Before going on the field, it is important to be well informed.
We have compiled the most frequently asked questions in order to provide you with all the information you need before applying to work in an MSF mission.
No. MSF has various recruitment offices around the world.
If you apply through the MSF Switzerland website, when clicking on "Apply," you will need to select your country of residence, which will redirect you:
either to the application form on the MSF Switzerland site
or to the website of the MSF section that will manage your application
There is no minimum or maximum age requirement to work in a mission with MSF, although applications must meet other criteria, such as good overall health, professional maturity (at least 2 years in a similar position), or recent clinical experience for medical professions.
MSF staff are free to apply wherever they wish; however, priority is given to the section that currently employs you.
There are certain criteria that apply to all profiles, such as:
Additionally, we seek the following personal qualities:
Please identify the position that would best suit you and check the specific requirements: See all job profiles here.
We understand that some individuals may hesitate to apply for a job if they do not meet all the requirements. Studies show that this is particularly true for women. If you believe your profile fits the position, we encourage you to apply even if you do not meet all the requirements. Applications must be submitted online.
To work for MSF, you need to have obtained your university degree and completed your medical training. We have a minimum requirement of three years’ post-diploma hospital experience. For specialized profiles, such as gynaecologists, surgeons, paediatricians, psychiatrists, or anaesthetists, a specialization degree is also required.
As we receive many applications, we look for as broad a range of experience as possible. Versatility is key, so that you are able to work in different types of contexts. Experience is essential as we expect a high level of autonomy from our medics in the missions.
A minimum amount of overseas experience is clearly an asset. This may consist of several short placements or one longer period of travel or work.
A Diploma in Tropical Medicine is essential if you wish to work for MSF as a Nurse, unless you have a minimum of two to three months’ experience working in a tropical context. In Switzerland, the Diploma can be obtained from the Tropical Institute in Basel (Courses in German and English). A course in French is also offered in Antwerp, Belgium.
MSF receives a very large number of applications each year for all profiles. Please refer to the detailed information on selection criteria and job profile descriptions on the dedicated page.
The recruitment criteria are the minimum requirements specifically defined for each profile according to our operational needs. At MSF OCG, we are committed to an inclusive culture that supports and amplifies the diverse voices of our staff. We strive to create workplaces where teams of people with diverse backgrounds, characteristics, perspectives, ideas, and experiences work together to advance MSF's social mission and achieve better outcomes for our patients and the communities we serve.
We understand that some people may hesitate to apply for a job if they do not meet all the requirements. Studies show that this is particularly true for women. If you think your profile fits this position, we encourage you to apply even if you do not meet all the required conditions.
We welcome applications from individuals of all genders, ages, sexual orientations, ethnicities, backgrounds, religions, beliefs, abilities, and other diverse characteristics.
MSF does not tolerate exploitation and sexual abuse, or any form of discrimination or harassment, including sexual harassment. Selected individuals will be subject to reference checks.
French and English are the official languages of MSF. We need people to feel comfortable working in one on those languages and have at least basic skills of the other. Fluency in any other language is an asset for your application and increases your chances of being assigned to a mission. Speaking Arabic, Russian, Spanish, or Portuguese is also an asset.
The reality of the contexts where we work require you to be in good general health. MSF will ask you to undergo a medical check-up before leaving for your first mission. This examination is covered by MSF and can be done at the University Hospital of Geneva or with any other medical doctor. If you have concerns about your suitability to accept a mission for health reasons, please discuss this with the medical doctor.
MSF recruits both medical and non-medical staff to work in its projects. All these individuals bring their professional skills, practical experience, and a commitment and concern for the populations they are helping.
Our projects are carried out by local and international staff. Positions are open to everyone and are filled by the most competent individuals, including in coordinator roles. On average, there is one international worker for every ten local workers in most of our projects.
The more diverse your professional experience, the better suited you will be to work in a range of contexts. For medical profiles, for example, we prioritize a versatile clinical approach enriched by experience in emergency services, paediatrics, mother-child care, infectious diseases, etc. Other areas such as hepatitis, chronic diseases, nutrition, and hospital management are also of particular interest to MSF.
MSF Switzerland does not recruit the following types of profiles for international positions:
MSF Switzerland has over 7,000 staff in its missions. Additionally, more than 300 people are employed in our offices in Geneva and Zurich in operational and support roles.
People with disabilities are encouraged to apply for mission and/or headquarters positions.
Respect for equity, inclusion, and diversity allows us to carry out our social mission and serve our patients.
The recruitment team is committed to upholding these values while ensuring a highly qualified and suitable workforce.
MSF usually provides preparation courses for candidates before they are sent on their first assignment. This induction course consists of a three-day general presentation of the organization and its internal functioning. The course will also introduce you to cross-functional teamwork and the realities of the field. According to needs, several days of specific training (medical, logistics, administrative) may also be included.
MSF organizes and pays for a project-specific briefing just before your mission departure. Additional briefings are organized in the mission, at the Coordination and project levels.
We are unable to assign couples together for their first mission since specific assignments worldwide depend on each individual's skills. It can also be difficult to place a couple in the same location for the same duration, even when individuals have previously worked for MSF, because positions become available at different times. Safety and housing conditions also make it difficult for couples to be placed.
