Frequently Asked Questions

We recruit doctors for ER and HIV / TB programs. We also need specialists as well as generalists with experience in obstetrics including being able to do a Caesar on your own. Doctors must have Southern African qualifications and contactable references.
For ER doctors, we accept doctors post community service if this has been done in a rural hospital or in district hospital with rotations through Casualty. Doctors should have done ACLS and ATLS and if possible PALS.
For TB and HIV / Programs we accept doctors who have done at least 3 months in an ARV clinic.
Specialists are accepted post registration . A Diploma in Anaesthetics with sufficient experience in trauma and obstetric anaesthesia is adequate for some positions
 

All expats must be aware of the risks and dangers of serving with MSF in the field. They must understand that they have no claim against MSF for any injury or illness acquired while participating in any travel or activity conducted by, in support of or under the auspices of MSF. However MSF maintains insurance cover on behalf of its expats that provide direct benefits to injured or sick staff ( including appropriate care and, if necessary repatriation) or their beneficiaries. The scope of this insurance is explained prior to departure. Supplementary insurance is the responsibility of the individual.

For ER positions, 6 months and for other missions 9 to 12 months. Specialists, especially gynaecologists, anaesthetists and surgeons are accepted for shorter periods, minimum one month.

In most cases, living conditions in the field (security, housing, etc.) make it impossible for expats to be accompanied by children or partners who are not participating in the mission. This is particularly true for most initial assignments.

There is no age limit for participation in MSF projects. However one should be in good health.

MSF places you on assignment based on the needs of MSF in the field and your skills. If you are able to speak French a wider range of projects are open to you. For security reasons certain nationalities cannot work in certain countries. South Africans are generally accepted everywhere.
Expats do have a final say in accepting or rejecting a mission but are expected to be open to a wide variety of locations and activities.

Volunteers / expat do not receive a salary but a monthly allowance. This starts at about R10 000 a month with an increase for every six months experience in the field with MSF. This allowance is paid into the individuals bank account each month to help expats resettle upon returning from mission. In addition to the allowance expats receive a per diem or monthly allowance in the field to be used for personal items.

MSF has an insurance policy for all expats to cover health insurance, accident insurance, professional liability, repatriation and flight insurance.
In case of an illness or accident for which there is no need for repatriation to the home country, the insurance covers all the expenses from place of work to the most appropriate qualified reference hospital. All MSF volunteers are covered by a private international insurance company covering medical repatriation worldwide serviced by qualified medical staff.
 

• Usually you return to Brussels to be debriefed about your mission.
• You then return to your home country.
• You will then arrange to come to the MSF SA office in Johannesburg to report back on your mission to the office staff. For people who do not live in South Africa this can be done telephonically.
• If you want to go on another mission with MSF SA, we keep you in our pool of expats and try to match you with another mission when you are available.
   

• A monthly allowance of approximately R10 000 paid into your bank account at home. 
• Full medical insurance.
• Accommodation in the field (shared housing mostly with private rooms)
• A per diem in local currency (enough to pay for all living expenses for a modest lifestyle while on mission )
• All transport.
• Holidays of 4 weeks per year, usually in the nearest pleasant country.
   

• Organise your professional life.
• Discuss with family member / partners difficulties and risks involved.
• Get a medical check (MSF form to be completed).
• Read up about the place you are going to.
   

• People who have been selected to work with MSF are known as volunteers or expats. They join a pool of other volunteers until a suitable project / mission becomes available for them. Once their mission is confirmed, MSF will be responsible for all travel arrangements, visas and relevant vaccinations.
• The volunteer first goes to the country where their Pre-Departure Preparation program (PPD) is being held (Ist mission only). An air ticket is provided as well as accommodation and meals during PPD.
• After PPD most volunteers then go to Brussels for briefing about their mission    and then travel to their mission.