Search and Rescue - MECHANIC pool

Background

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 mechanics 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

Main responsibilities 

• Support care of survivors after rescue.
• Clean of the survivor care area; this includes but is not limited to scrubbing deck, toilets, showers and removing waste.
• Take care of maintenance of rescue equipment. Including 2 Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats
• Participate to all mandatory trainings and support in the delivery of trainings to new colleagues.
• Proactive coaching and support newly arrived staff members.

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 troubleshooting for break down on 4 strokes outboard engines
• Propose recommendations and solutions for break downs on 4 strokes outboard engines and on boats
• Follow up the mechanic inventory of the SAR locker
• Ensure the continuity by filling logbooks and follow-up document

Boat leader:

• Lead an MSF fast rescue boat under the responsibility of the SAR Team Leader;
• Ensure all equipment and material is are well maintained.;

Boat driver:

• Drive one of the MSF fast rescue boats under the direction of the boat leader.

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 embarkation procedure on the boat landing;
• SAR crew supporting recues on the fast rescue boats:
  • Perform rescues on the rescue boats during SAR operations under the direction of the boat leader.
• SAR crew on the deck:
  • 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;

Specific Accountabilities

These positions are on board the ship. Staff must be “sea worthy”, and willing to go beyond their regular role during rescues. Working and living on the ship requires a certain level of fitness, going out on the rescue boat in poor weather conditions for extended period of time.

The ship’s space is limited and the daily living conditions may not allow much privacy.

Candidates must be able to handle low amount of work between rescues, as well as very high workload during rescue and transit. There are none up to very limited possibilities to get off the ship.

During rescues, work might go beyond standard working hours; be aware that despite your role, you will be asked to do irregular shifts and night shifts, within and beyond your own job responsibilities (e.g. deck work, night watches, etc.).

Requirements 

Education:

• Required: STCW Basic Safety training and STCW Security awareness.
• Desired: Seafarer ticket in engineroom, or mechanic education on outboard engines. STCW Proficiency in survival craft and/or STCW Proficiency in fast rescue craft

Experience:

• Experience on maintenance of 4 stroke outboard engines
• Experience of RHIB repair and maintenance
• Experience as mechanic/ engineer at sea
• Experience working on fast boats at sea and feel comfortable doing so for long hours and in poor weather conditions.
• Desirable: Rescue experience and practiced advanced first aid skills
• Desirable: SAR experience in the Central Mediterranean and/or Offshore search and rescue

Languages:

• Required: Fluent English (C1 level)
• Knowledge of French, Italian or Arabic is a strong plus.  

Knowledge:

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

Competencies:

• understanding of electricity of a RHIB (grounding, anodes, different voltages circuits)
• understanding of mechanic of a RHIB
• Understanding of global maintenance of the structure of a RHIB
• Mindset of referring to manuals
• Accountability for quantity & quality of work
• Team cooperation
• Cross cultural awareness
• Strong communication skills
• Confidentiality
• Stress Management
• MSF principles & values

Conditions 

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.

Application procedure: 

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

Subject: “SAR Mecha_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

The application deadline is 15th May 2024

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. Applicants not invited for interview within 2 months from the closure of the vacancy may consider their applications unsuccessful.

MSF-Netherlands is an Equal Opportunity Employer. No employee, or applicant for employment, shall be discriminated against in any term or condition of employment because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, or sexual orientation. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are core values. We expect this same commitment from our staff.