Senior Chaplain

GeneralMin 2 YearsGeneral roles at Mercy Ships are a wonderful way to serve. From hospitality to communications, finance to sanitation, we have a host of roles to match your skills and experience.This role is currently closed to applicants.But we’d love to help you find your place on board!Click below to sign up to receive updates when opportunities like this become available.I’m InterestedDriven to provide hope & healing.Mercy Ships is an international charity that brings hope and healing to the world’s forgotten poor through state-of-the-art hospital ships. Since 1978, our volunteer crew—made up of medical professionals and skilled workers from over 60 nations—has delivered free surgeries and medical care to over 2.8 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa, transforming lives one patient and one port at a time. Join our global team of over 3,000 volunteers and help us change lives daily.About This RoleAs Senior Chaplain, you will set a vision for spiritual development while you encourage and equip Crew to fulfill their calling, first to God, and then within Mercy Ships.The Senior Chaplain leads a diverse team of Chaplains in their aim to provide spiritual and moral guidance to all Crew members. You will creatively minister in multi-cultural, multi-denominational settings while also providing a safe, and confidential harbor for the Crew to share their burdensThis position may qualify for a family cabin. If you have school-age children, learn more about Mercy Ships Academy.RequirementsEach role with Mercy Ships calls for a unique blend of experience, skills, and qualifications. The info below outlines what’s needed to serve effectively in this position—to meet operational standards and to help you thrive as part of the team.Commitment Min 2 YearsWhat you will contributeLead your team in meeting the diverse worship and observance practices in our community of faithEncourage and lead in prayer, intercessions, and discipleshipLead, host, and/or facilitate small groupsIdentify, train, and release spiritual giftings in Crew members to increase ministry within the community onboardTeach and assign teachings in Community Gatherings and Sunday night servicesServe as a listener and encourager to the Crew onboard. You will also be available to Crew for coaching or relational counselingBe sensitive to people, listen and encourage; should be one who is known and trusted by othersProvide counsel/mentorship for those in spiritual need and comfort the bereavedProvide critical incident stress debriefing for individuals and teamsConnect with, visit, and keep up with any Crew who are seriously illFor This Role, You Will NeedSuccessful completion of Mercy Ships On Boarding program To be a mature individual who has recognized pastoral giftingTwo Or More Years Of Professional Ministry Experience PreferredAbility to lead a culturally and denominationally diverse team.A Master’s level of education in Christian ministry or equivalent, or four years minimum related experience and/or training, or equivalent combination of education and experienceMust have traveled internationally for at least two years and/or have extensive experience living in a multicultural Christian communityAbility and comfortable to minister effectively in a multi-denominational settingFlexibility and creativity in methods of ministering to the multi-national, multi-cultural CrewAbout The TeamYou’ll be part of a Volunteer Team that’s most relevant to your role, working side by side with a diverse community of volunteers using their skills to serve, and supporting daily life on board.Frequently asked questions.We are so excited that you are interested in learning more about serving with us. These are the most common questions we receive for this department. Please contact us if you have additional questions.SCAM ALERT: Please be aware of recruitment scams. Mercy Ships will never charge any fees as a part of the recruitment process. For more info click here.What are the medical requirements to serve with Mercy Ships?Click here for a list of medical requirements to serve, including required immunizations.What kinds of positions are available?The complex nature of Mercy Ships projects and programs demands a wide range of skills. We need biomedical technicians, sterilization technicians, marine officers, engineers and ratings, teachers, mechanics, and photographers, and so much more.For a current list of opportunities, please click here .How much does it cost to serve with Mercy Ships?Crew fees are currently paused. Volunteers will be notified of any changes six months prior to crew fee reinstatement.Volunteers pay for their transportation to and from the ship’s location as well as monthly crew fees and all personal expenses. Crew fees are paid by every adult crewmember and vary depending on the length of commitment as well as the volunteer’s country of residence. Click here to see a sample budget.Typical expenses include crew fees, travel to and from the ship, personal expenses for socializing / stocking up on toiletries, travel insurance, and lattes from the cafe!We are excited to offer financial aid to crew with commitments of 24+ months and for any crew in qualifying maritime roles.What languages do I need to know? English proficiency is required for all positions in Mercy Ships, and fluency is required for some positions. French is beneficial , but not required unless stated on the job description.For English proficiency, while Mercy Ships does not currently require proof of examination, we use the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) as a reference for English proficiency. All volunteers must be at level B1 on the CEFR scale (Independent User – Threshold or Intermediate) or higher in order to join on board.Level B1 SummaryCan understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc.Can deal with situations likely to arise while traveling in an area where the language is spoken.Can produce simple connected text on topics that are familiar or of personal interest.Can describe experiences and events, dreams, hopes, and ambitions and briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans.You may refer to the full summary of each level by clicking hereHow far in advance should I apply to volunteer with Mercy Ships?If possible, applications should be sent in for processing at least 6 to 8 months in advance. For some positions and for some time periods, additional time is required. If you wish to apply as a family, we recommend applying at least one year in advance of when you would like to join.Is this a volunteer position?Yes, all Mercy Ships ship-based positions are unpaid, volunteer opportunities.Who can apply?Mercy Ships welcomes a wide range of skills and demographics – we have a place onboard for you! Here are a few details to keep in mind: All Volunteers must be aged between 18 and 79 years. Applicants aged between 70-79 years can serve for up to 6 months at a time before they must have a health review. (The minimum age for a child accompanying parents is 6 months old.) Married couples and families are welcome to apply!Where are the ships? How do I travel to a ship?Mercy Ships primarily delivers care and service in West Africa. All volunteers fly into an airport close to a ship’s port location and are transported to their ship by a Mercy Ships representative. (Don’t worry! Our team will guide you when the time comes to book your air travel.) Sailing isn’t involved unless your service dates line up with a sail – we remain in port for 10 months. For more info on our ships, visit Our ShipsLooking for more information? View our general FAQs to learn about life on board, volunteering, and more.General FAQsThe experience of a lifetime is calling.More than 1,200 volunteers from over 60 nations serve with Mercy Ships each year.At Mercy Ships, we are proud to be recognized around the world for the life-changing surgeries and training we deliver. We could not achieve this without our dedicated community of talented volunteers.Imagine finishing your shift and stepping onto deck as the sun sets—knowing that today you’ve helped transform the lives of those who need it most. Apply now to start a journey that will reshape the lives of those you serve—and your own.Captain Perez, Africa Mercy & Global MercyRachel Lubitz, Project Assistant, Global MercyFind Your Place On BoardFaith-Led Commitment to Diversity & InclusionMercy Ships is a faith-based organization welcoming volunteers from diverse backgrounds and experiences who are committed to our mission and values. All qualified applicants will receive consideration.Beware of Imposters: Confirm All Volunteer CommunicationsVolunteer opportunities and invitations to serve will always come directly from Mercy Ships’ official volunteer engagement teams. Never provide personal information to anyone without confirming their connection to Mercy Ships.“I think you get lifelong friends in a different way than I’ve done back home. I like the variety of people, cultures, and views.”Maria Ekstrand — Dining Room Team Leader“The more I'm seeing peoples' lives being transformed, the more I realize this isn't me giving away two years, it's me gaining two years. For me, it's more like a gift.”Eugene Ampadu (Videographer, Africa Mercy, Senegal.)