Working for MSF

You can find all of our roles and descriptions here. Please note we are unable to provide you with advice on which role to apply for. 

MSF UK can only accept applications for overseas project positions from UK residents who have a valid permit to work in the UK. If you don't have this we can't accept your application.

If you're not a UK resident contact your nearest MSF office in order to apply for a position.

While you don’t need to be based in the UK to apply, our recruitment process, including tests and interviews, take place in London, and applicants are expected to attend these in person. We are unable to cover travel costs at this stage.

Successful candidates must be able to attend induction, training and briefings in London. We can only finance travel arrangements for these events from addresses in the UK.

Travel costs 

We'll cover all travel costs to and from the project where you'll work. This includes all flights (based on economy class fares).

Accommodation 

Accommodation will be provided in the project, as well as during travel to and from the project where required.

Safety and security 

Your safety and wellbeing is very important to us. You'll be fully briefed on this prior to travelling to a project.

If you need to leave a project early for reasons related to safety and security, your own wellbeing, or for any other reason, we'll always organise and cover transport back home.

Travel and health insurance 

We provide travel and health insurance for all our international staff.

Detailed criteria can be found on the role description pages. We can only accept applications from people who meet our strict requirements and applications must be made online.

Our shortlisting is based on:

  • applicants that meet our criteria
  • applicants with the specific skills needed in our projects at the time

The specific skills we need can change quickly depending on the projects that we're working in. These needs and our projects can change quickly.

Eg: If you're a nurse and meet our criteria but lack experience in one of the following:

  • infectious diseases
  • A&E
  • intensive care
  • obstetrics
  • nutrition
  • paediatrics
  • or operating theatre.

you may still be unsuccessful.

We recruit medical and non-medical staff to work in our projects. All of these people bring professional abilities, practical experience, as well as a commitment to and concern for the people they help.

Our projects are mostly staffed by host-country colleagues, with minimal international presence. On average, for every international staff member assigned to a specific project, there are seven locally hired staff members working alongside them.

Our policy is that if you've been employed in the armed forces you can apply for MSF roles two years after leaving the military.

Contact us for our Armed Forces policy if you need more information.

We don't accept anyone who's currently a member of the Army Reserve.

As a trained reserve force, members may be liable to a compulsory call-up to military service under the Reserve Forces Act 1996. MSF must be able to send staff to crisis zones around the world without the risk of those staff not being available or potentially being pulled out of their assignment to serve within the British army.

In addition, a conflict of interests and loyalties would arise if a staff member was a member of both a military organisation and an independent humanitarian one. MSF observes strict impartiality and neutrality in all our projects. These principles would be compromised if active project staff were also members of a military organisation.”

Having a criminal record won't necessarily bar you from working with us. It depends on the nature of the position and the circumstances and background of your offences.

As an organisation we use the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) to assess applicants' suitability for positions.

Please ask for our policy statement on the recruitment of ex-offenders for more information.

We can consider applications from qualified ODPs, but these candidates will only be appropriate for OT nurse positions which are much less common than the general Nurse post in MSF.

If an ODP has sufficient professional experience (minimum 2 years) they can apply, making clear on their motivation letter that they are applying for OT Nurse post.

 

We do not recruit dentists or hygienists. 

We are not hiring nutritionists at the current time.

The treatment of malnutrition is managed by our nurses and doctors (with nutrition experience or qualifications). Technical details are found in guidelines and we sometimes also use local nutritionists or nutrition nurses in the locations where we are working.

Treating malnutrition is always part of a larger medical programme (for example: part of a maternal and child health project or a measles outbreak response)

Food security matters (with which we are often only lightly involved) are managed by humanitarian advisors and country managers.

At a future point, there may be a need for a small number of nutritionists for our more complex hospital projects, but this is not imminent and therefore we are not currently accepting applications.

We are not hiring mental health nurses at the current time as there are not enough eligible overseas project positions for that profile.

MSF does not currently recruit paramedics for our pool of international staff.

