Doctors Without Borders, an international humanitarian medical association created in 1971, provides medical assistance to populations whose lives are threatened: mainly in cases of armed conflict, but also epidemics, pandemics, natural disasters or exclusion from care.
The doctor participates in preventive policy by identifying and treating, in an appropriate manner, issues related to the health of field staff, individual or collective, before, during and after a mission with MSF OCP.
Main objective of the SHU physician
Participate in the deployment of a prevention policy; identify and respond appropriately to questions related to the health of field staff, individual or collective, before, during or after a mission with MSF OCP.
Main responsibilities
OCP international staff health: focus on prevention:
As a physician, you are the point of contact for the nurse in charge of departures and external stakeholders (Pasteur consultants or other organizations) in the event of the discovery of a chronic or acute health problem before a mission. You will:
- Assess the risks of sending candidates with health problems to a mission field, with external stakeholders and the health representatives of staff in the field (medical coordinator or other) and/or cell medical representative.
- You can request to cancel or postpone a departure in consultation with the aforementioned stakeholders.
- Together with the nurse in charge of pre-departure preparations, you ensure the regular updating of health prerequisites by field and the dissemination of this information.
- Participate with SHU members in adapting the pre-departure preparation process according to needs, circumstances (e.g. epidemic) and with a view to a decentralization strategy to be implemented gradually.
Support for health focal points (medical coordinators or others) of OCP projects:
- In the event of a request for medical problems affecting international or national staff, it directs medical coordinators or field health focal points regarding the best management of individual cases and seeks advice adapted to the complexity of the cases (medical department, external network, Pasteur Institute, insurer or assistance company for example).
- Assisting with the organization of referrals and repatriations of international staff for health reasons.
Guides and policies:
- Keep informed of developments in international recommendations (WHO or other sources), epidemic contexts or any event or new medical or scientific recommendation of interest to MSF teams in the field.
- Disseminate documents and information concerning the health of teams (general or specific during an epidemic: Covid, Ebola, etc.) to medical coordinators or focal points, operational units and headquarters HR department.
- Brief the focal points on the administrative aspects related to health problems in the field: reporting of work accidents, accidents involving exposure to blood and fluids, among others.
- Helping to organize the archiving and organization of SHU data and documents as well as the collection of certain data (e.g. COVID cases, work accidents, AES, repatriations etc.).
- Working with the SHU manager and the departments involved (medical, HR) to update or create documents specific to the health of the teams.
- Participate in the training and briefings of medical coordinators or focal points.
- Organize or participate in various training/information/webinar sessions on topics related to staff health (Covid, ebola, other epidemics, AES, hepatitis etc.).
Context of hemorrhagic fever:
- Update and disseminate staff health documents related to FHV, including Ebola virus vaccination policies.
- Ensure that an individual briefing is given to internationals before departure (by the doctor or another post in reinforcement if the epidemic is very serious), that a systematic medical visit is carried out and that the candidate is or will be vaccinated if the possibility exists; ensures follow-up upon return from the field (“21-day policy”).
- Ensure that health coordinators and focal points are briefed on VHF risk and implement monitoring of staff, both national and international, during and after any deployment on an FHV mission.
- Disseminate the necessary information regarding the policies in place to the various stakeholders at headquarters (recruiters, pool managers, departures office, HR, operations department, etc.) as well as to the coordinators (medical coordinator (CoMed), CoMed deputies, health focal points, mission leader, HR coordinator).
Other activities may be added depending on needs. You must be flexible and open-minded.
Desired profile
Education: Medical degree.
Experience :
- Experience with MSF of at least 24 months
- At least one experience as a medical project coordinator at MSF
- An experience as an international MSF staff member in at least 2 different contexts.
- Experience in travel medicine or tropical medicine is a plus
Languages: French and English: level B2 (required).
Aptitudes:
- Excellent interpersonal skills, good listening
- Ability to prioritize while remaining focused on health-related priorities
- Patience and good stress management
Employment conditions
Status: 13-month fixed-term contract, full-time. Management position, based in Paris.
Salary and benefits : €50,800 gross annual salary paid over 13 months. 22 days of paid time off per year. Teleworking according to MSF’s rules (2 days/week). 100% employer-paid health insurance. Meal vouchers worth €12 (60% covered by MSF). 50% reimbursement of public transport pass (weekly, monthly, or annual) or bicycle mileage allowance (€0.25 per km, capped at €450 per year).
Position available: December 1, 2026.
How to apply
Please submit your application (CV and cover letter) by September 25, 2026 inclusive to:
Medical Support Unit for Team Health (M/F) | Doctors Without Borders
Only candidates whose applications have been selected will be contacted.