Most of the jobs on our projects are for at least 6 months, which is why we ask for minimum availability of 12 months to start the selection process. Only two specific posts (surgeons and anaesthetists) are accepted for less time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work with MSF for a short period of time or during summer holidays?
Can I work with MSF before qualifying or as part of my practice?
Being fully qualified for the post is a vital prerequisite to work with MSF in the field. Moreover, candidates should have at least two years’ experience in the area in which they want to work. MSF does not provide work experience in the field.
How long is the selection process? If successful, how long will it be before I am assigned to a mission?
The selection process does not have a fixed duration, although on average it takes 3 to 6 months. It depends on the availability of positions in the field and the candidate’s profile. We take great care to ensure that the right people are selected and that the candidate is given all relevant information about the organisation.
At MSF we are continuously selecting people to travel to the field, although assigning people to a first mission depends on project needs. If your selection process is successful, you will be given a training/induction course lasting for several days before joining a project.
Can I choose where to do my first mission?
MSF assigns the destination of first missions. It is important to bear in mind that MSF seeks professionals who are committed to medical and humanitarian aid work, regardless of the location. As such, flexibility and the ability to adapt are vital for any humanitarian worker at MSF.
During the selection process candidates must be fully informed of the contexts and conditions in which MSF works. However, if expatriates have serious concerns about the place they are assigned to (high perception of insecurity), they must tell the organisation so that other options can be considered.
Can I work in my own country as an expatriate?
No MSF worker whose employment status is an expatriate can work in their own country. Being an expatriate means leaving your country of origin, in this case to carry out international medical and humanitarian aid work for MSF.
Can my family come with me?
The living and working conditions with MSF are rarely compatible with the presence of other people who are not involved with the project. Family members rarely accompany workers, and if they do it depends heavily on security conditions. Each case is considered individually. That said, on the first MSF mission it is never possible to take family members with you.
Can my partner or a dependent come with me on my first mission?
With the exception of coordinators, MSF expatriate staff cannot go to the field with their partner for their first 12 months with the organisation. After this time, if both members of a couple work for MSF they can request to be on the same mission.
Are professionals who work with MSF paid staff or volunteers?
MSF needs qualified staff in the field so it always pays its workers. No other type of work is permitted.
All MSF professionals have a job contract for the entire period they are working on a project. For Spanish citizens and residents contracts fall under Spanish legislation, while for citizens of other European Union countries the contract comes is made in the framework of their country of origin. If the expatriate is not an EU citizen, s/he will be given a moral contract.
Pay is not the main reason why people work for MSF, although the organisation does provide remuneration. The pay table is split into three categories according to type of post (general, coordination and head of mission). In each category there are up to 14 pay levels, depending on experience. In their first year everyone gets the same starting salary or indemnity (approximately €900/month gross), after which proven past professional experience is taken into account.
In addition to their salary, MSF provides all field staff with private insurance, which includes medical, hospital and disability cover as well as any kind of evacuation. It also covers the normal costs of expatriation: a medical check-up before and after the mission, vaccines, travel, accommodation, per diems and so forth.
Can I develop professionally as part of MSF?
Humanitarian aid requires experienced professionals who can offer a high standard of technical and personal skills. Therefore, MSF gives staff who are willing to commit to the organisation the opportunity to grow professionally. To this end we have a professional career development system, which includes promotions, international technical training, grants to do external courses, long-term contracts and support schemes in the field.
Does MSF have a training policy?
We have a training policy for people who work for MSF long-term and make a lasting commitment to the organisation. In addition to the national and international courses we run, we also offer grants for other courses. Staff training is one of our priorities.
Are language skills very important to work in the field?
It is vital to have a good command of English and/or French and/or Arabic, and we prefer knowledge of at least two of these. Because we are an international organisation our teams are made up of people from all over who use the language most spoken in the country where they are working as their lingua franca. Being able to speak various languages is a major asset when it comes to mission assignation and to developing within the organisation and in various contexts.
Is there an age limit for project work?
No, but it’s important to take field living and working conditions into account. Most people are aged between 25 and 40 the first time they work for MSF in the field.
More information on field job offers.
© MSF
