Your job as a surgeon for Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)
You will perform surgery, support local
medical staff by means of training, supervision and coordination,
and assist in the development of all aspects of surgical
programming (e.g. triage, pre- and post-operative care and
operating theatre management). Most surgery carried out in MSF
projects is acute emergency surgery, predominantly trauma and
emergency obstetric interventions. Data collection, analysis and
reporting are an intrinsic part of the role. Furthermore, you will
be responsible for forecasting medical supply needs and managing
medical stocks. We also need experienced medical staff in
coordination and management positions, such as medical
coordinators.
Requirements for surgeons with MSF
- A valid medical licence/registration and
postgraduate surgical qualifications from a relevant professional
body
- Successful completion of a residency
programme and at least 2 years’ post-registration/graduation
experience in surgery
- Experience in general, vascular, orthopaedic
and/or obstetric surgery and triage, as well as pre- and
post-operative care
- Ability to work under very primitive
conditions with limited technical resources (e.g. a lack of
diagnostic equipment such as X-ray equipment)
- Ability to handle a broad range of the most
common emergency and general medical conditions requiring surgery,
and knowledge of their operative indications (particularly within
the areas of orthopaedics, trauma and obstetrics)
- Experience in training, coaching and
supervision
- Work or travel experience in developing
countries
- A good command of the English language
- Ability to cope with stress and to organize
and prioritize workload
- Ability to work in an international team
- Willingness to work in an unstable and
insecure environment
- Availability of 1–3 months
Availability and flexibility are important as
surgeons are sometimes needed at short notice. In emergency
situations, we often need surgeons to leave for a project within 24
to 48 hours.
Assets
- Experience with a similar non-governmental
organization abroad
- A good command of the French language
What MSF offers you
- A contract for the duration of the mission,
along with an international insurance package, a pension scheme and
other benefits depending on applicable regulations and labour
law
- A net salary of about 800 euros per month for
the first 12 months; after which salary increases within the MSF
salary grid
- 5 weeks’ holiday per year
- A preparation course before departure and
continued career development opportunities within the
organization
- Career guidance and training
opportunities
May 2012