Please refer to our page that explains the application process in detail, from your application to your mission departure. Consult the “How to apply” section.
Gather and read as much information as possible about MSF and our work and think about your motivation. Additionally, MSF Switzerland requires you to attend one of our regular information sessions, either online or in person, to prepare and ask questions to ensure that MSF is the right organization for you. In any case, we recommend that you carefully read the "Working with us" section on our website, which will help you prepare your application.
It is rare for MSF to post a job offer for a specific country or project.
To respond to medical emergencies, MSF recruits applicants into different professional reserve lists, (also referred to as “pools”). MSF then assigns a specific position in a designated country to candidates within the pool, based on their skills, technical experience and personal background.
MSF expects you to demonstrate flexibility regarding the location of your assignment so that we can meet our missions’ needs. However, if you have special skills, speak additional languages, or have restrictions, these will be considered for each assignment.
Our career manager processes your application and makes a proposal based on your profile and the requirements of the position (technical and language skills, professional experience, and specific context-related constraints). The final decision on the selection of a candidate is made by the colleagues directly responsible of the project (at the headquarters and in the mission country).
With the pool system, you will be able to receive proposals for postings once the recruitment process has been completed. On average, the recruitment process takes from one to three months. The mission proposal (also called “matching”) can take one day to several months, as it all depends on the needs of the field missions. Indeed, you might not be offered an assignment until several weeks or months after your ideal departure date. It is your responsibility to organize your incomes in between missions.
It is important to know that our pool system requires significant flexibility from you. Please think about the amount of notice you will need (between the moment we contact you for an assignment and the earliest possible departure date) to be able to organize yourself. Even though we greatly value applicants who can be available immediately, we recommend that you do not leave your current job until you have been offered a posting by MSF. Please factor your job notice period into the departure timeframe that you specify to us during the recruitment process. We will strive to respect your indicated notice period.
You will receive a contract for the duration of each posting. Therefore, you will be expected to make your own arrangements between assignments.
You can apply as soon as you have the required skills for the position in question and have definite availability dates. Ideally, you would apply three to six months before your earliest availability.
No, all interviews take place online. However, interviews in Geneva are possible. Once recruited, you may be invited to Geneva for pre-departure briefings or debriefings upon your return from a mission.
Yes, all stages of the recruitment process are free of charge: access to job offers, submission of applications, and all various stages of the recruitment process. No fees are required to create a file. If anyone asks you for money to apply to MSF, you are on a fraudulent site; never accept to pay anything to apply with us.
In most projects, you will live and work in stressful conditions and must forgo many things you take for granted at home.
Living conditions vary from one place to another. MSF strives to provide appropriate working and living conditions that enhance the success of its programs while considering the local standard of living. In regular missions, we aim to provide individual rooms for each international staff member. Common areas (kitchen, dining room, etc.) are shared with other team members. However, during emergency missions, living conditions may be very basic.
Please be aware that life on a mission will likely be radically different from your daily life; personal time and privacy may be scarce, and in some projects, email or phone communication may be complicated and at your own expense.
Living conditions in the missions (security, housing, etc.) make it impossible to be accompanied by children or partners on a first placement. However, you may plan a visit elsewhere during your vacation. It is possible that MSF may later authorize a family or couple mission, for example, in Coordination team positions, if living conditions allow (safety, access to medical or educational facilities). This is discussed on a case-by-case basis.
The standard duration of a first mission is six months. The assignments for specialist doctors, such as anesthetists, gynecologists, and surgeons, range from eight weeks to three months. This is not the case for other profiles whose missions are a minimum of six months.
For subsequent missions, depending on the needs of the country, the duration may be shortened in emergencies (from several weeks to three months) or extended (from six to twelve months, for example) in more stable contexts. Coordination positions correspond to longer missions, ranging from one to two years.
MSF primarily seeks candidates who are willing to commit long-term, that is, for more than one mission. One or more rest periods are included in this duration, as it is important to rest between different missions. We encourage you to discuss your rest period with your career manager upon your return from your first mission.
Working hours vary significantly depending on the project and generally include an average of one day off per week. The work pace is often intense, leading to long hours, especially in emergencies. However, it is crucial that you find time to rest and relax.
Working for MSF is not without risks, but the safety of personnel is one of the organization's highest priorities. Security is directly related to the professional risks associated with the context, mission, and nature of the organization, as well as risks related to individual behaviours. Dangers range from car accidents to hygiene and infection risks and include those linked to conflicts in which we may intervene; they can also arise from interpersonal conflicts, attitudes, and management practices.
MSF implements risk management procedures and safety guidelines for each mission. The on-site security officer outlines the safety rules for each project to minimize risks. However, ensuring your safety is both MSF’s institutional responsibility and your own individual responsibility.
Every international staff member is briefed before departure regarding the specific security conditions of their mission. It is therefore your responsibility, regardless of your experience, to read and understand all necessary information provided to you before your departure and to seek additional information (beyond prejudices and tourist knowledge) that helps you make an informed decision. Based on this information, you may determine that the security situation is not suitable for you. You then have the option to decline the mission offer, explaining the reasons for your decision.
