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© Brendan Bannon
An MSF worker in a health centre speaks to a patient sitting on a bed. Children in the background look on.
22 Sep 16 17 Aug 22

Working overseas: FAQs

Here you will find answers to the most common questions about working in the field with MSF Ireland. You can jump to the topic you are most interested in using the links below. 

Working for MSF

1. Do I need to be aN IRISH resident to apply to work with MSF IRELAND?

MSF Ireland can only accept applications for field positions from Irish residents who have a valid permit to work in Ireland. If you do not have this we cannot accept your application.

Please contact your nearest MSF office or one of the MSF Operational Centres in Amsterdam, Barcelona, Brussels, Geneva or Paris in order to apply for a position, details can be found here.

2. Do I need to be based in IRELAND to apply to work with MSF IRELAND?

Our recruitment process, tests, interviews etc. take place in Dublin and applicants are expected to attend in person. MSF Ireland does not cover travel costs at this stage.

It is assumed that successful candidates are based in Ireland and available to attend induction, training and briefing. MSF Ireland can only finance travel arrangements for these events from addresses in Ireland.

3. What are the criteria to work for MSF?

Detailed information about the selection criteria and role descriptions can be found here:

We can only accept applications from people who meet our strict requirements and applications must be made online.

4. What kind of people work in the field for MSF?

MSF recruits medical and non-medical staff to work in its projects. All of these people bring professional abilities, practical experience, as well as a commitment to and concern for the people they help.

Our projects are manned by national staff with minimal international presence. On average, for every expatriate posted to a specific project there are seven local workers. They provide everything from technical and administrative assistance to nursing and medical skills.

5. What kind of professions do you need?

Follow the link for more information on who we need.

6. Do you only recruit medical staff to work in your international projects?

While the majority of our volunteers have a medical background, we also need skilled support staff such as: epidemiologists, lab technicians, mental health professionals, water and sanitation engineers, construction engineers, logisticians and HR and financial controllers.

7. Does MSF recruit people from the military?

MSF policy is that those who have been employed in the armed forces can only apply for MSF roles two years or more after leaving the military. Please ask for our Armed Forces Policy if you require more information.

8. WOULD HAVING A CRIMINAL RECORD BAR ME FROM WORKING WITH MSF? 

Having a criminal record will not necessarily bar you from working with us. This will depend on the nature of the position and the circumstances and background of your offences.

As an organisation we use the Garda Vetting Disclosure service to assess applicants' suitability for positions.

Please ask for our MSF Ireland Policy statement on the recruitment of ex-offenders for more information.

9. Do you recruit Operating Department Practitioners (ODPs)?

MSF does not recruit Operating Department Practitioners (ODP), unless they are also qualified nurses.

10. Do you take dental hygienists/therapists?

MSF does not recruit dentists.

11. Does MSF recruit paramedics?

Please note that MSF does not currently recruit paramedics. We do not require staff with this profile because we do not run ambulance services in our projects in the field. When patient transfers take place, these are often done in MSF vehicles, and patients are accompanied by MSF nurses and/or medical doctors.

12. Does MSF recruit photographers?

Please read our guidelines on being a photographer for MSF.

13. I do not meet your criteria, can you recommend another organisation for me to try?

If your skills don't match our recruitment criteria, you may like to contact other organisations.

14. How many volunteers work for MSF?

MSF sends out approximately 3,000 international volunteers per year and employs around 25,000 local staff. In addition, there are 11 MSF offices around the world providing operations and support functions which employ over 600 permanent staff. MSF Ireland aims for 40 expat departures each year.

Medical students and volunteers

15. Do you take junior doctors?

We have a minimum requirement of two year's experience at SHO level, be it through a training programme or through medical, NGO or overseas experience.

As we receive many applications, we look for as wide a range of experience as possible. This can be made up of different placements but obviously longer placements may better reflect in-depth experience in working in unstable/difficult situations.

Experience is necessary as we expect a high level of autonomy from our medics in the field.

16. Do you facilitate elective placements for medical students?

Unfortunately we cannot offer elective placements for medical students. Many of the places we work in are unstable and we try to maintain a minimum international presence. 

Equally, a major part of any role with MSF involves working autonomously and training local staff, therefore it is important medics are at a stage of their career where they feel comfortable with this.

17. As a medical student, what more can I do to prepare myself to work for MSF?

Areas that are of particular interest to MSF are paediatrics and neo-natal experience, emergency/trauma experience and tropical medicine. Training in these areas is highly desirable.

We also look for teaching, supervision and management skills. Fluency in another language would also be valuable, especially French and Arabic.

18. Do I need experience of working abroad?

It is also essential to have a minimum of three months travel or work experience in a developing country or countries. This can be formed of shorter placements or one longer period of travel.

19. Do you provide gap year placements?

We can only take on people who meet our strict criteria and do not provide gap year placements.

20. Can I volunteer in the MSF office in IRELAND?

As we are a small office, we have limited space for volunteers. Please visit the MSF volunteers page on our website for more details.

21. Can you help me with my research?

MSF Ireland is a small, non-operational office focusing on recruitment, fundraising and communications within Ireland. We receive a huge number of research requests every week and simply do not have the capacity to support these.

MSF also recommends a number of publications which explore the issues surrounding humanitarian aid, including but not limited to: the history of humanitarian aid; international and humanitarian law; neutrality and advocacy and the role of the media.

