On board

We are a civil, donation-funded search and rescue organization. Founded in Berlin in 2015 and operating in the central Mediterranean since February 2016, we have been operating under the name SOS Humanity since 2022. Our vision is a world in which the human rights of all people are respected.

For our marine crew on board we are looking for a

Crew Change Cook

As a Crew Change Cook, you will play a key role in supporting the kitchen team during crew changes in the period from 18.06.-08.07.2025. Your main task is to manage the galley independently as a team of two and to relieve the kitchen team as much as possible during the handover and training sessions. You will ensure that the crew is continuously supplied with high-quality, vegan meals. Your responsibilities will include the planning, preparation and organisation of meals as well as maintaining high standards of hygiene.

Responsibilities:

• Working independently in a team of 2 in the galley during crew changes to ensure a smooth handover and training of the regular Chief and 2nd Cooks.
• Independent preparation of menu plans, including the calculation of required ingredients, cooking times and the use of kitchen equipment.
• Cooking for up to 35 people without support from Chief and 2nd Cook
• Ensure continuous catering for the crew throughout the crew change period, without days/weekends off.
• Ensure maintenance procedures for kitchen equipment and facilities.
• Liaising closely with the Chief Cooks and logisticians on stock planning and procurement.
• Adhering to basic hygiene procedures in professional food handling, including proper hand hygiene, cleaning of equipment, segregation of cleaning materials and proper storage and disposal of food.
• Maintaining a clean and organised work area throughout the cooking process.

Requirements:

• Independence and the confidence to run the galley independently during crew changes in a team of 2 after an introduction by the galley team.
• Experience in menu planning and preparing meals for large groups (up to 35 people).
• Stamina and resilience to be able to work throughout the crew rotation without days off.
• Knowledge of food handling and hygiene standards or willingness to learn and strictly adhere to them.
• Strong communication and organisational skills to communicate effectively with other crew members and the logistics team.
• Flexibility and adaptability, especially in stressful situations.
• Good command of English (C1)

The HUMANITY 1 sails under German flag, therefore we are bound to European citizenship in certain positions. However, it is very important to us that our crew is as international and diverse as possible. In particular, we encourage FLINTA¹+ persons to apply.

[1] Female, Lesbian, Intersexual, Non-Binary, Transgender and Agender people

We are a civil, donation-funded search and rescue organization. Founded in Berlin in 2015 and operating in the central Mediterranean since February 2016, we have been operating under the name SOS Humanity since 2022. Our vision is a world in which the human rights of all people are respected.
No one should drown while fleeing and everyone is treated with dignity. To date, the organization has rescued 36,587 people from distress at sea and from drowning. Supported by a broad, committed network, SOS Humanity mobilizes for humanitarian aid in the Mediterranean. We rescue, protect and change. For the work on land and in the harbor, we are looking for a

SUPERVISOR (volunteer position)

Your Position

We are seeking a supervisor to join our pool of volunteer’s supervisors and take responsibility for the psychological support of the crew throughout 2025. Alongside your colleagues (psychologists and/or psychotherapists), you will provide psychological support to the crew on scheduled shifts, with a maximum of two rotations per year. Your role will involve providing psychological support in person before, during, and after each rotation. Specifically, your duties will include a combination of in-person and online interventions. The pair of supervisors will travel to the Humanity 1 ship to conduct both the psychological briefing (at the beginning of the rotation) and the psychological debriefing (at the end of the rotation). For the online component, you will be available for individual or group support sessions throughout the rotation and up to one month after its conclusion (only if needed, according to the needs of the crew).

