Skipper

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

The skipper operates the MSF vessel in Search and Rescue operations in the Central Mediterranean and is responsible for the safety of 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.

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.
• Ensures that safety drills are performed regularly.

Navigation and rescue operations

• Responsible for establishing navigational plans, in consultation with the SAR Team Leader.
• Navigate the ship and organizes the navigational watches.
  Monitor incoming communications to the bridge whilst at sea.
• During rescues, transmit information from the bridge to the STL, manoeuvre the vessel in order to facilitate the operations for the RHIB and the crew.
• Constantly assess the safety for crew and survivors on board, guarantee the stability of the ship.

Documentation and communication to the authorities

• 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 captain and the PC are questioned as witnesses by the authorities after each disembarkation.

Survivor care

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

General

• 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 skipper.
• Covers back-office duties on land in rotation with other staff members.
• 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 ship and partly working on land.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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

Conditions

MSF is looking for 2 positions available for at least 6 weeks from mid-July 2025.
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 updated CV (both in English) by specifying the certificates held
• 2 contacts of reference of your line managers
• Periods of availability

Application deadline: 20/06/2025
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.