Advocacy Officer — 3 Month GAP Fill

ORGANISATIONAL CONTEXT

SOS MEDITERRANEE is an international maritime and humanitarian organisation founded in 2015 by citizens in response to the escalating humanitarian tragedy in the Central Mediterranean and the absence of adequate state-led rescue capacity. The organisation operates with three core missions:

• Rescue people in distress at sea.
• Protect and assist survivors on board.
• Bear witness to what happens at sea and advocate for change.

Since 2016, SOS MEDITERRANEE has rescued more than 43,000 people from distress at sea through its operations with the Aquarius and the Ocean Viking. It operates as an international network composed of four national entities – France, Germany, Italy, and Switzerland – working together to support maritime operations, bear witness, raise awareness, and advocate for the protection of human life and dignity at sea.

AIM OF THE POSITION

The Advocacy Coordinator sits within SOS MEDITERRANEE’s Advocacy and Operational Communications (AOC) Department. The Coordinator is part of the advocacy team and reports to the Head of Advocacy and Public Positionings.

The current Advocacy Coordinator will be on unpaid leave for three months; SOS MEDITERRANEE is seeking a coordinator to ensure continuity of the advocacy team's evidence, data, and positioning work during this period. Given the short-term nature of the role, this gap-fill position will focus on a defined set of priority areas rather than the full scope of the permanent role.

The Advocacy Coordinator works with the support of the Operations team and collaborates with:

• The onboard crew, mainly Deputy Search and Rescue (SAR) Coordinators and post-rescue team members (protection/medical team)
• The air crew, mainly the Air Logistic and Liaison Officer (ALLO) and the Head of Mission
• Shore team members, including the Operations Manager and the operational communications team.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Data and evidence

• Support the collection, organisation, and management of operational data and information, in close collaboration with onboard and onshore teams, using SOS MEDITERRANEE's existing data collection protocols and tools.
• Help maintain existing systems and processes for storing and organising advocacy-related operational data and documentation.
• Support the collection and documentation of operational data and survivor testimonies, upholding informed consent, safeguarding, and data protection standards.

2. Public positionings and advocacy materials

• Monitor developments in SAR and migration policy and draft internal briefing notes and short analytical updates on relevant political and policy developments.
• Support the production of advocacy materials – reports, briefing notes, talking points – drawing on existing positionings and operational data.

3. Advocacy activities, external and internal engagement

• Contribute to internal communication on advocacy initiatives within the organisation.
• When requested and with the support of the Head of Advocacy, represent SOS MEDITERRANEE at select external meetings with NGO networks, working groups, and coalitions active in the SAR, maritime, and humanitarian sectors.

PROFILE SOUGHT

Diploma(s) and certification(s)

• Master's degree in Law, International Relations, Humanitarian Affairs, Political Science or related university degree.

Work experience

• At least 3 years of work experience in advocacy, in international development contexts
• Experience in SAR and/or migration contexts is an added value

Technical expertise

• Knowledge of migration dynamics in the Central Mediterranean and broader European migration context
• Experience supporting data collection and management processes, and using quantitative and qualitative data to inform advocacy work
• Solid research and writing skills, with the ability to synthesise information into clear briefing notes, memos, and other advocacy materials
• Good understanding of humanitarian principles, ethics, and responsible data standards
• Proficient in MS Office and standard collaboration tools (MS Teams, SharePoint); working knowledge of Excel for data management, with familiarity with data platforms such as Kobo a plus

Languages

• Excellent command of English, minimum C1 proficiency level
• Knowledge of Italian , French, German are an added value

Interpersonal competencies

• Sound teamwork experience
• Self-motivated, enthusiastic, autonomous
• Capacity to work with remote teams
• Ability to cope with uncertainty and frequent change of plans
• Ability to get up to speed quickly given the short-term nature of the role

CONDITIONS

• Three-month, fixed-term contract (gap fill covering unpaid leave)
• Starting date of contract:
• Preferably based in Marseille’s office, Paris’s office or remote position in Berlin, Milan or Rome
• Necessary to have a valid work permit to work within the EU
• The salary and contractual conditions will be defined according to country of posting/third sector salary
• Closing date: September 18th

ORGANISATIONAL CONTEXT

SOS MEDITERRANEE is an international maritime and humanitarian organisation founded in 2015 by citizens in response to the escalating humanitarian tragedy in the Central Mediterranean and the absence of adequate state-led rescue capacity. The organisation operates with three core missions:

• Rescue people in distress at sea.
• Protect and assist survivors on board.
• Bear witness to what happens at sea and advocate for change.

