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SOUTH AFRICAN MARITIME SAFETY AUTHORITY (SAMSA)
 
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MARITIME WELFARE OFFICER
PERMANENT    
GRADE: C4
CAPE TOWN OFFICE
 
JOB PURPOSE
To provide support and assistance to seafarers/fishers with regards to their physical, emotional, and social well-being, nationally. A Maritime Welfare Officer works to promote seafarer/fishers welfare by developing and delivering programs and services to meet the needs of seafarers in line with the requirements of the Merchant Shipping Act and other intentional obligations.
 
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Seafarer Welfare​​        
  • Ensure that seafarers/fishers receive adequate support and assistance for their emotional, and social wellbeing.
  • Maintain the SAMSA Help Desk (both email and website portal) and ensure crew complaints are timeously resolved.
  • Design and maintain a SAMSA seafarer/fishers welfare website portal providing tools for the seafarers/fishers.
  • Facilitate establishment of a seafarer/fishers counselling service for SAMSA including a referral system (virtual and physical).
  • Provide counselling support to seafarers/fishers facing various stressful situations, and the bereaved families.
  • Provide specialized support to victims of Gender Based Violence (GBV).
  • Assist SAMSA Port Offices nationally with handling and processing of seafarer welfare cases.
  • Visit seafarers/fishers on board vessels nationally as and when required.
Communication and Networking
  • Maintaining effective communication channels, building relationships and networks with relevant stakeholders such as SAIMI, port authorities, shipping companies, seafarer welfare organizations, fishing labour organizations etc.
Compliance
  • Ensure all work is conducted within SAMSA's policies and externally ensure compliance with all relevant seafarer welfare legislation.
Training and capacity building
  • Develop guidelines and deliver seafarer welfare awareness programs to seafarers, stakeholders and SAMSA employees.
Research and analysis
  • Conducting desktop research and analysis to identify emerging issues and trends related to seafarer/fisher welfare.
Reporting 
  • Prepare periodic reports on seafarer/fisher welfare activities, statistical data, program evaluations and trend analysis
Social awareness Projects    
  • Mainstream the GBV agenda within the maritime industry by initiating campaigns.
  • Produce GBV and other seafarer/fisher welfare educational material for seafarers/fishers and stakeholders.
  • Conduct seafarer welfare awareness campaign in the fishing communities in collaboration with other government departments/entities and stakeholders.
  • Conduct awareness campaigns on board vessels.
 
 
*Tasks may also include any other work that may be required from time to time (not listed above) as instructed by management.
 
REQUIREMENTS
 
QUALIFICATIONS
  • Grade 12- Matric
  • Bachelor of Social Work (minimum) or equivalent qualification
  • Specialized Training in counselling
  • Candidate must be proficient in the use of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Access, and Outlook)
  • Registration with the South African Council for Social Service Professions (SACSSP) or equivalent regulatory body
  • ​Drivers license and have own vehicle.
 
EXPERIENCE
  • At least 3 years' experience in a social work
  • At least 3 years' experience in counselling
  • Experience in GBV cases (advantageous)
  • Experience in the Maritime Industry (advantageous)
 
COMPETENCIES
  • Counselling Skills
  • Organisation skills
  • Analytical skills
  • Trauma counselling skills
  • Networking skills
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills.
  • Ability to associate, relate and communicate with people from across racial, ethnic, religious, cultural, regional, national and languages spectrum.
  • Ability to work at height – boarding vessels.
  • Ability to travel locally and internationally.

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Should you meet the requirements as set out above, please e-mail your CV to: Amahle Mbatha at recruitment2@samsa.o​rg.za
 
CLOSING DATE: 28 August 2023
 
As we are committed to Employment Equity in our employment practices, it is our intention to appoint individuals with the aim of meeting our equity objectives. Preference will be given to members of the designated groups to achieve the objectives of Employment Equity. Candidates with disability are encouraged to apply.
 
Please note: SAMSA reserves the right not to make an appointment to any advertised position. No late applications will be considered. Psychometric and other assessments may be used as part of the selection process and all shortlisted candidates will be required to be available for the tests. If you have not been contacted within 1 month of the closing date as mentioned above, kindly deem your application unsuccessful.