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About MSF USA | Doctors Without Borders

Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an independent international organization that provides medical care to the people who need it most. The organization cares for people affected by conflict, disease outbreaks, disasters, and social exclusion in more than 70 countries. MSF offers medical humanitarian assistance solely based on need, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, or politics. Our international project teams include medical, logistical, and administrative staff, most of them hired locally and working with their own communities. Our actions are guided by medical ethics and the principles of independence, impartiality, and neutrality. We also bear witness and speak out about the experiences of our colleagues and patients. 

MSF USA is one of 24 sections supporting the global movement, primarily through staff recruitment, fundraising, advocacy, and communications. We welcome candidates who bring a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences to join us in working toward MSF’s social mission.

Physicians

From providing care for malnourished babies in a drought-affected region to conducting rounds to survey trauma patients in a large Ministry of Health hospital after a bout of conflict in the area, MSF doctors provide lifesaving care every day in our projects.

We accept applications from general practitioners who meet the essential requirements below. However, Doctors Without Borders is specifically looking for HIV and tuberculosis specialists (infectious disease specialists), pediatricians, anesthesiologists, surgeons, emergency room physicians, obstetrician-gynecologists, and ICU specialists.

Responsibilities

As a medical doctor, you will carry out clinical work and collaborate closely with locally hired health staff, including providing training, supervision, and coordination.

Your duties will also include supporting medical data collection and analysis, developing and implementing relevant protocols, and managing medical supplies. MSF projects offer opportunities to work and further develop skills in various areas of practice, such as HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis, nutritional programs, and reproductive health. Data collection, analysis, and reporting are an intrinsic part of the role. You will be responsible for forecasting medical supply needs and managing medical stocks.

MSF also needs experienced medical staff in coordination and management positions, such as medical coordinators.

Locally hired MSF medical staff provide the most direct care. Internationally hired doctors mainly supervise medical staff and have training and administrative responsibilities, including planning medical programs, ordering medication and medical supplies, and reporting on medical activities. Only a small portion of what you do will be hands-on clinical work.

Requirements

  • Available for a minimum of 9 to 12 month assignments
  • M.D. or D.O. and current valid license
  • Professional experience in a developing country or humanitarian context
  • Minimum of 2 years relevant professional experience post-residency
  • At least 6 months of clinical practice within the last 2 years
  • Professional experience supervising, managing, or training staff
  • Clinical experience in one or more of the following areas: 
    Public Health
    Obstetrics/Gynaecology
    Pediatrics
    Nutrition
    Emergency Medicine
    Infectious Diseases
    ICU or Minor Surgery

Assets

  • French or Arabic language (B2 or above)
  • Postgraduate study in international public health, refugee health, infectious diseases, or tropical medicine
  • Infectious Diseases specialty (HIV/TB in particular)

Before you apply

As you consider applying to undertake an MSF assignment, it is essential that you have a well-informed and realistic personal reflection. Assignments often mean long hours with a heavy workload, basic living conditions, and working and living in often chaotic and volatile environments.

Security and Safety

Because Doctors Without Borders’ purpose is to bring medical assistance to people in distress, the work may occur in settings of active conflict, or in post-conflict environments, in which there are inherent risks, potential danger and ongoing threats to safety and security. MSF acknowledges that it is impossible to exclude all risks, but it does its utmost as an organization to mitigate and manage these risks through strict and comprehensive security protocols.

International staff will be fully informed of the risk associated with a potential assignment before accepting a particular posting. Working for MSF is a deeply personal choice; individuals must determine for themselves the level of risk and the circumstances in which they feel comfortable, based on a full and transparent understanding of the possibilities they may face. Once in the assignment, all MSF staff must strictly observe security rules and regulations; failure to do so may result in dismissal.

Terms of Employment

MSF staff are employees with a salary and benefits. 

MSF encourages the completion of multiple assignments. In the medical, non-medical, and coordination streams, there are many possibilities for professional growth within the organization. 

Final Thoughts

As you consider applying to undertake an MSF assignment, is it essential that you have a well-informed and realistic personal reflection. Assignments often mean long hours with a heavy workload, basic living conditions, and working and living in often chaotic and volatile environments.

Despite such challenges, thousands of people have worked with MSF over the years and found their experiences on assignment to be deeply rewarding, even life-changing. More than anything else, being an MSF international worker means acting in solidarity with people facing unimaginable medical challenges. Your presence alongside people in times of need sends a profoundly meaningful and human message: “You are not forgotten.”

MSF-USA is dedicated to creating a diverse, impartial, and inclusive workforce. We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate based on gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, race, religion, age, national origin, disability, marital status, pregnancy status, veteran status, genetic information, or any other differences as per applicable laws. We also provide reasonable accommodation for disabilities or religious beliefs and practices. We encourage individuals from underrepresented communities in the Humanitarian Aid sector to apply.

If you have a disability and require accommodations to use our website for applying for a position, please get in touch with Human Resources at employment.msfusa@newyork.msf.org. We consider reasonable accommodation requests on a case-by-case basis.

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