Your tasks

• Provide psychological support to the crew.
• Conduct in-person psychological briefings and debriefings, both in group settings and individually.
  • You are required to participate in at least one rotation in 2025. This involves one day of briefing and two days of debriefing (including travel).
• Plan the psychological support intervention, in collaboration with the pool referent, considering the events, the crew’s specific characteristics, and your expertise.
• Provide online psychological support for short individual or group interventions, if needed, during the rotation and after the operation at sea.
  • You will be available for individual or group support sessions throughout the rotation (usually 5 weeks) and for up to 4 weeks after the rotation.
• Offer online follow-up support after the rotation (one meeting per person, within one month of the rotation’s conclusion).
• Make referrals to external professionals as necessary, based on psychological assessments and evaluations.
• Design and implement psychological interventions, adjusting them to the evolving needs of the crew and drawing on your own professional expertise, according to the pool referent.
• Ensure the intervention remains aligned with the team’s needs, adapting as necessary to maintain quality and effectiveness.
• Participate in regular team meetings (once a month) to discuss challenges and exchange ideas, with the other pool member and the pool referent.

Your Profile

• You are a psychologist and/or psychotherapist registered with the Italian National Order and actively practicing the profession.
• You have professional-level proficiency in English, enabling you to carry out psychological work with other professionals and crew members.
• You are currently based and live in Italy.
• You have expertise in group psychological work, and experience in conducting psychological briefings and debriefings in both emergency and non-emergency contexts.
• You are skilled in facilitating groups, conducting psychological activities, and implementing psychological first aid (PFA) interventions.
• You have direct experience in psychological supervision and intervision.
• You are an expert in teamwork, with a focus on quality and respect for others, as well as a creative and solution-oriented approach.
• You can professionally handle uncertainty, unpredictability, traumatic events, social injustice, and a diverse range of personalities, while respecting both your own and others’ psychological boundaries.
• You have knowledge and experience related to the Central Mediterranean migratory route and the demographic and psychological characteristics of people traveling this route.
• You are committed to supporting search and rescue (SAR) activities and recognize the critical role of psychological support for individuals in high-stress, traumatic environments.
• You align with the values and goals of SOS Humanity and are motivated to contribute to the continuous improvement of the psychological support unit.

We offer

• A meaningful and responsible role within a dynamic and impactful NGO.
• Coverage of travel, accommodation, and meals during your time onboard.
• A one-year (all the 2025) volunteer contract and the opportunity to be part of a significant and innovative project.
• The chance to collaborate in shaping and improving a psychological support program that will benefit directly at least 200 individuals throughout the year.
• An opportunity to build psychological awareness and contribute to a high-quality, team-based intervention, while respecting the personal and professional lives of all involved.

SOS Humanity values diversity and is committed to creating a fair and respectful working environment. We are eager to receive your application (CV, certificates, and other eventual supporting documents) in a single PDF document by January 31, 2025. Please send your application to l.ciarlariello@sos-humanity@org and CC h.fusban@sos-humanity.org. Use the subject line “Psychological Support Unit.” We reserve the right to contact candidates before the deadline.

The HUMANITY 1 sails under German flag, therefore we are bound to European citizenship in certain positions. However, it is very important to us that our crew is as international and diverse as possible. In particular, we encourage FLINTA¹+ persons to apply.

[1] Female, Lesbian, Intersexual, Non-Binary, Transgender and Agender people

For our marine crew we are looking for a Chief Engineer on board the HUMANITY 1:

Responsibilities & Duties:

• Responsibility for the safe operation and maintenance of all engine plants, along with all mechanical and electrical equipment inside and outside the engine room, as per the Planned Maintenance System (PMS)
• Responsibility for the supervision of the engine room staff
• Responsibility for respecting and implementing all international regulations, and ensuring that all engine room documents remain up-to-date, including the engine room logbook
• Responsibility for maintaining good communication between the engine department, the master, and the shore manager
• Responsibility for communicating the technical needs and requirements, for the effective operation of the ship
• Responsibility for organising necessary orders, such as spare parts, fuel oil, lube oil, water – as well as preparing and overseeing bunker operations
• Supports on mechanical issues in repairs and maintenance on RHIBS and Deck

