Operational communication coordinator

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 40.000 people have been rescued by SOS MEDITERRANEE.

Major Duties and Responsibilities :

SOS MEDITERRANEE is currently looking for an Operational communication coordinator for an open-ended contract, in order to replace one member of our team in the Operations department.

The operational communication coordinator implements SOS MEDITERRANEE’s operational communication strategy and produce communications contents on board and on shore. 

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

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

• To produce regular content for external communications

• To collect testimonies of rescued individuals on board the ship and ensure that these interviews follow strict ethical standards

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

• To act as spokesperson when needed

• To anticipate needs for SOS MEDITERRANEE’s external and internal positioning on operational and political matters and write updates, talking points, press releases, etc.

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

• To develop international media relations

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

• To support the communications manager in the coordination of the communications departments of SOS MEDITERRANEE’s network and its partner, the IFRC (International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies).

• 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 in medium and long-term projects

• To support internal and external communications needs of the different operations’ services (drafting and editing manuals, reports, create trainings videos, etc.)

• To identify needs of communications support from other operations departments and the related solutions and implement it.

• To participate in other medium and long-term transversal projects of SOS MEDITERRANEE’s network

Mission 4: To participate when required to the Search and Rescue (SAR) activities onboard

• Support rescue operations as a team member onboard of the RHIB during rescue operations.  

• Support post –rescue operations, acting a shadow for the medical team during mass Casualty plans.  

• Support post-rescue activities when survivors are onboard

Qualification / Experience

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

Work Experience :

• 2 years' experience in the field of media / communications  

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

• Experience in team coordination. 

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

• Previous experience in internal communications 

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  

IT :

• 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.  

• Video editing on Adobe Premiere Pro is an asset.  

• MS Teams/SharePoint  

• Mailchimp   

Interpersonal Competencies:

• Ability to organize her.his work and time management skills; 

• Adaptability; 

• Autonomy; 

• Stress management skills; 

• Rigor; 

• Sense of initiative; 

• Ability to take some steps back; 

• Conflict resolution and mediation skill;  

• Ability to work in team; 

• Ability to create and maintain a network; 

• Active listening; 

• Sense of confidentiality; 

• Ability to use non-violent communication; 

• Analytical skills; 

• Ability to analyse, synthesize and formalize;  

• Critical thinking; 

Conditions:

• Type of contract: Open-Ended Contract (CDI)

• Planned starting date: April 14th, 2025

• Salary: From 2200 € to 4000 € gross/monthly according to the type of contract

• Location: Based On the Ocean Viking while onboard, and preferably in France (Marseille or Paris), Italy, Spain or Germany while onshore (other locations might be considered)

• Rotative position: 6 weeks onboard - 6 weeks off - 6 weeks at the office

• Some weekend and evening work is required then compensated according to current policy in place

• Some European wide travel

• Deadline for application: March 2, 2025