Sea-Watch is looking for a Executive Board Member (40h / week) (w/m/d)

Berlin office, earliest start from 01.01.2024 (later start possible)

Sea-Watch e.V. is a non-profit initiative dedicated to the civil sea rescue of refugees. In the face of the humanitarian catastrophe in the central Mediterranean, Sea-Watch provides emergency assistance, demands and accelerates the rescue by the responsible European institutions, and publicly advocates for legal migration pathways. We are politically and religiously independent and exclusively financed through donations.

We are looking for a committed board member for our executive board. The board currently consists of four people. Each board member is responsible for multiple of the 15 departments of Sea-Watch, each led by 1-2 people. The board meets weekly to make collective decisions and address current issues. Over 140 employees and over 500 volunteers work for the organization throughout the year.

What to expect:

  • Strategic Decision-Making: You will work closely with other board members in developing and implementing long-term plans and objectives to fulfill the operations and values of our organization.
  • Leadership and Staff Development: You will manage various teams and support department heads in implementing strategic, operational, and personnel decisions.
  • Public Relations and Relationship Building: You will represent Sea-Watch at external events, actively build relationships with stakeholders, partners, and donors, and are centrally responsible for implementing the organization’s communication strategy.
  • Social and Political Analysis: You will continuously stay informed about relevant social and political issues, particularly in the field of sea rescue and migration, and derive strategic decisions for the organization from this.

What we expect from you:

Technical Skills

  • Strategic Thinking: You can develop and implement long-term plans aligned with the organization’s vision.
  • Structured / Process-Oriented Working Method: You have the ability to approach tasks, challenges, and problems in a systematic/structured manner.
  • Leadership Skills: You have experience leading teams and can motivate and guide people. Preferably, you have experience in the humanitarian or political sector.
  • Networking: You can establish and maintain partnerships both within and outside the organization.
  • Political and Humanitarian Knowledge: You have a deep understanding of topics such as sea rescue, migration, and social justice.
  • Financial Management: You can keep an eye on and control budgets across the organization.
  • Language Skills: You have business-level proficiency in both English and German.
  • Project Management: You have experience with agile work methods.

Social Skills

  • Communication Skills: You can convey information clearly and convincingly, and have diplomatic skill, as well as a respectful and friendly demeanor.
  • Discretion, Confidentiality: You have the ability to handle confidential data and information discreetly.
  • Teamwork: You can effectively collaborate with people at different levels within the organization.
  • Willingness to Consult: You are open to actively soliciting and utilizing input from the organization and the network.
  • Conflict Resolution Skills: You can resolve conflicts in a manner satisfactory to all parties.
  • Taking Responsibility: You actively take responsibility for issues and processes.

Personal Characteristics

  • Integrity: You act ethically, responsibly, and in line with the values of Sea-Watch.
  • Adaptability: You can work effectively in a dynamic environment.
  • Resilience: You remain cool-headed even in stressful or uncertain situations.
  • Commitment: You bring passion for our mission and are proactive.

What we offer:

  • Purposeful Work: You have the opportunity to actively combat the humanitarian crisis in the Mediterranean and make a real difference in the lives of people.
  • Professional Development: We offer you access to training, workshops, and conferences for career advancement.
  • Network: You get the opportunity to further develop and build a broad network.
  • Flexibility: We offer flexible work hours and the option for remote work.
  • Innovative Work Environment: A great board team that closely works together, learns together, and grows together.
  • Salary: The executive board positions are salaried. Currently the salary is around 3.133,- € per month. The wage structure at Sea-Watch is currently being revised, and an upward adjustment is expected.
  • A progressive non-profit organization with continuously new challenges and ideas.
  • Additional benefits, e.g., company pension scheme.

The position of a board member is an elective position. This means that after the application process is completed, the position will be confirmed by election on the part of the association. Before that, we cannot make a firm commitment in the application process, but must wait for that election. The application process is coordinated with the association.

The board is currently gender-balanced. We aim to maintain this. As one female board member is leaving, applications from FLINTA*-persons will be preferred given equal competency. Since we advocate for an inclusive society without racism and with freedom of movement for all, we especially welcome applications from LGBTQI*, BIPoC, people with disabilities, people with migration backgrounds, and people from other groups underrepresented in the NGO world.

We have aroused your interest?

Please send your application documents with CV, letter of motivation including relevant certificates in a pdf document to: application@sea-watch.org

Please refrain from sending a photo of your application and information about your marital status.