is a medical organisation recruiting medical professionals such as doctors, nurses and midwives, however it would not be able to operate without the support of its non-medical staff such as logisticians, building engineers and water and sanitation experts. Dilapidated or destroyed hospitals and clinics need to be rebuilt and adequate sanitary facilities are essential to prevent epidemics. MSF recruits field staff who are new to MSF and humanitarian aid, as well as experienced field staff.
Whilst MSF recruits a number of international field staff, the majority of the project staff are recruited from the local population in the countries where we work.
Where does MSF work?
MSF is increasingly active in areas of conflict - countries where great numbers of people have been displaced by internal conflicts and war, and where the medical facilities are inadequate. Placements in these areas can be dangerous but our strict security policies ensure that risks to project workers are minimised. The medical activities vary with each project, ranging from simple curative work and mother-child care, to surgery and epidemic control. In some cases, MSF projects may be quite similar to a primary health care programme, helping to build up a medical infrastructure.
How long is a mission?
MSF provides emergency relief but that does not mean these projects are always short-term. Many of the areas in which we operate are affected by long drawn-out conflicts and aid projects can go on for many years. As a result we try to minimise staff turnover for project stability, so the average mission is between nine and twelve months. However, this varies for some positions (eg surgeons and anaesthetists), for time commitments for specific roles please click on the links below.
What positions do we recruit for?
Staffing
Field staff
Every year MSF sends around 3000 doctors, nurses, logisticians, water-and-sanitation experts, administrators and other professionals to work overseas. These field staff join local staff helping populations in danger and give life-saving medical assistance to people who would otherwise be denied access to the most basic healthcare. MSF field staff bring motivation, professional abilities and practical experience to the projects in the field. Working overseas with MSF in often very difficult conditions is tough and demanding but the rewards are immense.
(Source: 2006 MSF International Activity Report)
| International departures (full year): |
2006 |
2005 |
| Medical pool |
1,292 |
28% |
1,276 |
27% |
| Nurses & other paramedical pool |
1,500 |
32% |
1,558 |
33% |
| Non-medical pool |
1,831 |
40% |
1,934 |
40% |
|
4,623 |
100% |
4,768 |
100% |
National staff
In most places where MSF works, there are at least ten local members of staff for every international volunteer. These people form the backbone of every MSF project and without them MSF could not function. Many are trained doctors, nurses and logistics managers with essential local knowledge about customs and language. In unstable situations such as Somalia they know who is trustworthy and who is dangerous, where it is safe to travel and where clan rivalry makes it unsafe. It is the local staff who will continue to provide health care when MSF has moved on or if circumstances force MSF to leave.
|
"In 2004 I joined MSF as it took over the management of the South Galcayo hospital. With MSF involved, an enormous change started to happen. The building has increased fivefold in size. Patients have started to come from regions as far as 700 kilometres away. I’d like to stay with the organisation. MSF is the only international aid organisation which clearly changes something here, and that creates a lot of respect among the people. I’ve had the opportunity to enlarge my surgical skills via training with MSF, and I would like to continue doing so." -- Dr. Amin, senior Somalian staff member |
| Field positions: |
2006 |
2005 |
| International staff |
2,022 |
7% |
2,227 |
8% |
| National staff |
24,959 |
93% |
25,855 |
92% |
| Total: |
26,981 |
100% |
28,083 |
100% |