Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is a leading international independent medical humanitarian organisation, providing expert medical relief to vulnerable populations at times of conflict or disaster. Operating in over 71 countries, 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 its own ship.

 

Scope and objectives of the position

The Project Coordinator is responsible for MSF's operational response in the project. In close collaboration with the capital team, define and plan the project objectives and priorities, identifying the population's health and humanitarian needs, analysing the context and the humanitarian issues at stake, the risks and constraints, and calculating human and financial needs. Coordinate, in close collaboration with the Head of Mission, project implementation in order to efficiently ensure the goals as well as to improve the targeted population's health conditions and humanitarian situation. 

 

Main responsibilities 

  • Represent MSF within project limits. In close consultation with the Head of Mission, develop institutional contacts with national partners at project level (civil society, civil and military authorities, local NGOs, Ministry of Health representatives, etc.) as well as with media, in order to obtain all information and agreements necessary for the integration of MSF's programs in the local context and improve the targeted population's awareness of them.
  • Supervise the political and humanitarian situation in the project's region in order to ensure that MSF's charter, policies and image are respected with regard to national employees, populations, authorities and partners.
  • Define and regularly update, in close collaboration with the Head of Mission, the project's security policy and strategic response to emergencies, reporting any concerning issue, in order to improve risk working conditions and ensure staff's full adherence to security rules and protocols. Manage the security in the project, ensuring that all necessary security measures are in place for the safety of MSF staff and its operations.

 

Specific Accountabilities

This position is based in Licata, the home port of MSF's SAR vessel. The Project Coordinator organizes the team on shore and on board, reviews the strategy and planning to ensure smooth operations at sea and efficient port calls. Working with rotating onboard teams, the PC ensures continuity and operational coherence in the project. This position requires joining rotations (up to 5 days at sea) upon need.
The context is highly dynamic and political. Our activities are highly susceptible to hindrance or prolonged blockade by European (Italian) coastal authorities. Candidates must be flexible and prepared to adapt to meet the ever-changing context and its impact on our ability to engage in active operations. Individuals in leadership positions will be relied upon to support team morale and motivation.

Responsibilities:

  • Lead the team on board and on shore, ensuring smooth communication between the boat, shore team, and coordination.
  • Plan rotations and port calls, taking into account departmental and vessel needs, to maximise operational time at sea.
  • Advise on staffing plans, conduct pre-match calls and recruitments, and facilitate induction of incoming team members and journalists.
  • Engage with SAR NGOs at operational level, representing the project in inter-NGO platforms and building a network with local authorities at Oyvon's places of disembarkation.

During vessel readiness / in-between operational phases

  • Coordinate planning and monitoring of vessel readiness activities, maintaining an integrated project plan (timelines, milestones, dependencies, priorities) and facilitating coordination across technical, operational and logistics teams.
  • Identify bottlenecks, risks and resource constraints, escalating where required, and report project status to the Head of Mission.
  • Support development of operational procedures and readiness processes, and support the revision of SAR SOPs and related training.

SAR Operations

  • Rotate with other operational staff to cover back-office support during operations.
  • Together with the HoM, skipper and SARCo, review operational scenarios and strategies, define tactics and red lines, and ensure the team on board follows procedures for communication with authorities.
  • Discuss with the HoM and legal advisor potential legal risks, striking a balance between mitigating the risk of detention and doing the best for the people rescued.
  • Support the organisation of the team on board, ensuring clear roles and good collaboration between MTL/SARCo/Skipper, mediating between departments as needed.

Reporting and analysis & communications

  • Lead the project cycle process: Annual Plan (AP) and Mid-Year Review (MYR); manage the operational database and provide analysis for advocacy and context updates.
  • Follow financial reporting, providing feedback on the WeFin forecast and financial forecast.
  • Act as spokesperson to media and stakeholders, feeding into the communications strategy, managing journalists on board (in the absence of the FCM), and providing input for advocacy initiatives.

Requirements 

Education
  • Essential University degree.
  • Desirable degree in Project Management or People Management

Experience
  • Essential: at least two years' working experience in relevant, similar roles with other NGOs, or previous field experience with MSF in different contexts, including experience in developing countries
  • Highly desirable: previous experience as PC in MSF
  • Highly desirable: SAR experience, with MSF or other NGOs 

Languages
  • Fluent written and spoken English essential (C1)
  • Essential Italian (C1)

Knowledge
  • Advanced level knowledge MS Office (specifically excel; PowerBI is a plus)
  • Driving license valid in Italy
  • Administrative skills

Competencies
  • Networking and building relationship
  • Security Awareness and Management
  • Analytical Thinking

Conditions 

Contract: Fixed term contract (12 months), full-time. Level I of Italian CCNL Commercio Terziario Distribuzione e Servizi.

Candidates should hold a work permit to work in Italy.

Gross Annual Salary: euro 54.600 – 58.968 depending on MSF experience of the candidate

Location: based in Licata (Sicily)

Starting Date: ASAP

Application procedure: 

To apply for this role, please submit your application to sar-jobs@oca.msf.org 

Subject: PC_Your Surname

Including the following:

  • CV (in English)
  • motivation letter (in English)
  • Availability
  • 2 contacts for references

 

The application deadline is 15 August 2025

We are reviewing applications on rolling basis and might close the position earlier if we find the right candidate.
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.