Requirements and skills

• Valid Certificate of Competence as Chief Engineer Officer on ships powered by main propulsion machinery between 750kW and 3000kW (STCW A-III/3, German license OR endorsement for the German flag)
• Valid certificate of proficiency in Basic Safety (STCW A-VI/1) (issued within the last 5 years)
• Valid certificate of Security Awareness (STCW A-VI/6) (issued within the last 5 years)
• Expert technical / troubleshooting experience
• Basic electric engineering knowledge
• Physical fitness and mental resilience (incl. valid Medical Fitness Certificate for Seafarers for respective position)
• Identification with Aims and Work of SOS Humanity
• Good teambuilding skills, especially in extreme situations
• Awareness of working for an NGO; potentially working with partially (sea) inexperienced volunteers and familiarity with principles of “flat hierarchies”
• Strong communication skills
• Good English language skills (confident communication in an international team; spontaneous, fluent, detailed communication with native speakers in a broad range of themes)
• Advanced PC knowledge, especially Microsoft Excel/Word skills
• Age: 21-70 years
• Vaccinations: Covid19 booster vaccination, measles, rubella, tetanus
• Ability to remain abstinent (drugs and alcohol) during rotation

Desirable:

• Experience working with pre-automation equipment and with Caterpillar motors
• Experience in maintaining/repairing hydraulic systems
• Advanced electrical engineering knowledge
• Experience with Electric Arc Welding (Manual and MAG)

We provide:

• Salary: 3080 € / month (employee gross)
• Possibility for longer employment
• 1-1-Contract
• Travel Expenses

The HUMANITY 1 sails under German flag, therefore we are bound to European citizenship in certain positions. However, it is very important to us that our crew is as international and diverse as possible. In particular, we encourage FLINTA¹+ persons to apply.

[1] Female, Lesbian, Intersexual, Non-Binary, Transgender and Agender people

For our marine crew we are looking for a Second Officer on board the HUMANITY 1:

Responsibilities and Duties:

• Primarily responsibility for the support of Captain and Chief Officer for safe (SAR) navigation and operation of the vessel
• Assistance in watchkeeping operations to search for distress cases.
• Support of the ship’s command
• Radio/GMDSS Equipment, also administration of UHF radios
• Preparation of the ship for the upcoming port state re-inspection
• Correction of nautical tables and admiralty nautical publications
• Voyage Planning
• Bridge administration
• Preparation of the ship for the next rotation
• Administration and Maintenance of the Flag State Medical Locker and Hospital
• Assistance/Cooperation with C/O for weekly/monthly inspection and maintenance of live-saving appliances and FFE and all safety related matters
• Designated Person in charge of crew members complaint onboard procedures.

Requirements:

• Valid Certificate of Competency STCW A-II/1
• Valid Radio Certificate GMDSS (STCW A-IV/2)
• Valid Certificate of Proficiency in Basic Safety (STCW A-VI/1) (issued within the last 5 years)
• Valid Certificate of Security Awareness (STCW A-VI/6)
• Valid Certificate of Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boat (STCW A-VI/2-1) (issued within the last 5 years)
• Valid Certificate of Proficiency for Advance Training in Techniques for Firefighting (STCW A-VI/3) (issued within the last 5 years)
• Valid Certificate of Proficiency in Medical Care on Board Ship (STCW A-VI/4-2)
• Valid Certificate of Proficiency Ship Security Officer (STCW A-VI/5)
• German Endorsement in case of foreign certificates
• Experience as an officer
• ECDIS Proficiency
• very good teamwork skills, especially in extreme situations
• strong communication skills
• Physical fitness and mental resilience, incl. valid Medical Certificate for Seafarers for desired position
• Identification with the aims and work of SOS Humanity
• Awareness of working for a NGO; potentially working with partially (sea) inexperienced volunteers and familiarity with principles of “flat hierarchies”
• Good English language skills (confident communication in an international team; spontaneous, fluent, detailed communication with native speakers in a broad range of themes)
• Advanced PC skills especially Microsoft Excel, Word and Outlook
• Age: 23-70 years
• Vaccinations: Covid19 booster vaccination, measles, rubella, tetanus

We provide:

• Salary: 2900 € / month (employee gross)
• Possibility for longer-term employment
• 1-1-Contract
• Travel Expenses

The HUMANITY 1 sails under German flag, therefore we are bound to European citizenship in certain positions. However, it is very important to us that our crew is as international and diverse as possible. In particular, we encourage FLINTA¹+ persons to apply.