MSF works in many different contexts and the vast majority (often around 90%) of our workforce is made up of locally recruited staff. In locations where we need paramedical skills these positions are filled by locally recruited staff, trained and supervised by medical doctors or nurses. While we value the skills and expertise of the paramedical profession, we do not have opportunities for them as paramedic in our international teams. However, if you have significant international experience, and technical, administrative or management skills, you may fit the criteria for one of our non-medical roles in logistical or coordination positions.

We are not currently recruiting physiotherapists.

We suggest checking the recruitment websites of Humanity & Inclusion or the International Committee of the Red Cross to see if they are currently recruiting any physiotherapist roles.

We are not currently recruiting ophthalmologists or optometrists.

We suggest checking the websites of Orbis and Eye Care Without Borders to see if they have any available positions.

Yes, we can!

If you do not yet meet the requirements for working with MSF or your profession is not listed you may wish to look at the following organisations which also operate abroad.

Health workers

Other skilled personnel (teachers etc)

Veterinarians

Ophthalmology

Dentists

Pilots

Physiotherapists

Environment

Human rights

Other

Useful resources for working overseas

Books

  • Wilson M, 2004, The medics guide to working around the world, Second edition, Arnold, London
  • Griffith S, 2004, Gap years for grown-ups, First edition, Vacation work publication, Oxford
  • Pybus V, 2005, International voluntary work, Ninth edition, Vacation work publications, Oxford

Websites

  • ReliefWeb provides information about humanitarian issues, including job opportunities.
  • World Service Enquiry provides information and advice about working or volunteering overseas.
  • BOND is a networking organisation providing courses, job vacancies etc.
  • RedR-IHE provides training courses related to humanitarian work.
  • CharityJob provides a comprehensive database of opportunities in the charitable sector.
  • Global Health Jobs UK is a specialist job-board for professionals seeking job opportunities in global health.

MSF sends approximately 3,000 international staff to work in projects each year and employs around 27,000 host-country staff. In addition, there are 33 MSF offices around the world supporting our projects and providing various other functions, which employ over 600 permanent staff.

Medical students and volunteers

We have a minimum requirement of one year's experience post F2 through a combination of the following:

  • a training programme
  • medical experience
  • NGO experience
  • overseas experience.

As we receive many applications, we look for as wide a range of experience as possible. This can be made up of different placements but longer placements may better reflect in-depth experience in working in unstable/difficult situations.

Experience is necessary as we expect a high level of autonomy from our medics in the field.

Unfortunately we can't offer elective placements for medical students. Many of the places we work in are unstable and we try to maintain a minimum international presence. 

Equally, a major part of any role with MSF involves working autonomously and training local staff, therefore it's important you are at a stage of your career where you feel comfortable with this.

Areas that are of particular interest to MSF are:

Training in these areas is highly desirable.

We also look for teaching, supervision and management skills. Fluency in another language would also be valuable, especially French or Arabic.

It's essential to have a minimum of three months travel or work experience in a low-income country or countries. This can be formed of shorter placements or one longer period of travel.

No we don't provide gap year placements.

Yes, we accept a number of office volunteers and office interns in our London office. Visit the volunteers and internships page for more details.

MSF UK is a small, non-operational office focusing on recruitment, fundraising and communications within the UK. We receive a huge number of research requests every week and simply don't have the time to support these.

Application requirements for medical professionals

To work through MSF UK you need to have completed a minimum of two year's clinical practice after gaining a full license to practice from the General Medical Council (GMC). In practice, this means full completion of the full Foundation programme plus two further years at post FY2 level (Foundation Year 2). This is the equivalent of having completed two years of clinical practice at SHO level.

Please note that you will need to have and retain both the GMC’s Registration and licence to practice to work through the MSF UK office.

We strongly recommend you hold a Diploma in Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (DTM+H) or equivalent qualification from a recognised institution unless you have significant experience of working in a relevant setting already.

Previous overseas experience and additional languages (especially French and Arabic) are prioritised.

