Sea-Watch sucht

Search and Rescue (SAR) Coordinator & Head of Mission (SARCO/HOM)

Sea-Watch 5
Vollzeit (40 h)

Start December 2026, 40 h/w

Sea-Watch e.V. is a non-profit initiative dedicated to the civil sea rescue of people on the move. In view of 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 department Operational Coordination we are looking for a position as Search and Rescue (SAR) Coordinator & Head of Mission (SARCO/HOM) with 40 hours per week starting around December 2026 – January 2027. The position is initially limited to 12 months with the wish to extend.

The position is both land-based and ship-based with a rotation concept between the roles of SAR Coordinator (SARCO) on land and Head of Mission (HOM) on board the Sea-Watch 5. Our rotation model foresees the person on this position to i) work one rotation (around 4-7 weeks) as a SARCO from shore, ii) followed by one rotation as a HOM on board the Sea-Watch 5, and then iii) one rotation off.

SARCO Role
As SARCO, you are the focal point on shore between the vessel and the relevant departments, ensuring smooth operations. You provide tactical and strategic advice to the Head of Mission and the Captain throughout the mission. During non-operational periods, the SARCO works on broader structural and operational topics within Sea-Watch, in close collaboration with other departments and partner organizations.

Head of Mission Role
As Head of Mission (HOM), your role is to lead Sea-Watch operations and the crew during a mission, with a particular focus on Search and Rescue activities and coordination between the different departments on board. As the organization’s representative on board, you work closely with the Captain and the SARCO while maintaining distinct responsibilities. We are looking for someone with both coordination experience in SAR as well as practical experience with rescue operations in the specific context we operate in. We offer you a motivated, agile and driven team with a can-do attitude always ready to support and share your tasks within a highly active and engaged organization.

Your tasks

When covering a rotation as SARCO

  • Organize operational briefings and debriefings
  • Support the HOM during their entire deployment
  • Focal point for the ship during mission (on call around the clock – with support from other SARCOs)
  • Liaise with relevant departments on operational topics
  • Facilitate mission alignment and information exchange

General SARCO back office tasks outside of shifts

  • Liaise with relevant departments on long term operational topics (e.g. areas of operation, trends in migration routes, tactical setup etc.)
  • Take care of the rescue setup in a tactical approach, coordinate with relevant departments on operational needs, technical and regulatory requirements
  • Further develop relevant SOPs and incorporate learnings and developments in the SOP’s

When covering a rotation as Head of Mission

  • Work closely with the SARCO during mission preparation to develop briefings, trainings and watch-keeping schedules
  • Ensure that all mandatory trainings, briefings and drills take place successfully prior to departure
  • Confirm mission readiness, while developing and preparing contingencies in the event of equipment, vessel or mission crew irregularities
  • Overall focal point for crew on board for mission related topics and tasks
  • Oversee and support other crew members in managing their responsibilities according to their positions on board
  • Lead the team, maintain crew morale and ensure well-being
  • Manage conflicts and engage in team-building exercises to boost operational readiness

Your profile

  • Extensive and preferably recent SAR experience in the central Mediterranean Sea on a ship comparable in size to Sea-Watch 5 (minimum 2 seagoing missions, crew size > 20), ideally in a leadership position
  • Patience and resilience with the ability to reach good decisions in a constantly evolving environment, and during emergency situations
  • Cooperative and constructive approach to decision-making with different teams, groups and departments
  • Able to prioritize & delegate, and act decisively in a fast-paced setting
  • Navigate operational challenges and long working shift (night) hours with flexibility and proactivity
  • Well-informed about the latest developments in the central Mediterranean, Libya, Tunisia, Italy and on EU level
  • Willing to travel regularly (to meetings or ships) during SARCO deployment and to spend 6 weeks on board at a time
  • Physical fitness and mental resilience
  • Excellent English language skills
  • Experience in working with volunteers
  • Basic nautical skills (for rescue operations) and functioning knowledge of all positions on board Sea-Watch 5
  • Strong understanding of the vision and goals of Sea-Watch e.V

Desired skills/certifications

  • sailed on board a Sea-Watch vessel within the last 24 months or spend several months at sea on board a comparable rescue vessel
  • (STCW) Basic Safety Certificate
  • Medical fitness certificate
  • Watch-keeping license

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
  • On-Off concept to compensate for weekend and night shifts
  • Place of work in the Berlin office/home office and sometimes in the current port/on board
  • Salary: 3,400 Euro (employee gross, Increases possible based on various factors*)
  • Professional supervision, crisis support, debriefings, and workshops
  • Internal and external training opportunities, including an individual learning budget
  • Company pension scheme and additional benefits
  • A values-driven workplace built on solidarity, trust, and collaboration

Are you interested?

Then we’re looking forward to receive your application and your answer to our question:

1. How would you describe your leadership style?

2. What limitations are you aware of that are
inherent to this style and how do you mitigate those?

Please send your application documents with CV, letter of motivation, contact details for two references, and relevant certificates in one pdf document to application@sea-watch.org by Friday 16th of October.

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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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