Frequently Asked Questions
Do you only take on doctors and nurses to work overseas?
What kind of experience do you need to work with MSF?
Do you get paid if you work with MSF?
Do you need office volunteers?
Do you do elective placements for medical students?
Do you send couples to the field to work on the same project?
How long is a “mission”?
Can I choose where I want to work?
Do you need to speak French to work for MSF?
How many people work for MSF?
Can you provide speakers?
If your question is not answered below, or you would like more details, please call 01 660 3337 or email us on recruitment.dublin@dublin.msf.org.
Copies of our new recruitment brochure 'Put Your Ideals Into Practice' are available free of charge from our office.
© Ton Koene
DO YOU ONLY TAKE ON DOCTORS AND NURSES TO WORK OVERSEAS?
We recruit a range of medical and non-medical professionals. Please see our 'Who is Needed' list.
^ Back to top
WHAT KIND OF EXPERIENCE DO YOU NEED TO WORK WITH MSF?
As a doctor or nurse, you will need a minimum of 2 years post qualification experience, preferably a diploma in Tropical Medicine (or extensive overseas work experience) and you must have travelled in developing countries.
For other professionals, a proven track record of experience in your field is essential, together with some travel experience in third world countries and management experience.
A working knowledge of another language –preferably French, Spanish, Arabic is an added benefit.
Please see the 'Basic Requirements' list which is applicable for all people interested in working overseas with MSF.
^ Back to top
DO YOU GET PAID IF YOU WORK FOR MSF?
The majority of overseas field placements are given a 9 to 12 month contract. During the first year the pay is approximately 1000 Euro/month. This amount is paid into your bank account in Ireland. MSF meets all the costs of living and accommodation in the project country, travel expenses and visas, specific vaccinations and insurance costs.
MSF workers receive 25-28 days paid holiday per year, for periods less than one year the amount is paid pro rata.
For details of benefits offered to MSF staff, see 'Terms and Conditions'
^ Back to top
DO YOU NEED OFFICE VOLUNTEERS?
MSF occasionally needs volunteers to help with the general running of the office. These positions involve clerical tasks, specific projects or general research.
Please check our Office Vacancies on this website for current vacancies.
^ Back to top
DO YOU DO ELECTIVE PLACEMENTS FOR MEDICAL STUDENTS?
No. Since we are a medical aid organisation and often work in emergency situations, we can only take on experienced and fully qualified medical and non-medical professionals.
^ Back to top
DO YOU SEND COUPLES TO THE FIELD TO WORK ON THE SAME PROJECT?
First-time field placements are always unaccompanied. Most field project locations do not allow for friends and family to visit. Accompanied posts may be offered to experienced field staff, depending on field needs and conditions.
^ Back to top
HOW LONG IS A "MISSION"?
Lengths of service vary according to the mission and the job required. The usual length of a first mission is between 6 and 9 months.
^ Back to top
CAN I CHOOSE WHERE I WANT TO WORK?
MSF makes field placements based on need, not on the preferences of the candidate. Candidates will be matched to projects on the basis of the suitability of their skills and experience for the role. MSF asks candidates to be as flexible as possible about where they are placed. The more willing you are to work in any country, the more likely you will get matched sooner.
^ Back to top
DO YOU NEED TO SPEAK FRENCH TO WORK FOR MSF?
No, English is the official MSF language. However, fluency in another language, like French or Spanish, Portuguese or Arabic will greatly strengthen your application.
^ Back to top
HOW MANY PEOPLE WORK FOR MSF?
MSF sends out approximately 3000 expatriate staff per year and employs around 20,000 local staff.
In addition there are 19 MSF offices around the world providing operations and support functions, which employ over 900 permanent staff.
^ Back to top
CAN YOU PROVIDE SPEAKERS?
We are happy to arrange for our volunteers to speak about the work of MSF whenever possible. However this is dependent on us being able to find someone who is in the country and also available. For speaker requests please send an email to: office.dublin@dublin.msf.org
What kind of experience do you need to work with MSF?