The Diploma in Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (DTM+H) is essential for doctors wishing to work for MSF, unless they can demonstrate significant experience working in resource challenged or humanitarian intervention settings already.
 
MSF recognises DTM+H qualifications from the following institutions:
•    Worshipful Society of Apothecaries DTM+H
•    London School of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
•    Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
•    School of Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nagasaki
 
We also recognise the Certificate of Knowledge in Tropical Medicine and Travellers Health granted by the ASTM+H  (American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene). If you hold a DTM+H from one of the CTropMed accredited courses, this is also recognised by MSF.
 
We recognise that the landscape of medical qualification is changing rapidly, so if you believe that you hold a relevant qualification that is not listed here, please do get in touch.

Yes, we do!

The Global Health and Humanitarian Medicine Course (GHHM course) is designed to equip medical doctors with the medical knowledge and skills to work in low resource and humanitarian intervention settings.

Organised by MSF, it is a part time, online, blended learning course. It provides up-to-date teaching and practical guidance on Clinical Infectious Diseases, Global Public Health, Women’s and Child Health, Non-communicable Diseases and Mental Health and Humanitarian Medicine, with contributions from clinicians and colleagues from academic institutions and international organisations (including MSF) across the globe. The GHHM course is also an accredited DTM+H preparatory course.

You can find out more about MSF's GHHM course here, download the GHHM Course Prospectus for a full breakdown of the course or read the FAQs page for more details. 

We receive a large number of applications every year, so it's unlikely you'll be accepted to work with MSF if you don't meet the essential requirements for a role.

Our shortlisting is based on:

  • candidates meeting the role criteria
  • candidates with the specific skills needed in the project

The specific skills we need change depending on the projects that we're working in. These needs and our projects can change quickly.

It's not possible to honour specific country requests. We recruit applicants into a pool before matching them to a specific position based on their skills, experience and background.

We expect candidates to be flexible about where they work so that we can meet the needs of our projects.

However, your special skills, languages and restrictions will be taken into consideration in each placement.

We're usually unable to place couples together on their first assignment as individuals are matched to specific vacancies across the world, based on their skills.

It can also be difficult to place a couple in the same place at the same time even when they have experience with MSF as vacancies become available at different times.

MSF UK can only accept applications from UK nationals or non-UK national with a residency and eligibility to work in the UK since while working in one of our overseas projects, you'll be on a UK contract. 

If you'd like to work for MSF but you're not a UK resident you can apply through your local MSF office.

English is the official MSF language. However, fluency in another language will enhance your application and the possibility of placement.

At the moment demand is high for fluent French and Arabic speakers.

Applicants who can speak Russian, Spanish, Hindi or Urdu will also be at an advantage.

The length of a first assignment is between nine and 12 months for all professions, except anaesthetists and surgeons who, due to the intensity of their work, are placed in projects from six weeks to three months.

The application process on average takes around four to six months.

You can apply as soon as you have definite dates of availability and normally around eight months before you want to go.

Working hours vary considerably depending on the project with, on average, one day off per week. Work can be hectic and you may be required to put in longer hours. However, time is normally set aside for rest and relaxation.

There is no minimum or maximum age for participation in MSF projects, although there are other criteria that you must fulfill.

Living conditions (security, housing, etc.) often make it difficult for staff to be accompanied by children or partners who aren't participating in the project.

We have a very small number of family postings for experienced MSF country coordinators for limited periods.

Compensation, pay and benefits

Field staff join a salary grid, where salary depends on responsibility involved in the position and also the amount of previous experience. All general living costs in the project are covered by MSF.

MSF covers the following expenses:

  • Return economy air travel for the most direct and cost-effective route between the UK and the project. This may include a stopover for briefing and debriefing in Europe.
  • Reimbursement for the cost of obtaining necessary visas (typically these are paid directly by MSF when organising your visa)
  • Vaccinations not available on the NHS.
  • Accommodation and transportation during your contract (including briefings and debriefings).
  • Per diem based on the cost of living in your project country.
  • All training costs if you are placed on one of our preparation courses.
  • Health insurance, including medical evacuations and repatriation, whilst on assignment and for up to three months after return to UK

You're entitled to 28 days paid holiday per year pro rata.

