SAR TECHNICIAN - Search and Rescue Pool - MSF

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 operating with the Geo Barents ship.

Scope and objectives of the position

MSF Netherlands is looking for Search and Rescue professionals with a strong expertise in nautical sector to add to its pool. In particular, Search and Rescue Technicians will operate as part of MSF SAR team (8 members) crewing for rescue activities. They will be operating from the ship in rotations and in all weather conditions. They report directly to the Search and Rescue Team Leader who could assign different roles during the mission:

o Boat leader:
 Lead an MSF fast rescue boat under the responsibility of the SAR Team Leader;
 Ensure that the rescue boat and the rescue material are ready for rescue at all times and all equipment and material are well maintained.;
 Ensure that all crew on board on the Rhibs follow safety procedure while on operations.
o Boat driver:
 Drive one of the MSF fast rescue boats under the direction of the boat leader.
 Make sure that the rescue boat and the rescue material are ready for rescue at all times;
 Responsible for the safety of the rescue boat and the team.
o Deck leader:
 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;
 In charge of the maintenance of the SAR equipment on deck
 Responsible of launch and recovery operations of life saving devices in SAR operations;
 In charge of the embarkation procedure on the boat landing;
o SAR crew supporting recues on the fast rescue boats:
 performing rescues on the rescue boats during SAR operations under the direction of the boat leader.
 Ensure that the rescue boat is ready for rescue at all times and all equipment and material is well maintained.
 Ensure that all crew on board on the Rhibs follow safety procedure while on operations.
o SAR crew on the deck:
 Support in the pre-operation and post operation check of the deck, including all the life saving devices on board to be ready for rescue operation;
 Support the deck leader in the maintenance of the SAR equipment on deck
 Support in the embarkation procedure of survivors on the boat landing;
 Support the launch and recovery operations of life saving devices when SAR operations require.
o SAR Mechanic:
 Ensure the continuity and following-up of maintenance of 4 strokes outboard engines
 Under the responsibility of STL, lead and conduct daily maintenance on RHIBs and engines
 Under the responsibility of STL, lead diagnostics and troubleshootings for break down on 4 strokes outboard engines
 Propose recommendations and solutions for break downs on 4 strokes outboard engines
 Follow up the mechanic inventory of the SAR locker
 Ensure the continuity by filling logbooks and follow-up document

• 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 Search and Rescue Team Leader
• Participate in all mandatory trainings at the beginning and during each rotation;
• Support the update, follow-up and monitoring of the official internal documents by giving feedbacks to STL
• Mentor and support newly arrived SAR techs, as instructed by STL
• Perform watches on deck whensurvivors are onboard
• Support the care of survivors following instructions of the Deputy Project Coordinator; which includes but is not limited to:
o Food and beverage distribution
o Crowd management and control
o Organizing survivors flow to hygiene facilities
o Referring to the appropriate person to assist for medical and psychological care
o Facilitating a comfortable and safe environment, where all people are treated with dignity and respect
o Conflict de-escalation as needed
o .
• Cleaning of the survivor care area, following instructions of the Deputy Project Coordinator. This includes but is not limited to scrubbing deck, toilets, showers and removing waste;
• Compliance with MSF Code of conduct and respect of MSF policies and procedures
MSF Section/ Context Specific Accountabilities

IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING THIS POSITION:
• This position is on board a ship. Staff must be “sea worthy”, and be willing to go beyond their regular role during rescues. Be aware that seasickness can be significant, particularly for roles that require regular computer work. Living on a ship requires a certain level of fitness. Everyone has to be able to swim.
• Candidates must be able to handle possible “down time” between rescues, as well as very high intensity workload during rescue and transit. Possibility to get off the ship cannot be guaranteed even in between rotations.
• While the need for a humanitarian presence in the central Mediterranean Sea is obvious, the humanitarian space is reduced in a very politicized context. The operational space in which we work can change at short notice so flexibility is a must. We encourage all colleagues on board to be open minded, proactive and to contribute to the development of an efficient operation and positive team spirit. Activities may be blocked for political, bureaucratic or technical reasons; and the ship may be (and has been) detained.
• Journalists will be present on the ship; and staff may be asked to act as spokesperson.
• Staff must expect that they will be asked to undergo testing for COVID-19 after each rotation; and testing results will need to be shared with Italian authorities.

REQUIREMENTS:

Certification

• Required: STCW Basic Safety training and STCW Security awareness.
• Desired: STCW Proficiency in survival craft and/or STCW Proficiency in fast rescue craft.

Experience

• SAR experience in the Central Mediterranean and/or Offshore search and rescue and/or Casualty Care is desirable.
• Experience of RHIB repair and maintenance
• Experience working on fast boats at sea and feel comfortable doing so for long hours and in poor weather conditions.
• Rescue experience and practised advanced first aid skills is desirable.

Languages

• English fluent required. French, Italian and Arabic is a plus.

Knowledge

• Seamanship, advanced first aid, working offshore, search and rescue is desirable,
• Desired: fast rescue boat driving
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).

This vacancy aims to create a specific pool, a roster of professionals to contact in case of need according to availabilities. Being part of the pool doesn’t assure the assignment.

HOW TO APPLY

To apply for this role, please submit your application via email to   hidden link - please login

Subject: “SAR Tech_your Surname”

Attaching

motivation letter and CV updated (both in English)

2 contacts of reference of your line managers

Periods of future availability in 2024-2025