Do you get paid if you work with MSF?
Do you need office volunteers?
Do you do elective placements for medical students?
Do you send couples to the field to work on the same project?
How long is a “mission”?
Can I choose where I want to work?
Do you need to speak French to work for MSF?
How many people work for MSF?
Can you provide speakers?
If your question is not answered below, or you would like more details, please call 01 660 3337 or email us on recruitment.dublin@dublin.msf.org.
Copies of our new recruitment brochure 'Put Your Ideals Into Practice' are available free of charge from our office.
© Ton Koene
DO YOU ONLY TAKE ON DOCTORS AND NURSES TO WORK OVERSEAS?
We recruit a range of medical and non-medical professionals. Please see our 'Who is Needed' list.
^ Back to top
WHAT KIND OF EXPERIENCE DO YOU NEED TO WORK WITH MSF?
As a doctor or nurse, you will need a minimum of 2 years post qualification experience, preferably a diploma in Tropical Medicine (or extensive overseas work experience) and you must have travelled in developing countries.
For other professionals, a proven track record of experience in your field is essential, together with some travel experience in third world countries and management experience.
A working knowledge of another language –preferably French, Spanish, Arabic is an added benefit.
Please see the 'Basic Requirements' list which is applicable for all people interested in working overseas with MSF.
^ Back to top
DO YOU GET PAID IF YOU WORK FOR MSF?
The majority of overseas field placements are given a 9 to 12 month contract. During the first year the pay is approximately 1000 Euro/month. This amount is paid into your bank account in Ireland. MSF meets all the costs of living and accommodation in the project country, travel expenses and visas, specific vaccinations and insurance costs.
MSF workers receive 25-28 days paid holiday per year, for periods less than one year the amount is paid pro rata.
For details of benefits offered to MSF staff, see 'Terms and Conditions'
^ Back to top
DO YOU NEED OFFICE VOLUNTEERS?
MSF occasionally needs volunteers to help with the general running of the office. These positions involve clerical tasks, specific projects or general research.
Please check our Office Vacancies on this website for current vacancies.
^ Back to top
DO YOU DO ELECTIVE PLACEMENTS FOR MEDICAL STUDENTS?
No. Since we are a medical aid organisation and often work in emergency situations, we can only take on experienced and fully qualified medical and non-medical professionals.
^ Back to top
DO YOU SEND COUPLES TO THE FIELD TO WORK ON THE SAME PROJECT?
First-time field placements are always unaccompanied. Most field project locations do not allow for friends and family to visit. Accompanied posts may be offered to experienced field staff, depending on field needs and conditions.
^ Back to top
HOW LONG IS A "MISSION"?
Lengths of service vary according to the mission and the job required. The usual length of a first mission is between 6 and 9 months.
^ Back to top
CAN I CHOOSE WHERE I WANT TO WORK?
MSF makes field placements based on need, not on the preferences of the candidate. Candidates will be matched to projects on the basis of the suitability of their skills and experience for the role. MSF asks candidates to be as flexible as possible about where they are placed. The more willing you are to work in any country, the more likely you will get matched sooner.
^ Back to top
DO YOU NEED TO SPEAK FRENCH TO WORK FOR MSF?
No, English is the official MSF language. However, fluency in another language, like French or Spanish, Portuguese or Arabic will greatly strengthen your application.
^ Back to top
HOW MANY PEOPLE WORK FOR MSF?
MSF sends out approximately 3000 expatriate staff per year and employs around 20,000 local staff.
In addition there are 19 MSF offices around the world providing operations and support functions, which employ over 900 permanent staff.
^ Back to top
CAN YOU PROVIDE SPEAKERS?
We are happy to arrange for our volunteers to speak about the work of MSF whenever possible. However this is dependent on us being able to find someone who is in the country and also available. For speaker requests please send an email to: office.dublin@dublin.msf.org
