Short term contract. ( Duration of the rotation ). can be extended.

• Salary : between 4450 € and 4880 € gross per rotation.

• Travel, food, and accommodation fees are covered by the association for the entire mission.

• SOS MEDITERRANEE provides Personal Protective Equipment to perform the rescue operations (helmets, lifejackets, dry suits, jackets, trousers, safety boots, radios, goggles, gloves, etc.). 

• Insured for health, repatriation, workplace accident, travel insurance.