Security rules may limit your movements outside of the MSF residence or medical facility, as well as your interactions with the local population, even during your off-hours. Once your workday is finished, there may be a curfew requiring you to remain within the MSF compound after a certain hour. As an international staff member, you must agree to represent MSF seven days a week, even when you are not working or during your leave. Compliance with security guidelines and existing rules is non-negotiable.
It is important to consider any potential constraints that may affect you (specific national contexts, geographical areas, or other limitations) so that you can discuss them openly during the interview. For an overview of the countries where we are currently active, please consult this link.
Furthermore, during your mission, you will be away from your family and friends for several months. Their understanding of the country where you will be working may be biased by the information they receive from the media. Additionally, you may have limited or no access to communication networks. It is crucial to prepare for this potential lack of contact to reduce stress for both you and them.
MSF engages in meaningful humanitarian medical work. As a socially responsible organization, MSF also offers career opportunities, modest compensation, and attractive benefits. Here is an overview of what MSF offers.
As a volunteer organization, MSF provides a salary commensurate with our pay scale and your roles and responsibilities.
In addition to the salary, you receive a comprehensive package of financial and social benefits.
MSF covers the transportation costs from your place of residence to the project site and back. MSF also takes care of all costs related to visa formalities.
During your posting, MSF will provide you with accommodation in an MSF structure. You will usually be allocated an individual bedroom (in a house, hut, tent or other). You will share common areas (bathroom, living room, kitchen, etc.) with other colleagues. In emergency situations, you may have to share a room with one or more colleagues. Please note that in most missions we employ locally recruited staff to manage the cleaning of living spaces, laundry, and meal preparation.
During your mission and for up to three months after your return, you are covered by MSF’s medical insurance. If you need to advance medical expenses, MSF will reimburse you upon presentation of invoices. Please note that this insurance is valid only for you and does not cover any family members. It includes repatriation costs if necessary.
Swiss residents must continue to pay for mandatory health insurance (LAMAL) to maintain coverage. MSF reimburses LAMAL contributions. Any supplementary insurance you may have remains at your own expense.
You are also entitled to one week of leave every three months. Depending on the mission policy and security situation, your vacation may be taken in your home country, within the country of mission or in a neighbouring country. If you remain in the country, all associated costs are your responsibility. If you leave the country for your vacation, MSF will transport you to the nearest airport. All other expenses are your responsibility.
When working for MSF, you are entitled to one week of leave every three months.
MSF provides comprehensive health insurance during your mission. The insurance covers you for three months after your return home. It also covers repatriation in case of evacuation from the mission for medical reasons.
Please contact your Human Resources Coordinator or your HR Manager in the mission, who will provide you with further information regarding the policy and application process for the international pool. You can also find more information on this page.
MSF offers a dynamic work environment with numerous medium- and long-term career opportunities within the organization. Your career manager will discuss the various possibilities with you and guide you step by step, always considering operational opportunities and constraints.
For example, varied experience within MSF can lead to mission Coordination roles or advisory positions in our operational centres. A nurse joining the organization today could become a medical coordinator or mission leader tomorrow, or could choose to remain in the medical field focusing on emergencies or explore a new medical context.
MSF offers training programs that allow staff to specialize and gain expertise in one of MSF’s areas of activity.
Some international staff may also wish to take on new challenges at headquarters level.
MSF strongly encourages you to continue working for the organization after your first mission, as your experience is invaluable to the effectiveness of our work. We therefore offer various career opportunities to our mission staff. You can enhance your professional experience by working on a wide range of projects and benefit from training provided by MSF and external providers.
Unfortunately, we cannot offer such placements if you are still a medical student. We are a professional organization and send only full graduates on our missions. Moreover, the primary role of MSF staff is to work independently and train local personnel. It is therefore important that physicians are at a stage in their careers that allows them to assume this role. MSF cannot supervise internships for medical interns in the contexts where we operate.
However, we do maintain close collaboration with certain hospitals, such as the University Hospitals of Geneva (HUG), with whom we have established a partnership to send interns on missions to fulfil certain roles. If you are studying at HUG and are interested in this option, please contact the HUG administration.
Diversifying your professional experience by working in hospitals is advantageous (e.g., emergency care, pediatrics, mother-child care, infectious diseases). Other fields such as chronic disease, nutrition, and hospital management are of particular interest to MSF. Training in these areas is highly valued. Experience in a tropical country or obtaining a diploma in tropical medicine is also good preparation.
We are looking for training, supervision, and management skills, so it can be useful to develop these if you have the opportunity. Knowledge of another language is also an asset and, in some cases, required depending on our operations.
For security reasons, and to offer the highest quality and most effective support to populations in need, we do not offer any internships in our missions. Our volunteers and international staff must be operational and capable of working independently.
Yes, we accept a limited number of administrative volunteers and interns in our offices in Geneva and Zurich. Please visit the dedicated page for volunteering and internships on the MSF website for further details.
For any additional inquiries, please contact our Field Recruitment Unit at recruitment@geneva.msf.org.
