Nurse

An MSF nurse administers an oral vaccine at the Nyaragusu refugee camp in Tanzania. Caption
An MSF nurse administers an oral vaccine at the Nyaragusu refugee camp in Tanzania.

Working with us as a nurse is demanding and rewarding.

From basic healthcare to helping set up health posts, nurses are vital to Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders' (MSF) work. In many situations, nurses are the backbone of our medical operations.

Responsibilities

Our registered nurses often head departments in hospital/health centres and are the forefront of providing primary healthcare in our projects. 

It’s an exciting and diverse role and you could be responsible for:

  • establishing and managing health posts
  • operating feeding centres and in/outpatient clinics and hospitals
  • planning and implementing vaccination campaigns
  • organising mother-child health programmes
  • training, supervising and managing local nursing staff or community health providers

Application guide

Read our guide on the application process for all overseas roles

Based on our current needs in the field we are looking to increase the number of OT nurses in our pool.

We also want to increase the number of French-speaking nurses (B2 level and above).

ICU nurse applications are temporarily on hold unless the candidate also has recent and significant experience in at least one of the other areas below.

Role requirements

  • Two years' post-qualification nursing experience, preferably in one or more of the following areas: 
    • infectious diseases
    • A&E
    • obstetrics
    • intensive care
    • nutrition
    • paediatrics
    • operating theatre
      (Due to strong competition in the resumes/CVs we receive, we currently select people with 5 years experience or more)
  • Valid Irish Nursing Board or Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) registration
  • One year experience working for another NGO in a setting comparable to MSF project countries (or successful completion of a Diploma in tropical Medicine)
  • Patient care experience in a hospital setting or in outreach within the past 2 years
  • Experience in leading teams: training, coaching and supervision.
  • Available for a minimum of nine to twelve months
  • Minimum of three months’ work, volunteering or travel experience in developing countries
  • Willingness to work in an unstable and insecure environment.
  • Adaptable and able to work in a multicultural team.
  • Ability to cope with stress and to organize and prioritize workload.
  • Fluency in English (minimum B1)
  • A good command of the French or Arabic language (minimum B2)
     

Please note our shortlisting is based on the specialisations that we need in the field.

If your experience doesn't match the specialisations that we need we may not be able to recruit you.
 

Assets

Experience with basic healthcare, nutrition, infectious diseases, paediatrics, obstetrics and HIV/AIDS
Work experience in an emergency department or outreach
Work experience as a nurse in a country where the 'medical system' is significantly different, or in a similar non-governmental organization abroad.
Based on our current needs in the field we are looking to increase the number of Paediatric nurses in our pool.

*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
 

Languages

We're currently looking for nurses with good French or Arabic skills.

If you have a minimum of B2 level French or Arabic you're much more likely to be accepted onto our register.

Your language level may be tested during the recruitment process.

Before you apply

Make sure you read our application process guide for an overview of what to expect when you apply for an overseas.

We take your safety, security and wellbeing seriously. Please watch these videos before you decide whether or not to apply for this job.

Apply to be a nurse

Please only apply if you meet all of the requirements below. 

1/8

I have read and understood the role description, and feel I can fulfil this role

2/8

I have spent at least three months travelling or working in low- and/or middle-income countries

3/8

Ireland is my place of residence and I have the right to live and work in Ireland

4/8

I have a valid passport

5/8

I have managed a team of people

6/8

I am available for a minimum of nine to twelve months

7/8

I have a diploma in tropical nursing or have one year experience working in a setting comparable to MSF project countries

8/8

I have two years' post-qualification nursing experience