Obstetrician / Gynecologist
From flying to remote areas to manage complicated deliveries to caring for women struggling from debilitating conditions in conflicts, MSF obstetricians/gynaecologists make a huge impact on women’s lives in our projects all over the world.
Responsibilities
As an obstetrician/gynecologist (OBGYN) working with Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), your clinical skills and resourcefulness will be put to the test. You will work to diagnose and treat medical conditions, often without the resources you may be accustomed to having. You can expect to perform both emergency and planned ob-gyn surgeries, manage obstetric complications (such as instrumental deliveries), manage post-operative follow-up, and train and support both surgical and midwifery staff. You will also need to learn cross-cultural particularities surrounding childbirth. Other MSF team members, both locally and internationally hired colleagues, will provide technical support, including extensive guidelines and protocols.
Requirements
- Full and current registration (NB: International medical graduates not registered in Canada have to go through a validation process)
- Post-residency experience not required but preferred
- Experience in emergency obstetric care, Cesarean sections, assisted deliveries, hysterectomies
- At least six months of clinical experience within the last two years
- Experience in managing staff in a multicultural team (supervision and training)
- Excellent command of English
- Relevant travel or work experience in contexts similar to where MSF works (armed conflicts, disasters, public health emergencies or situations of healthcare exclusion)
- Available to work a minimum of six weeks
Assets
- HIV, prevention of mother-to-child transmission, management of sexually transmitted infections, management of care for survivors of sexual assault
- Knowledge of French or another language (Arabic, Spanish)
- Course in tropical medicine
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office software
MSF Core Competencies
- Behaviour flexibility: Level 2
- Adapts behaviour to the needs of the situation
- Teamwork and cooperation: Level 2
- Shares information and coordinates with team and others
- Result and quality orientation: Level 2
- Works towards objectives, preserving established standards
- Commitment to MSF principles: Level 1
- Demonstrates knowledge of and accepts MSF’s principles
- People management: Level 2
- Gives feedback and sets limits
- Cross-cultural awareness: Level 3
- Demonstrates an integrating attitude
- Stress management: Level 2
- Manages own stress
- Understanding of equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI): Level 1
- Familiarity with EDI concepts and their application in a humanitarian context
Familiarity with EDI concepts and their application in a humanitarian context
To find out more about MSF core competencies, please look here.
You can find a comprehensive view of MSF career paths here.
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.
Please watch this video for information on how MSF manages security.
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. See more information on the terms of employment.
MSF encourages the completion of multiple assignments. There are many possibilities for professional growth within the organization, into the medical, non-medical and coordination streams. For more information on learning and development as well as career opportunities with MSF, see our FAQ.
To learn more about how MSF supports IMGs with EPIC service, free of cost, click here.
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 in the field 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.”
STEP 1 - REQUIREMENTS CHECK
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STEP 2 - APPLICATION FORM
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