Please see our resources pages for more help.

Application requirements and placements

22. How qualified do I have to be before I can work for MSF?

To work with MSF, you need to have completed two years at SHO level and we strongly recommend you hold a Diploma in Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (DTM&H) from either the London or Liverpool School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

The Diploma in Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (DTM&H) is essential for those wishing to work for MSF as a doctor, unless you have significant experience working in tropical medicine.

23. I only meet some of the criteria needed, should I still apply?

As MSF receives a high number of applications, the greater your depth of experience and skill level the more likely it is that you will be accepted to the register.

Check the detailed information about the selection criteria and role descriptions on our Who We Need page.

24. May I request placement in a specific country?

It is not possible to honour specific country requests. MSF recruit applicants into a pool before matching them to a specific position. MSF expect candidates to be flexible about where they work so that we can meet the needs of the field. However, special skills, languages and restrictions are taken into consideration in each placement.

25. Can couples apply to work together on the same project?

MSF placements are for a minimum of nine months. Due to the nature of these placements we are unable to place couples together; individuals are matched to specific roles within an international picture. It is therefore highly unlikely that two people would simultaneously be matched to two jobs in the same place at the same time.

26. Could MSF be a sponsor for my visa (now or in the future)?

MSF Ireland can only accept applications from Irish nationals or non-Irish national with a residency and eligibility to work in Ireland since while working in one of our overseas projects, you will be on contracted through the UK/IE office.

27. Do I need to speak another language to work for MSF?

English is the official MSF language. However, fluency in another language will enhance your application and the possibility of placement. At the moment demand is high for fluent French and Arabic speakers.

28. How long is a mission or placement?

The length of a first mission is between nine and twelve months for all professions, except anesthetists and surgeons who, due to the intensity of their work, are placed in projects from six weeks to three months.

29. How long does the acceptance and matching process take?

The application process on average takes around four to nine months.

30. When is the best time to apply?

You can apply as soon as you have definite dates of availability and normally around six months before you want to go.

31. What are the working hours in the field?

Working hours vary considerably depending on the project with, on average, one day off per week. Work can frequently be hectic and you may be required to put in longer hours. However, time is normally set aside for rest and relaxation.

32. Are there age restrictions to work internationally for MSF?

There is no minimum or maximum age for participation in MSF projects, although there are other criteria that applicants must fulfil.

33. Can my family accompany me on a mission?

No. Living conditions in the field (security, housing, etc) make it difficult for field staff to be accompanied by children or partners who are not participating in the mission.

Compensation, pay and benefits

34. Do your volunteers or international field staff get paid?

International field staff receive an indemnity salary, currently €17,421.00 per annum to an Irish bank account. After one year of field experience the field worker will enter a salary grid, where salary depends on responsibility involved in the field position and also the amount of previous experience. Meanwhile, all the costs in the field would be covered by MSF.

35. Does MSF cover expenses?

MSF covers the following expenses:

  •     Return economy air travel for the most direct and cost-effective route between Ireland and the project. This may include a stopover for briefing and debriefing in Europe.
  •     Reimbursement for the cost of obtaining necessary visas (typically these are paid directly by MSF when organising your visa).
  •     Vaccinations not available through the HSE.
  •     Accommodation and transportation during your contract (including briefings and debriefings).
  •     Per diem based on the cost of living in your project country.
  •     All training costs if you are placed on one of our preparation courses.
  •     Health insurance, including medical evacuations and repatriation, whilst on mission and for up to three months after return to Ireland.

36. Do I get annual leave while working overseas for MSF?

While you are working with MSF you are entitled to 28 days paid holiday per year pro rata.

37. Is there a pension plan I join while working for MSF in the field?

MSF Ireland offers a personal pension plan to expatriates after the completion of three months service. Contributions paid by you and MSF Ireland build up in your own retirement account. MSF Ireland contributions are dependent upon the percentage of salary you choose to contribute.

38. Is there any health screening before you go to the field?

You will be required to complete a Health Declaration Form and if necessary undertake pre-departure health checks with a travel clinic who will clear you to go on mission. All medical information is confidential and remains the property of InterHealth.

39. Am I covered by Insurance while I am in the field with MSF?

MSF will arrange and cover you for all health insurance while on mission. This will continue for up to three months once you return to Ireland. In the event of medical evacuations, repatriation is also covered.

40. What if I am injured or become ill?

MSF arranges insurance cover which care and, if necessary, repatriation for field staff.

Career development

41. Are there any learning and development opportunities in the field?

MSF strongly encourages people to continue working for the organisation beyond their first mission as their experience is of huge value to the effectiveness of our work. As such we offer various career opportunities to our field staff. You can broaden your professional experience by working on a variety of different aid programmes, and have access to learning and development.

42. Are there career development opportunities?

There are many long term career opportunities with MSF. Gaining more and varied MSF field experience makes you eligible for positions such as Logistical, Medical, or Project Coordinator, or Head of Mission.

There are also courses in areas such as project management, medical management, and logistics. If you are interested in a career with MSF you are encouraged to discuss your options with your Human Resource Officer at interview.

Questions?

43. I have another question. Whom should I contact?

For questions about the medical or paramedical positions, not answered in our FAQs, please email: recruitment.dublin@dublin.msf.org

Responses will be sent within one week.