Background

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is a leading 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 Netherlands in Italy coordinates the Search and Rescue operations in the central Mediterranean which provide lifesaving activities and basic assistance.

Scope and objectives of the position

MSF Netherlands is looking for Search and Rescue professionals with a strong expertise in maritime sector. In particular, the skipper operates the MSF vessel in Search and Rescue operations in the Central Mediterranean and holds the ultimate responsibility for the safety of the survivors, the crew and the vessel. They organise the navigational watches, support and instruct the mechanic for issues regarding the engine room. Together with the Project Coordinator, the skipper communicates with authorities regarding distress cases and rescue operations.

The Skipper remains the final and legal accountable authority onboard (while at sea and in port) for all maritime and operational decisions at sea regardless of who is on the ship. S/he reports directly to the HoM.

Main responsibilities 

Briefing and preparation

  • Brief the team and visitors on the ship’s safety and familiarization, duties and tasks to cover in case of abandon ship, fire on board and other emergencies.
  • Brief the team members taking part in navigational watches, maneuvering, mooring/unmooring
  • Participate in all mandatory trainings, lead the maritime ones.
  • Ensures that safety drills are performed regularly.

Navigation and rescue operations

  • Navigate the ship and organizes the navigational watches.
  • Responsible for establishing navigational plans, in coordination with the SAR Co.
  • Monitor incoming communications to the bridge whilst at sea.
  • During rescues, transmit information from the bridge to the SarCo, maneuver the vessel in order to facilitate the operations for the RHIB and the crew.
  • Constantly assess the risks and, together with PC and HoM, make the final operational decisions to ensure the safety of the vessel, crew and survivors.
  • Guarantee the ship’s stability and compliance with international maritime regulations.
  • Final responsible (decision making and legal accountability) for safety and security. Can decide not to go to certain areas based on security risks (his decision prevails over the PC or the HoM on shore)
  • Follow up the security related context at sea.

Documentation and communication to the authorities

  • Keep track of validity of all boat certificates to comply with regulations, request the respective renewals, responsible for the filing on board and uploading it in the vessel management software.
  • Maintain a detailed bridge logbook tracking the ship’s activities and observations at sea.
  • Together with the Project Coordinator, communicate to the authorities about distress cases and rescue operations. In the current context, the skipper and the PC are questioned as witnesses by the authorities after each disembarkation.

Vessel Maintenance

  • Final responsible of vessel maintenance follow up, on deck supervising the mates and in the engine, supervising the engineer. Coordinate with vessel manager on shore the supply of spare parts and technical ordinary and extraordinary technical services.
  • Take part in activities to re-set the ship at the end of the rotation, including deck and material cleaning, re-supply, debriefings.
  • Ensure continuity and handover with the next captain.

Survivor care

  • When possible, support the team with survivor care on deck, including distributions, cleaning, activities.

General

  • Covers back-office duties on land in rotation with other staff members (upon needs).
  • Compliance with MSF Code of conduct and respect of MSF policies and procedures

 

Specific Accountabilities

  • This position is on tandem, meaning that there are two members of staff alternating on the same position. Each in-project deployment period is of approximately 6 weeks where the staff is based in the home port in Sicily and embarking on the ship for the operational rotations, followed by the off-project period composed of 4 weeks of rest at home and 2 weeks of remote work/stand-by period where the staff can be asked to travel back to Sicily..
  • This position is partly on board a ship and partly working on land. Staff must be “sea worthy”, and be willing to take an active part in the rescues, the care for survivors and the maintenance of the ship. Be aware that seasickness can be significant. Working and living on a ship and going out on the RHIB in poor weather conditions for extended period of time requires a certain level of fitness. Each team member must be able to swim.
  • The living conditions aboard the ship 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. Rooms and bathrooms on land may also be shared.
  • All staff is expected to contribute to the operations and chores on the ship, both at sea and while in port. This includes irregular shifts and night shifts, manual and heavy work within and beyond your own job responsibilities.
  • Whilst the team is divided in several departments, all team members work closely together and wear several hats; collaboration and overall vision are essential to ensure that we offer the best care possible to the survivors.
  • 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.
  • Journalists will regularly be present on the ship; staff may be asked to give interviews or be photographed during their work.

 

Requirements 

Certification

     Required:

  • STCW Basic Safety training
  • STCW Security awareness
  • Sportbootfuehrerschein See (SSS) or Yachtmaster
  • Valid Radio Operator’s Certificate (STCW IV.2 – GMDSS)

Experience
  • Experience as skipper on similar crafts (20 meters, 70 gross ton, twin engines with bow thruster)
  • Basic maintenance knowledge of engines, auxiliary generators, outboard engines, pumps, water maker etc ***
  • Experience in SAR is highly desirable
  • Experience working with a diverse crew, some of whom not coming from a seafarer’s background

Languages
  •  English fluent required.
  •  Desirable: proficiency in Italian and/or Arabic

Knowledge
  • Training facilitation
  • Knowledge in engineering/ship’s/RHIB mechanics

Competencies
  • Commitment to MSF’s Principles (level 3)
  • cross-cultural awareness (level 3)
  • behavioural flexibility (level 3),
  • stress management (level 3)
  • teamwork and cooperation (level 4),
  • security awareness and management (level 3).

Conditions 

MSF is looking for 2 SKIPPER positions available in 2026 (12 months).

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: “SKIPPER_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

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

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.