How to apply

MSF Central African Republic Sexual Violence

© Juan Carlos Tomasi/MSF

1) General requirements

Learn more about our recruitment criteria and the next steps in your application: 

  • Commitment to a minimum of 12 months (more than one assignment). 
  • Please consult the position that would suit you best from our list of job profiles.
  • Personal qualities (flexibility, common sense, intercultural sensitivity, stress resilience, proactivity, solution-oriented mindset, etc.). 
  • Physical condition suitable for working in mission countries. Any specific health conditions can be communicated during the pre-interview. 
  • Proficiency in IT tools (Excel, Word, PowerPoint). 
  • Proficiency in English and/or French (for certain profiles and based on operational needs, both languages may be required); knowledge of Arabic, Russian, Spanish, and Portuguese is an asset. 
  • Willingness to work in various contexts, including unstable areas. 
  • At least two years of relevant professional experience (excluding internships). 
  • Availability for at least six months (six to eight weeks for certain specialists).

Please consult the position that would suit you best from our list of job profiles.

 

2) Application steps

 

  • Step 1: Attend an information session 
    Before applying online, it is necessary to attend one of our in-person or online information sessions. This will help you better prepare your application and potential departure and clarify whether MSF is the right fit for you. 

    Also, take the time to read carefully the following sections: "All profiles", "What to Expect" and "What MSF Offers".

  • Step 2: Apply 
    Applications are accepted only through our website; any other mode of application will not be considered. 

    On the page "All profiles" open the position for which you wish to apply. At the bottom of the page, select the country in which you reside (where you pay your taxes). You will then be redirected to the application form for MSF Switzerland or to the website of the MSF section that manages recruitment for your country of residence. If you are currently employed by MSF as a locally-hired staff (LHS), you will find more information here.

    Only complete applications will be considered. Please attach your CV and motivation letter. 

    If you do not receive a confirmation message regarding your application within 24 hours, there has been an issue, and you will need to resubmit your application online. 

  • Step 3: Pre-interview 
    We review all applications and do our best to respond within one month to six weeks. If you meet all our recruitment criteria and we have operational needs matching your profile, we will arrange a preliminary selection interview by phone. 

    While MSF is open to the use of Artificial Intelligence in its work, you are asked not to use it during the recruitment process, as the goal is to better understand you, not your ability to use AI. This will also ensure fair treatment of applications. 

    With your knowledge from the information session, attended either in-person or online, as well as the website and your motivation, you will be well prepared for this initial interview. 

  • Step 4: Technical validation 
    To ensure you have the required technical skills, technical referents will do an assessment according to the position you are applying for. You will receive all the necessary information as applicable. If you succeed in this step, you will then be invited to a Human Resources interview. 

  • Step 5: Human resources interview 
    This interview will evaluate your soft skills and behaviour. It lasts approximately two hours, during which we will also ask you to provide your references. Please remember that responsible behaviour is part of our recruitment criteria and will also be verified during reference checks. 

  • Step 6: Reference checks and criminal record verification 
    If the HR interview is successful, we will contact your references to understand their work experience with you. We will also request a criminal record extract. If the final decision at the end of this process is positive, you will be integrated into our pool. A pool is a reserve list of professionals from the same profession, whose skills have been validated by MSF. According to needs in the missions and the experience of individuals in the pool, MSF will match people to fill positions in its missions. 

  • Step 7: Preparation 
    Before departing on a mission, you will attend an orientation session (Welcome to MSF) to further familiarize yourself with MSF. 

  • Step 8: Departure 
    According to needs, when a position matching your profile and skills becomes open, your career manager will send you a mission offer along with contextual information. After your final acceptance, we will initiate the departure process. 

    Once a mission is assigned, MSF will also request a medical certificate to ensure that you are fit for work in the mission country. Departure is contingent upon this certificate. Details regarding the medical appointment will be shared with you during the departure process. 

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© Juan Carlos Tomasi/MSF

Apply online

Your application will be processed by a specific MSF office according to your country of residence. If you are already employed by MSF Switzerland, choose "OCG Field employee" or "OCG HQ employee".

Please notice that some offices do NOT recruit specific profiles. If that might be the case for your profile, please apply via MSF Switzerland.

 

This application form is only for field missions. If you wish to apply for HQ positions, please consult our current jobs postings.

As Candidates, MSF cares about protecting your data. By applying to a position, you accept that MSF will use your personal data. For more information, please read our Human Resources Privacy notice.

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. 

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.

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. 

All questions