[1] Female, Lesbian, Intersexual, Non-Binary, Transgender and Agender people

Founded in 2015 in Berlin, SOS Humanity is a non-governmental search and rescue organisation, actively striving for a world in which the human rights of all are respected. SOS Humanity stands for humanity at sea and on land. We are committed to ensuring that no person drowns while fleeing at sea and that everyone is treated with dignity. With our rescue ship Humanity 1, we are active in the Central Mediterranean to support people in distress, protect and bring them to a place of safety.

For our marine crew we are looking for a

Captain (Master)

Responsibilities and Duties:

• responsibility for ship’s command and the coordination of rescue operations
• member of the Head of Mission-Team (together with Care Coordinator, SAR Coordinator and Communications Coordinator on Board)
• Overall responsibility for the ship and its operation
• safe (SAR) navigation and operation of the vessel including search and rescue (SAR) bureaucracy with respective authorities and actors
• consulting SARCo from land for strategic questions and regular reporting
• plan and coordinate safe and effective search and rescue rotation
• work with partially inexperienced SAR members (volunteers and professional crew)
• coordinate rescue mission from the bridge including SAR bureaucracy with authorities and respective actors
• plan and conduct several drills on board to train volunteer and professional crew for search and rescue rotation, together with SARCo and Chief Mate
• communication with other vessels, aircrafts, backoffice and authorities
• coordination and communication with SARCo during deployment
• coordination and supervision of all tasks on board – before, during, after rescue mission
• preparation or review of rotation reports and protocols
• responsibility for ship’s administration and management
• prepare documentation for disembarkation of survivors on board
• familiarization of crew with ship, regular work and general procedures on board, together with professional ship personnel
• ensure everyone and everything on board in compliance with organisation’s policy, SOPs and Guidelines
• Communication with technical ship managers and superintendents of Helios
• Ship Security Officer on Board
• In charge of crew medications and narcotics ( however: crew and volunteer treatment done by professional doctor on board during rotation)

Requirements:

• EU Citizenship
• Valid Certificate of Competency for Master on ships up to 3000 GT (STCW A-II/2)
• Valid General Operator’s Certificate (GMDSS) (STCW A-IV/2)
• Valid Certificate of Proficiency ECDIS (Navi Sailor 4000)
• Valid Certificate of Proficiency Ship Security Officer (STCW A-VI/5)
• Valid Certificate of Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boat (STCW A-VI/2-1) (issued within the last 5 years)
• Valid Certificate of Proficiency for Advance Training in Techniques for Firefighting (STCW A-VI/3) (issued within the last 5 years)
• Valid Certificate of Proficiency in Medical Care on Board Ship (STCW A-VI/4-2)
• Valid Certificate of Proficiency in Basic Safety (STCW A-VI/1) (issued within the last 5 years)
• Valid Certificate of Security Awareness (STCW A-VI/6-1) + Designated Security Duties (STCW A-VI/6-2)
• German Endorsement in case of foreign certificates
• very good teamwork and leadership skills, especially in extreme situations
• strong communication skills
• Physical fitness and mental resilience, incl. valid Medical Certificate for Seafarers for desired position
• Identification with the aims and work of SOS Humanity
• Awareness of working for a NGO; potentially working with partially (sea) inexperienced volunteers and familiarity with principles of “flat hierarchies”
• Precise knowledge of actors, communication channels and SOPs related to rotation
• Knowledge of nautical as well as SAR related guidelines and conventions (SAR Convention, IAMSAR, MLC, SOLAS,…)
• Good knowledge of situation on Central Mediterranean and its actors
• Good knowledge of equipment, strengths and limitations of ship and its crew
• Good English language skills (confident communication in an international team; spontaneous, fluent, detailed communication with native speakers in a broad range of themes)
• Advanced PC skills especially Microsoft Excel, Word and Outlook
• Vaccinations: Covid19 booster vaccination, measles, rubella

We provide:

• Salary: 3360 € / month (employee gross)
• Possibility for longer-term employment
• 1-1-Contract
• Travel Expenses
• In addition to the Covid19 booster vaccination, five days of awareness for potential infectious diseases are strongly recommended.

