About SOS MEDITERRANEE
SOS MEDITERRANEE is a European humanitarian rescue organization whose mission is to provide assistance to people in distress in the Mediterranean Sea, to protect and assist rescued people and to bear witness to the situation in the Mediterranean Sea.
On land, a network of over 900 volunteers across 23 branches carries out a mission of bearing witness and raising awareness. The French association works in partnership with national associations in Germany, Italy, and Switzerland, as well as with the operations and international development departments.
At sea, professional sailors and trained rescue personnel carry out our mission to rescue people in distress in the central Mediterranean Sea. To date, more than 43,000 people have been rescued by SOS MEDITERRANEE.
The position
SOS MEDITERRANEE France is seeking a Human Resources Director for a newly created position that will strengthen the human resources team, which previously reported to the Deputy Director General. Founded eleven years ago, the organization now has over 50 employees in France and also employs staff under foreign law contracts. The human resources team works closely with the operational human resources teams and other entities within the international network.
Your mission
Reporting to the General Management, the Human Resources Director (HRD) defines, in line with the general guidelines, the human resources policy and the strategy to be applied for the French association and the German subsidiary of the French association.
As the guarantor of social dialogue and advisor to the CEO and other departments, he/she leads the HR team. He/she participates in the HR strategy and its implementation for the shared missions of the European network.
Your main responsibilities
STRATEGY
- Define guidelines, validate human resources strategy and policies, and oversee their implementation.
- To ensure the permanent interface with the general management, the directors and the employee representatives.
- Break down the strategy into its various components: social dialogue, HR development, personnel administration.
- To propose and lead cross-functional projects for social improvement and transformation.
SOCIAL DIALOGUE AND LABOR LAW
- Advising senior management, management, managers, and HR teams on the quality of workplace relationships and working conditions (health, safety, well-being).
- Representing senior management to the CSE (Social and Economic Committee) to facilitate social dialogue
- Representing management to administrative authorities (inspection and occupational health services, etc.)
- To ensure the application and respect of labor law and legal provisions (labor code, regulations)
HR DEVELOPMENT
- Evaluate and arbitrate human resource needs and organizational structure with the relevant departments and services,
- Supporting managers in their team management and in handling conflict or disciplinary situations
- Define and oversee the proper functioning of the HR department's activities and processes (recruitment, job management and career paths, etc.)
- Supervise the assessment and monitoring of occupational risks and ensure the implementation of the action plan for improving working conditions.
PERSONNEL ADMINISTRATION
Ensure the proper functioning of personnel administration (salaries, contributions, contracts, working hours, absences), manage studies or audits (social, tax).
TEAM MANAGEMENT
- Analyze, quantify and qualify the human resource needs of the HR department
- Recruit and support members of the HR team in their role
- Ensuring a good working environment is maintained for all staff
EUROPEAN NETWORK
- Provide HR support for the shared missions of the European network (operations, advocacy, training).
- Initiate and participate in defining HR policies for the entire European network in conjunction with other network entities
REPORTING
- Provide regular HR reports to the CEO
- Participate occasionally in the Board of Directors meetings to provide HR-related reports to management.
BUDGET MANAGEMENT
- Develop and monitor the payroll budget in conjunction with the France/Operations/Advocacy departments
- Develop and monitor the budget related to the HR department
Desired profile
Experience and training
- Master's degree in Humanities (sociology, psychology, social sciences), law degree (labor law), diploma from a political science institute with a specialization in HR, business school diploma with a specialization in HR
- Minimum 10 years of professional experience in HR management
- Essential experience in NGOs, headquarters and/or field
- Desired experience in a management HR position
- Experience in facilitating social dialogue in France
Required skills:
- Proven skills in HR management of French and international contracts
- Knowledge of French labor law and fundamental legal principles of the HR function
- Knowledge of HR management within a non-profit organization
- Excellent written and oral communication skills in French and English
- German and Italian are among the most
- Knowledge of HRIS software
- Listening and communication skills
- Ability to support teams in conflict management
- Analytical, synthesis, and teaching skills
- Ability to manage stress
- Ability to negotiate and persuade
- Ability to delegate
- Empathy
Job requirements
- Desired start date: July 2026
- Contract type: Permanent
- Position based in Marseille or the greater Paris area
- High mobility required - 1 week per month at other employee locations in France and Germany
- Possibility of partial remote work, 2 days per week
- Full-time - Fixed number of days - 218 days over a full calendar year
- 25 days of paid leave and 11 days of annual leave,
- Gross annual salary between 60k and 64k depending on experience and in accordance with the applicable salary scale
- Health insurance fully covered by the employer
- Meal vouchers worth €9, 60% of which is covered by the employer.
- 50% reimbursement of public transport passes and sustainable mobility allowance
How to apply
To finalize your application, you will receive an email asking you to confirm it; please don't forget this step. Once our team has received your application, you will receive an acknowledgement of receipt. Please note that no information will be provided over the phone.
SOS MEDITERRANEE is committed to promoting an inclusive working environment and actively fights against all forms of discrimination.