Communications Coordinator

SOS MEDITERRANEE is a civil European rescue association founded in 2015. Facing the humanitarian tragedy and the lack of adequate rescue capacity in the Mediterranean on the deadliest sea migratory route in the world since 2014, a group of European citizens created a maritime and humanitarian association in order to rescue persons in distress at sea, to protect and assist them, as well as to bear witness of the realities and many faces of migration.

Today, SOS MEDITERRANEE is a network composed of four entities (Germany, France, Italy, Switzerland) sharing the same mandate. 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 35.000 people have been rescued by SOS MEDITERRANEE.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

SOS MEDITERRANEE is recruiting a Communications Coordinator for its operations department.

The Communications Coordinator implements SOS MEDITERRANEE’s communication strategy and produces communications contents. Whilst onboard, this is the primary contact person for SOS MEDITERRANEE’s communications department and for the photo/videographer and the journalists.

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

CANDIDATE PROFILE

Vocational qualifications and certifications

Master’s degree in journalism, Communications, Political Sciences or related university degree.

Work Experience

Substantial experience in the field of media / communications
Previous field experience with a humanitarian organization and/or with maritime organizations.
Experience in team coordination.
Experience in data collection and in interview with people in situation of vulnerability.

Technical expertise

Extensive knowledge of the geopolitical context of search and rescue operations in the central Mediterranean
Knowledge of humanitarian sector and migration issues.
Strong communication skills.
Ability to analyse and handle complex and sensitive information with internal and external stakeholders
Knowledge of maritime law and SAR conventions and industry a plus

Languages

Fluent in English (Excellent writing, editing and proofreading)
Good command of French is a strong asset
German, Italian or Arabic are a plus

IT

Good command of social media and ability to produce photo and video material.
MS Office and related business and communication tools.
Assets: Mailchimp / Video editing on Adobe Premiere Pro

Interpersonal skills

Motivation for the organization and work
Strong team spirit and adaptability
Problem-solving oriented

EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS

Open-Ended Contract (CDI)
Planned starting date : End of May / Beginning of June
Remuneration according to SOS salary grid
Based in Marseille and onboard the Ocean Viking as the onboard station
Rotation between office, compensation days, onboard station (at the moment 6 weeks office, 6 weeks off, 6 weeks onboard)
Some weekend and evening work is required then compensated according to current policy in place
Some European wide travel

How to apply

Please send your application (CV and cover letter) in English via email to recrutementsosmedfr@sosmediterranee.org and indicate “Application Communication Coordinator – OPS” as the subject of the email.