Responsibilities

Our surgeons are always based in the project (unless it is managed at distance due to security), and perform a wide range of surgical interventions and non-surgical care, from burns care and dressings through to fistula surgeries and managing spear wounds.

It’s an exciting and diverse role and our surgeons are usually responsible for some or all of the following: 

• General surgeons with trauma experience, some orthopaedic and obstetric (especially C-section) surgery experience, and/or experience in war surgery
• Orthopaedic surgeons with experience in war and/or trauma surgery, particularly with strong skills in external fixation
• Reconstructive surgeons, particularly with experience in burns and facial reconstructive surgery
• Training/managing national staff (operation theatre nurse, paramedics, etc

Role requirements

• Post CCT/FRCS higher surgical training and an ability to work autonomously
• Full Irish Medical Council registration or GMC registration.
• Ability to perform general surgery including Paediatrics and Caesarean sections. Some experience in A&E and orthopaedics is desirable.
• Current or recent practical experience and at least 2 years post-registration/graduation experience in surgery
• Ability to work under very primitive conditions with limited technical resources (e.g. a lack of diagnostic equipment such as X-ray equipment)
• Experience in managing, supervising and training others.
• Able to work well as a part of a multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary team.
• Willing to work in unstable areas and ability to cope in a difficult and unpredictable environment.
• Availability of 1 to 3 months
• Minimum of three months’ work, volunteering or travelling experience in low-income countries
• 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

We are currently looking for Surgeons with good French and Arabic Skills.

If you speak French or Arabic to a level where you can be placed in a French or Arabic speaking mission such as Democratic Republic of Congo, or Chad you are much more likely to be accepted onto the MSF register. Your language level may be tested during the recruitment process.
Experience with a similar non-governmental organization abroad.

The Surgical Training for Austere Environments (STAE) is a course that was designed in collaboration between MSF and the Royal College of Surgeons. The aim of the course is to provide experienced surgeons with the essential general surgical skills needed to work abroad in low resource settings. MSF strongly recommends this course to all surgeons that want to work abroad with us.

*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.