The HUMANITY 1 sails under German flag, therefore we are bound to European citizenship in certain positions. However, it is very important to us that our crew is as international and diverse as possible. In particular, we would like to encourage FLINTA*s[1] to apply in order to ensure a balanced gender ratio on board.

[1] Female, Lesbian, Intersexual, Non-Binary, Transgender and Agender people

As an organisation for civil search and rescue, we as SOS Humanity are working towards a world where no one has to drown while fleeing and everyone is treated with dignity. Founded in 2015 in Berlin, we have been working in the Central Mediterranean since 2016.  With our search and rescue ship, Humanity 1, we brought our own vessel to the Central Mediterranean in August 2022.

For our marine crew we are looking for a

Chief Mate

Responsibilities and Duties:

• primarily responsibility for the support of the master for safe (SAR) navigation and operation of the vessel including SAR bureaucracy with respective authorities and actors
• assistance in watchkeeping operations to search for distress cases.
• Head of Deck Department: responsible for maintenance on deck + inside accommodation as well as every space not declared engine room
• Coordination with Bosun on planning/maintenance of general arrangement, deck condition, equipment with focus of responsibility on certification + timely organisation of inspections, surveys, equipment replacement
• Responsibility for safety – acts as Safety Officer: responsible for all safety & fire fighting equipment, maintenance of safety equipment (supported by 2^nd Mate)
• Organising necessary safety trainings & drills for crew
• in charge of ship’s stability incl. Ballast Water Management, freshwater & fuel bunker figures
• Preparation of the ship for rotations and upcoming port state controls
• Responsible for safe navigation of the ship according to the law and international regulation during her/his watch schedule.
• Substitute for Master
• Administrative Tasks (Rest Hours, Garbage Management, etc.)
• Organising the working hours, watch schedule, watch team for each crew change
• In general, responsible for approval of invoices, orders and ship related purchasing
• Responsibility for galley coordination including provisioning
• Foreseeing and organizing the adequate work request for the bridge department for

the coming shipyard or technical stop, in close collaboration and communication with the

technical and ship managers, to insure proper maintenance of the ship and compliance with the regulations

• Instruct crew on safe handling of electric and electronic equipment, especially white goods and galley equipment if required
• Inform crew about efficient use of energy on the ship, at sea and especially in port according to the Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP).

Requirements:

• Valid Certificates of Competency according to STCW Convention (STCW A-II/2)
• Valid General Operator’s Certificate (GMDSS) (STCW A-IV/2)
• Valid Certificate of Proficiency in Basic Safety (STCW A-VI/1) (issued within the last 5 years)
• Valid Certificate of Security Awareness (STCW A-VI/6-1) as well as Designated Security Duties (STCW A-VI/6-2)
• Valid Certificate of Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boat (STCW A-VI/2-1) (issued within the last 5 years)
• Valid Certificate of Proficiency for Advance Training in Techniques for Firefighting (STCW A-VI/3) (issued within the last 5 years)
• Valid Certificate of Proficiency in Medical Care on Board Ship (STCW A-VI/4-2)
• Valid Certificate of Proficiency Ship Security Officer (STCW A-VI/5)
• German Endorsement in case of foreign certificates
• Experience as an officer
• ECDIS Proficiency
• very good teamwork skills, especially in extreme situations
• strong communication skills
• Physical fitness and mental resilience, incl. valid Medical Certificate for Seafarers for desired position
• Identification with the aims and work of SOS Humanity
• Awareness of working for a NGO; potentially working with partially (sea) inexperienced volunteers and familiarity with principles of “flat hierarchies”
• Good English language skills (confident communication in an international team; spontaneous, fluent, detailed communication with native speakers in a broad range of themes)
• Advanced PC skills especially Microsoft Excel, Word and Outlook
• Age: 23-70 years
• Vaccinations: Covid19 booster vaccination, measles, rubella, tetanus

We provide:

• Salary: 3080 € / month (employee gross)
• Possibility for longer-term employment
• 1-1-Contract
• Travel Expenses

In addition to the Covid19 booster vaccination, a week of contact reduction and a negative Covid19-test

The HUMANITY 1 sails under German flag, therefore we are bound to European citizenship in certain positions. However, it is very important to us that our crew is as international and diverse as possible. In particular, we would like to encourage FLINTA*s[1] to apply in order to ensure a balanced gender ratio on board.