In the UK we offer a personal pension plan to project staff after the completion of three months of service. Contributions paid by you and MSF build up in your own retirement account.

Our contributions are dependent upon the percentage of salary you choose to contribute.

You'll be required to complete a Health Declaration Form and undertake pre-departure health checks with an MSF appointed clinic, which will assess your health before you leave for your assignment.

All medical information is treated confidentially and won't be shared without your consent.

We'll arrange and cover all your health insurance while working with MSF. This will continue for up to three months once you return to the UK. In the event of medical evacuations, repatriation is also covered.

We arrange insurance cover which care and, if necessary, repatriation for field staff

Career development

Yes, MSF is committed to the people that make up the organisation, and we offer learning and development opportunities at different stages of your career with us. There is a variety of options available, from learning on the job to in-house training to (limited) funding for personal training needs.

Pre-departure preparation and induction

All new staff are offered a five-day pre-departure training that will cover some of the basic skills you will need in your first project. MSF UK also offers a two-day induction for all field staff that covers topics like humanitarian ethics and dilemmas, how to prepare for your first project and how to prepare for returning home again.

Learning on the job

In your first role, you will have many responsibilities directly related to the technical skills for which we’ve hired you. Whether these are medical or para-medical skills, or non-medical skills like human resources, finance, engineering, supply, etc. But there are often additional things expected of you; from team management to negotiation, context awareness, and the flexibility to step in to cover other roles. These opportunities will help you develop new skills by learning on the job.

MSF training

MSF offers a variety of in-house training on topics relevant for staff working in our projects, such as technical medical skills, humanitarian affairs, emergency response, water and sanitation, different levels of general management, and security management.

MSF training opportunities are normally available when you are working in an MSF project, or when you are in-between projects. Please discuss this with your line manager in the project or with your HR officer after you’ve passed the recruitment process.

External training

Of course, MSF cannot cover all training needs in-house. We offer our staff different options to fund external trainings for personal development needs, where they align with your role and career plans in MSF. This includes support for professional CPD requirements and medical or para-medical revalidation costs (partial reimbursement as our funds are limited).

Language courses

As MSF works in several French-speaking contexts in West and Central Africa, speaking French is a strong asset for us and a requirement for some roles. Where French is a pre-condition, we expect you to have a strong B1 level.

If you are planned to go to a French-speaking MSF project, we are sometimes able to offer a one- or two-week French immersion course. These offers are made to brush up your skills and boost you to the required level, but you will be required to have brought yourself to a B1 level beforehand.

For more information, please contact your designated Human Resources Officer. If you want to improve your general French language skills on your own, please read the recommendations from Foundation 9, the language school in Brussels with which MSF collaborates.

While we offer our project roles as fixed-term contracts based on the period you are needed in the project, MSF does offer many different career opportunities.

If you continue to work with MSF for multiple projects, something we value highly, you will get the opportunity to grow into roles with broader responsibilities. These could be roles responsible for larger teams or multiple project sites. You might manage complex activities and specialised programmes. Or you could progress to managerial responsibilities for all activities in a country as part of a Country Management Team.

People that stay with MSF for longer periods may get the opportunity to take up management or advisory positions in our operational offices. These offices are in Amsterdam, Barcelona, Brussels, Geneva and Paris. Or a role suitable to you may open in one of our 35 partner offices around the world.

If you would like to read real-life examples of MSFers and their careers, please look at our blog which has many stories from life with MSF.

If you are interested in a career with MSF, please discuss this at your interview, or with your HR officer if you are already on our register. If you have further questions, you can also email hr.enquiries@london.msf.org.

Questions

For any questions not answered in our FAQs, please email: hr.enquiries@london.msf.org

We will respond as soon as possible, usually within two weeks.