Background

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an international independent medical humanitarian organisation, dedicated to providing expert medical relief to vulnerable populations at times of conflict or disaster. In over 71 countries worldwide, 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 coordinates the Search and Rescue (SAR) operations in the central Mediterranean which provide lifesaving activities and basic assistance.

Scope and objectives of the position

MSF is looking for Search and Rescue professionals with a strong expertise in maritime sector. In particular, Search and Rescue Technician will operate as part of MSF SAR team crewing for rescue activities. They will be operating from the vessel in rotations and in all weather conditions. They are crewing the rescue boats and the deck during rescue operations and support in the navigational watches. They report directly to the Search and Rescue Team Leader (STL) during port calls, for day-to-day activities on-board and during rescue operations.

Main responsibilities

Briefing and preparation

  • Under the supervision of the STL, perform daily tasks of maintenance, trainings, briefings and support the STL in the sharing of the information within the team.
  • Support the update and follow-up of the official internal documents and procedures by giving feedback to STL
  • Brief all team members to safety on the ship and on the RHIB.
  • Ensure that the rescue boat and the rescue material are ready for rescue at all times and all equipment and material are well maintained.

Navigation and rescue operations

  • Under the instructions of the captain, participate in mooring/unmooring of the vessel.
  • While the ship is in the Search & Rescue zone, perform navigational watchkeeping duties and look out for boats in distress;
  • Depending on the role assigned by the SAR Team Leader, carry out the following duties assigned to their position during a rescue operations at sea:
    • Lead an MSF fast rescue boat under the responsibility of the SAR Team Leader;
    • Ensure that all crew on board on the Rhib follow safety procedure while on operations.
    • Drive the MSF fast rescue boat under the direction of the boat leader.
    • Be responsible for the safety of the rescue boat and the team.
    • Lead the pre-operation and post-operation checks of the deck, including all the life saving devices on board to be ready for rescue operation;
    • Be responsible for the launch and recovery operations of life saving devices in SAR operations;
    • Be in charge of the embarkation procedure at the embarkation area.

Survivor care

  • Perform watches on deck when survivors are on board
  • Support the care of survivors.
  • Support organization and fill in the SAR team Internal Requests and transmit them to STL.
  • Support the process of reception and delivery of the Internal Requests in coordination with Logistic department.
  • Other duties deemed necessary by the STL.
  • Compliance with MSF Code of conduct and respect of MSF policies and procedures

Specific Accountabilities

  • Project deployment period is of approximately 6 to 9 weeks where the staff is based in Sicily and embarking on the ship for the operational rotations,
  • As the vessel is currently undergoing preparations, we cannot guarantee the schedule and it is possible that the start date of the mission gets delayed.
  • This position is partly on board a vessel and partly working on land.
  • The living conditions aboard the vessel are rudimentary, cabins are shared with several people, a toilet and shower is shared between all the crew staff, with no possibility to ensure single-gender facilities.
  • In the last years, SAR NGOs have been faced with targeted obstructions of their work, in a very politicised context. The operational space can evolve quickly, activities may be blocked for legal, political or technical reasons, therefore there may not always be visibility on operations.

Requirements

Certification
  • Required: STCW Basic Safety training and STCW Security awareness, RHIB driving license
  • Desired: STCW Proficiency in survival craft and/or STCW Proficiency in fast rescue craft, STCW rating navigational watch

Experience
  • SAR experience in the Central Mediterranean and/or Offshore search and rescue and/or Casualty Care
  • Navigational Watchkeeping in open sea
  • Driving RHIB on SAR operations
  • RHIB repair and maintenance
  • Working as a mechanic or engineer with vessel main engines (inboard shaft, diesel) and auxiliaries
  • Basic interventions with electrical systems
  • Working on fast boats at sea and feel comfortable doing so for long hours and in poor weather conditions.
  • Mooring, handling lines and ropes and crane operations
  • Rescue experience and practised advanced first aid skills

Languages
  • English fluency required.
  • Desirable: proficiency in Arabic, Italian, French, Tigrinya, Amharic, Bangla or Urdu

Knowledge
  • Seamanship, advanced first aid, working offshore, search and rescue is desirable,
  • Navigational watchkeeping
  • Fast rescue boat driving

Competencies
  • Commitment to MSF’s Principles, cross-cultural awareness, behavioural flexibility, stress management, teamwork and cooperation, security awareness and management.

Conditions

MSF is looking for 2 SAR Technicians available for at least 6 weeks from mid-July 2025.

The candidate must hold a valid work permit to work in Italy.

Application procedure: To apply for this role, please submit your application via email to sar-jobs@oca.msf.org

Subject: “SAR TECH_your Surname”

Attaching:

  • Motivation letter and CV updated (both in English) by specifying the certificates held
  • 2 contacts of reference of your line managers
  • Periods of availability

Application deadline: 30/05/2025

Please note that the selection may be closed early if a suitable candidate is identified

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. Applicants not invited for interview within 2 months 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.