[1] Female, Lesbian, Intersexual, Non-Binary, Transgender and Agender people

As an organisation for civil sea rescue, we as SOS Humanity are working towards a world where no one has to drown while fleeing and everyone is treated with dignity. Founded in 2015 in Berlin as SOS Mediterranee Germany, we have been working in the Central Mediterranean since 2016. During this time, we were able to rescue 34,631 children, women, and men from drowning and brought them towards a safe place. With our new sea rescue ship, Humanity 1, we brought our own vessel to the Central Mediterranean in August 2022.

For our marine crew we are looking for a Second Engineer/Watch Engineer on board the HUMANITY 1:

Responsibilities and Duties:

• Substitute of Chief Engineer
• In special emergencies, involvement in the rescue operations
• Maintenance and repair of the engine plant and equipment, accommodation and deck
• Officer in charge of engine room watch in accordance with STCW Ch. VIII.
• In charge of engine plant and equipment maintenance under direction of the Chief Engineer
• Updates inventories and completes, or updates planned maintenance systems respectively
• Maintenance of all mechanical equipment in and outside the engine room
• Adhere to safe working practice and shipboard environmental policy
• Adhere strictly to the bunker & fuel transfer procedures.
• Ensure that there are no illegal discharges of oil, garbage, sewage from the engine room in contravention of the MARPOL Convention as amended
• Provide input to junior engineers, assistant engineers, outboard mechanics, fitter / welder
• Assist in deck gear operation on deck if required

Requirements

• Valid certificate of Competence according to STCW A III/3 (750kW-3000kW) or STCW A III/1
• Valid certificate of proficiency in Basic Safety (STCW A-VI/1) (issued within the last 5 years)
• Valid certificates of Security Awareness and Designated Security Duties (STCW A-VI/6)
• Physical fitness and mental resilience, incl. valid Medical Certificate for Seafarers for desired position
• Identification with the aims and work of SOS Humanity
• Good team building skills, especially in extreme situations
• Awareness of working for a NGO; potentially working with partially (sea) inexperienced volunteers and familiarity with principles of “flat hierarchies”
• strong communication skills
• Good English language skills (confident communication in an international team;
• spontaneous, fluent, detailed communication with native speakers in a broad range of themes)
• Advanced PC skills especially Microsoft Excel, Word and Outlook
• Age: 23-70 years
• Vaccinations: Covid19 booster vaccination, measles, rubella, tetanus
• Ability to remain abstinent (drugs and alcohol) during rotation

We provide:

• Salary: 2900 € / month (employee gross)
• Possibility for longer employment
• 1-1-Contract
• Travel Expenses

The HUMANITY 1 sails under German flag, therefore we are bound to European citizenship in certain positions. However, it is very important to us that our crew is as international and  diverse as possible. In particular, we would like to encourage women* to apply in order to ensure a balanced gender ratio on board.

A respectful working environment is important to us! We want all crew members to feel safe and able to perform their duties regardless of their ethnic, social, economic background, their gender identity or sexual orientation.

It is important to know for all crew members that our Code of Conduct applies to all crew members, and we do not tolerate any kind of racism, anti-semitism, sexism, misogyny, xenophobia, homophobia, transphobia, ableism and any other form of discrimination and abuse of power on board. Identification with these guidelines is a requirement for working on board Humanity 1.

Further general requirements are:

• age between 23 and 70 years
• high physical and mental resilience
• very good knowledge of English
• certificate of good conduct
• COVID-19 booster vaccination and vaccinations against measles and rubella

Requirements for nautical crew are:

• valid fitness for sea certificate
• necessary certificates of competency (navigation and/or engine)
• basic Safety Training – Certificate (STCW VI/1)

Desirable qualifications are:

• experience in seafaring and/or rescue
• language skills in Arabic, French and Italian
• first Aid skills