SOS MEDITERRANEE is a European maritime and humanitarian organization founded in 2015 in response to the humanitarian tragedy and the persistent absence of adequate state-led rescue capabilities on the Central Mediterranean route — the deadliest migratory corridor in the world since 2014.
Created by a collective of European citizens committed to upholding human dignity, our organization operates with a clear mission:
To rescue people in distress at sea;
To protect and assist survivors on board our rescue vessel;
To bear witness and raise public awareness about the ongoing crisis in the Mediterranean.
Since launching operations in 2016, SOS MEDITERRANEE has rescued more than 42,000 people in coordination with its network across Germany, France, Italy, and Switzerland, using the ships Aquarius and Ocean Viking.
1. Context
For the past nine years, SOS MEDITERRANEE has been developing and formalising its operational training while working closely with a range of partners. Although Mass Rescue Operations (MROs) are considered rare but high-impact events in most parts of the world, they are a routine reality in our area of operations.
From the outset, SOS crews identified a significant gap between existing maritime training standards and the complex, high-intensity situations encountered during rescues at sea. Standard training frameworks were not fully adapted to the scale, frequency, and specific risks of the operations conducted in the Central Mediterranean.
In response, SOS MEDITERRANEE has invested substantial effort over the years in designing and refining dedicated tactics, procedures, and training tools to bridge this gap. Through continuous learning, operational feedback, and structured training development, the organisation has built a comprehensive learning system tailored to the realities of mass rescue at sea.
2. Purpose of the role
In order to provide training to external rescue teams, the Outreach department is aiming to develop a pool of trainers.
The trainers would be:
trained (5 days including self directed learning),
attend a 2 day live training with a client
willing to be registered in the pool of trainers, and available upon request to deliver training
Typical trainings run for 2 days and require 2-5 days of preparation depending on SOS MEDITERRANEE and trainers experience in a specific context.
SOS MEDITERRANEE would notify trainers of upcoming opportunities as soon as possible (usually 4 months in advance) however ad hoc trainings do come up and trainers with flexible schedules will be prioritised.
Clients may include Coast Guards and law enforcement units,
3. Main tasks and responsibilities
The collaborator will be responsible to:
Maintain and up to date understanding Of SOS MEDITERRANEE learning material both general and specific to various outreach partners
Review and discuss current standards with existing outreach instructors and outreach manager
Deliver high standard training sessions to partners
Maintain a professional composure throughout trainings
Adapt trainings within a framework following 1st delivery
Ensure the elaboration of a capitalization report following each training sessions.
Ensure lessons learned from delivering training remain confidential and managed by SOS unless otherwise discussed
Ensure SOS MEDITERRANEE engagement is not compromised
4. Requirements
Training (mandatory) :
Experience presenting Infront of an audience
Experience leading training (including drills at sea)
Detailed understanding of SOS MEDITERRANEE SAR guidelines
SAR:
Mandatory requirements:
At least one year operating in the central mediterranean on NGO assets on Rescue boats as part of the rescue team
Decision making experience while leading rescue teams or boats in Mass Rescue Operations
Understanding of risk management and assessments
Appreciated experiences:
Experience on various SAR assets (cruisers, patrol boats, RIBs, jet ski etc.)
IT & Language:
Expert use of Word, excel, PowerPoint and office
Fluency in French and English (written and spoken)
Interpersonal competencies:
Crew must be highly professional in their presentation, cloths and grooming especially when working in a military context, grooming standards should be reasonably close to theirs (see link)
Presentation to professional standard regardless of context
Capacity to work and maintain neutral behaviour in environments that may include people with negative perception of NGOs work and/or migration SAR
Flexibility and ability to travel are needed for this role.
5. Availability needed
Availability for the preparation of the first training session from the 24th of April to the 1st of May 2026, in Marseille
Availability for the first training session the 05, 06, 07 May in Marseille
Availability for the debriefing on the 08th of May in Marseille
6. Conditions
Consultancy contract (a SIRET number is mandatory), with a duration based on the training duration
Travel costs and costs for accommodation or subsistence are covered by SOS MEDITERRANEE
Daily fees : 300 – 400€ (without VAT) according to experience
7. Interests submission
Interested applicants should submit a file with the below elements before March 29th :
Resume, in French or in English
Motivation letter, in French or in English
Any references on similar works