Since 2016, SOS MEDITERRANEE has rescued more than 43,000 people from distress at sea through its operations with the Aquarius and the Ocean Viking. It operates as an international network composed of four national entities – France, Germany, Italy, and Switzerland – working together to support maritime operations, bear witness, raise awareness, and advocate for the protection of human life and dignity at sea.

AIM OF THE POSITION

The Advocacy Coordinator sits within SOS MEDITERRANEE’s Advocacy and Operational Communications (AOC) Department. The Coordinator is part of the advocacy team and reports to the Head of Advocacy and Public Positionings.

The current Advocacy Coordinator will be on unpaid leave for three months; SOS MEDITERRANEE is seeking a coordinator to ensure continuity of the advocacy team's evidence, data, and positioning work during this period. Given the short-term nature of the role, this gap-fill position will focus on a defined set of priority areas rather than the full scope of the permanent role.

The Advocacy Coordinator works with the support of the Operations team and collaborates with:

• The onboard crew, mainly Deputy Search and Rescue (SAR) Coordinators and post-rescue team members (protection/medical team)
• The air crew, mainly the Air Logistic and Liaison Officer (ALLO) and the Head of Mission
• Shore team members, including the Operations Manager and the operational communications team.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Data and evidence

• Support the collection, organisation, and management of operational data and information, in close collaboration with onboard and onshore teams, using SOS MEDITERRANEE's existing data collection protocols and tools.
• Help maintain existing systems and processes for storing and organising advocacy-related operational data and documentation.
• Support the collection and documentation of operational data and survivor testimonies, upholding informed consent, safeguarding, and data protection standards.

2. Public positionings and advocacy materials

• Monitor developments in SAR and migration policy and draft internal briefing notes and short analytical updates on relevant political and policy developments.
• Support the production of advocacy materials – reports, briefing notes, talking points – drawing on existing positionings and operational data.

3. Advocacy activities, external and internal engagement

• Contribute to internal communication on advocacy initiatives within the organisation.
• When requested and with the support of the Head of Advocacy, represent SOS MEDITERRANEE at select external meetings with NGO networks, working groups, and coalitions active in the SAR, maritime, and humanitarian sectors.

PROFILE SOUGHT

Diploma(s) and certification(s)

• Master's degree in Law, International Relations, Humanitarian Affairs, Political Science or related university degree.

Work experience

• At least 3 years of work experience in advocacy, in international development contexts
• Experience in SAR and/or migration contexts is an added value

Technical expertise

• Knowledge of migration dynamics in the Central Mediterranean and broader European migration context
• Experience supporting data collection and management processes, and using quantitative and qualitative data to inform advocacy work
• Solid research and writing skills, with the ability to synthesise information into clear briefing notes, memos, and other advocacy materials
• Good understanding of humanitarian principles, ethics, and responsible data standards
• Proficient in MS Office and standard collaboration tools (MS Teams, SharePoint); working knowledge of Excel for data management, with familiarity with data platforms such as Kobo a plus

Languages

• Excellent command of English, minimum C1 proficiency level
• Knowledge of Italian , French, German are an added value

Interpersonal competencies

• Sound teamwork experience
• Self-motivated, enthusiastic, autonomous
• Capacity to work with remote teams
• Ability to cope with uncertainty and frequent change of plans
• Ability to get up to speed quickly given the short-term nature of the role

CONDITIONS

• Three-month, fixed-term contract (gap fill covering unpaid leave)
• Starting date of contract:
• Preferably based in Marseille’s office, Paris’s office or remote position in Berlin, Milan or Rome
• Necessary to have a valid work permit to work within the EU
• The salary and contractual conditions will be defined according to country of posting/third sector salary
• Closing date: September 18th