FAQ: Recruitment

We recruit doctors and other medical and non-medical staff. Examples include surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurse anesthetists, registered nurses, midwives, mental health professionals, finance and human resources specialists, logisticians, and specialists in construction, electricity, mechanics, or water-and-sanitation.

No. Due to extensive workloads, our field teams are unable to oversee unlicensed staff. All ancillary duties are filled by national staff, both increasing local capacity and maximizing donor contributions.

Yes, as long as applicants fulfill the other minimum requirements, i.e., completion of residency and appropriate licensure.

No. The traditional Physician Assistant role of primary health care provider is done by the national staff in the field. However, Physician Assistants with extensive international NGO experience can still be considered for coordinator level positions.

MSF has no prescribed limit, as physical condition is more important than age. As living conditions in the field can be basic, with hot and cold climate extremes, field staff must provide MSF with medical clearance from a health-care provider certifying fitness to lift and carry a reasonable amount of weight, and the ability to walk distances that one might not at home.

The general criteria for working in the field are at least two years of professional experience in relevant fields, current professional credentials, relevant work or travel experience outside the U.S., and availability for at least nine months (with the exception of surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurse anesthetists, and ob-gyns who may be accepted for shorter assignments). Assets that benefit applicants are flexibility, community service projects, adaptability to basic living conditions, and foreign language skills. See more on our general requirements page.

All new recruits must make a commitment of nine to 12 months.

The exception to this is surgeons, anesthesiologists, and ob-gyns, who can sometimes do missions from six weeks to three months.

1. The applicant completes an online application form, including a motivation letter and a current CV (resume)
2. A Field Human Resources Officer (HRO) screens the application and responds within four weeks of receipt of application.
3. Positively screened applicants are invited to interview with a Field HRO, either in the New York office, or during recruitment visits that are scheduled throughout the year in various U.S. cities. (MSF cannot cover expenses associated with the recruitment process)
4. Following an interview and reference check, suitable applicants are invited to attend Information Days in New York (travel, meals, and lodging are paid for by MSF)
5. Following completion of Information Days, successful applicants are accepted into the pool of active field staff
6. Placement is entirely dependent on field needs, and may take from four weeks to six months

No. All posts for first-time field staff are unaccompanied. Most mission locations do not allow for friends or family members to visit volunteers. Accompanied posts may be offered to experienced MSF staff, depending on field needs.

No. MSF places staff on assignment based on the needs in the field. Proposed field staff do have a final say in mission assignment, though the decision to accept or reject a mission should be based on the security issues and the work of the project.

We accept a number of office volunteers and paid office interns in our US office. Find out more about working in the office.

About three months before a volunteer's availability, MSF will start looking for field vacancies pertinent to professional experience.

• Lists of vacant field positions are provided to MSF-USA by the five Operational Centers in Europe
• Field human resource officers propose staff for appropriate vacancies
• A final decision on placement is taken by the Operational Center after considering relevant candidates from all MSF sections for each vacancy

Many specific vacancies have nine to 12 months duration, thus a field worker with more flexibility can be considered for more vacancies. Specifically, the minimum commitment for financial and human resources coordinators is one year; surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurse anesthetists, and ob-gyns may be accepted for a minimum of six weeks in the field.

Once a mission is confirmed, MSF will be responsible for all travel, visas, and relevant vaccinations. Field workers should assume responsibility for routine health maintenance vaccinations.

MSF will provide staff with:

• Round trip air tickets from home to mission
• Accommodation in NYC/Europe during briefing/debriefing
• Monthly salary of approximately $2,039
• Full medical insurance
• Accommodation in the field (shared housing mostly with private rooms)
• Per diem on mission in local currency

Working with MSF is not reckless. MSF maintains extensive risk-management procedures and security guidelines for every mission. Field workers are briefed on the country security situation before going to the field, and upon arriving at the project site are given specific security protocols. Adherence to our field guidelines for personal and team conduct and safety is not negotiable.

MSF promotes a working environment free of harassment and abuse in countries where we operate. Our leadership has unequivocally committed to fight abuse and to reinforce mechanisms and procedures to prevent and address it. This includes enhancing grievance channels at all levels of the organization and supporting victims and complainants. Victims or witnesses in the communities where MSF works are likewise encouraged to report misconduct to us so that allegations can be properly addressed. Read more about our commitment to fighting abuse, exploitation, and harassment.

MSF provides medical insurance, including coverage for medical evacuation if necessary. In addition, a clinician in each team is responsible for treating minor injuries or illness, and has the capacity to refer to a higher level of care, if necessary.

Duties in the field depend on the project and situation of the mission country. Generally physicians are involved in clinical activities, supervision, and training of national medical personnel, with some administrative duties. This is similar for other medical professions, like nurses, midwives, and other health specialists.