Sea-Watch is looking for a Project Manager (f/m/d)

Malta, August 2025

Sea-Watch Aurora im Einsatz
Aurora SAR Berlin Aufdruck auf dem hinteren Teil der Aurora

About us

Sea-Watch e.V. is a non-profit initiative dedicated to the civil sea rescue of people on the move. Given the humanitarian disaster in the central Mediterranean Sea-Watch provides emergency aid, demands, and at the same time, forces the rescue by the responsible European institutions and publicly stands up for legal escape routes. We are politically and religiously independent and are financed exclusively by donations.

 

For our Aurora Department, we are looking for a Project Manager (f/m/d) from August 2025 to oversee and coordinate the entire planning and mobilization process of a new vessel.

This is a 6-month project-based position at 30 hours per week, ideally based in Malta. Remote or hybrid work arrangements may be considered. A contract extension may be possible depending on project developments.

As Project Manager, you will be responsible for managing and coordinating the shipyard project from an organizational, financial, and logistical perspective. You will work closely with technical specialists and the shipyard crew to ensure all components of the project are well aligned and executed efficiently. You will collaborate closely with the Ship Coordinator and Technical Superintendent, receive support from your Department Coordinator. You will be responsible for a project team of around 10-15 people.

This role is ideal for someone who has experience in Agile Project management, thrives in complex, fast-paced environments, is solution-oriented, and enjoys keeping operations running smoothly behind the scenes during critical phases.

Your Role & Responsibilities

  • Oversee the coordination of the project and a shipyard in Malta, in close cooperation with the Ship Coordinator and Technical Superintendent
  • Act as the primary point of contact for the project, managing communication flows, planning all project phases, coordinating technical teams and volunteers, and supporting on-site activities during key shipyard stages
  • Oversee project-related budgeting and accounting, ensuring financial tracking is up to date and aligned with the overall project plan, in collaboration and with the supervision of the Team Coordinator
  • Be responsible for technical shipping, including the timely sourcing and delivery of technical materials and services. Manage and support on-site logistics, and coordinate volunteer activities related to operations
  • Help handling administrative and bureaucratic tasks, including communication with relevant authorities and compliance with local regulations
  • Organize and facilitate key team meetings, such as planning sessions, check-ins, retrospectives, and progress reviews
  • Ensure the project team is adequately staffed and supported in each phase, identifying and addressing any gaps in roles or responsibilities, in collaboration with the Team Coordinator.
  • Monitor project milestones and timelines, ensuring effective cross-departmental coordination and minimizing conflicts due to overlapping tasks or space limitations (particularly relevant on a small vessel)
  • Be physically present at the shipyard during critical project phases to provide hands-on support and coordination on the ground

We offer you

  • A dynamic working environment with flat hierarchies

  • Insights into the work of an NGO in sea rescue

  • Independent work and the creative freedom to help shape our operations

  • A position with a workload of 30 hours per week limited for six months (contract’s extension may be possible)

  • Place of work and accomadation in Malta and Lampedusa or Berlin office/home office.

  • Salary: 2.550 € (employee gross, Increases possible based on various factors*)

Your Profile & Skills

  • Proven experience as a Project Manager or similar roles, ideally in humanitarian or maritime fields, or as a hands-on Agile Coach or Scrum Master in multi-team environments
  • Ideally, direct experience managing shipyard operations or technical projects, especially in logistical or maritime contexts, is highly desirable
  • Ideally, background in logistics coordination and/or technical purchasing, with a proactive and structured working style
  • Able to work in flat hierarchies and NGO environments, balancing flexibility with clarity and accountability, and sharing Sea-Watch’s values
  • Excellent organizational skills with an analytical mindset, capable of solving problems pragmatically and maintaining structure under pressure
  • Fluent in English (written and spoken), Maltese is a plus
  • Strong interpersonal skills and team-oriented approach; experience of mediating conflicts and facilitating collaboration between technical and non-technical stakeholders.
  • Comfortable working independently while reporting regularly to a project lead
  • Willingness to travel or be on-site in Malta as needed

 

Aurora fährt in den Hafen von Lampedusa

Are you interested?

Please send your application till 21st of July to application@sea-watch.org

Please submit your application (CV/resume and cover letter) in English. Attachments please in a pdf-document. m5MB. In your cover letter, we ask that you answer the following questions:

  1. What is your experience in managing projects with tight deadlines and coordinating teams made up of technical profiles such as mechanics, carpenters, welders, and similar roles?

  2. What are your best practices for doing project management in a project with very diverse participants and flat hierarchies?

  3. What was your biggest challenge in project management so far and what did you learn ?

  4. Please describe any experience you may have on board vessels at sea or in shipyards

As we are committed to 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 histories, and people from other groups that are under represented in the NGO and IT world. You are welcome to refrain from providing application photos and information on age and marital status

*From January 1, 2024, we have a new salary model that allows for various supplements to the basic salary and takes into account family needs and personal disability. In addition, the salary increases by 3% with every year of service. In addition, there is the possibility of supplements due to previous relevant professional experience based on internal criteria, a maximum of 5 years can be recognized here, a supplement of 3% per year of previous experience is possible.

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