Médecins Sans Frontières, an international humanitarian medical association founded in 1971, provides medical assistance to populations whose lives are threatened: primarily in cases of armed conflict, but also epidemics, pandemics, natural disasters, and even exclusion from healthcare.
Since 2023, Médecins Sans Frontières has been managing a project in Calais whose activities are:
- A Day Center dedicated to Unaccompanied Minors;
- Medical, social and psychological support for vulnerable people in transit at the Franco-British border through external activities: mobile clinics, outreach work and support for partner associations; as well as individual monitoring.
In the summer of 2025, MSF plans to participate in joint patrols with Utopia 56 to assist survivors of shipwrecks or failed crossing attempts. These patrols involve working with victims of these situations, providing initial medical care and referral to appropriate services. MSF’s participation has two main objectives:
- Provision of first aid and triggering of appropriate first aid
- Registration in the advocacy communication effort to raise awareness of the situation of people in transit and the related humanitarian issues
The French Mission of Doctors Without Borders is looking for nursing volunteers for:
- Ensure, in collaboration with other members of the MSF team, participation in night coastal patrols in monitoring and supporting the Utopia 56 teams. Participate in driving the MSF vehicle and in communication with the U56 teams.
- Provide medical/paramedical triage at the scene of the intervention, in order to prioritize the provision of primary care and the appropriate mobilization of emergency services.
- Know and implement universal hygiene standards/precautions and ensure the best possible quality of hygiene in a difficult intervention environment.
- Organize and carry out care and treatment according to MSF protocols and HAS recommendations.
- Identify psychological warning signs and refer patients to the appropriate level of care.
- If necessary, identify victims of sexual violence and refer them to the medical team so that they can receive the necessary treatment.
- Identify emergency situations and coordinate/support the triggering of appropriate relief (triggering of the humanitarian protocol, call 18, call 15).
- Ensure adequate communication and coordination with other deployed relief agencies.
- Supervise and support the intercultural mediator to ensure teamwork in pairs.
- Dedicate time at the end of each patrol to handover to the day teams to ensure continuity of care.
- Report any problems or malfunctions to the project’s day-to-day IDE and the activity manager.
- Ensure data collection and appropriate written/oral transfer
- Report problematic situations and cases that may arise and keep activity supervisors informed.
- Contribute to the collection of testimonies and participate in the MSF approach in terms of communication and advocacy concerning humanitarian issues
- Respect medical confidentiality and secrecy.
- Participate in the logistical components of the activity (driving the vehicle, assembly and disassembly of the intervention device).
- Respect safety protocols and instructions, report any incidents to the activity manager and/or the project coordinator.
Availability: Patrols take place between midnight and 10 a.m., several times a week, depending on crossing windows and the weather. Night patrols are scheduled for weekends and are subject to change depending on weather conditions. If crossing windows are not available, the nurse may be asked to temporarily support other project activities.
Qualifications: Recognized nursing diploma required. 2 years of professional experience preferred.
Conditions: Minimum four-week commitment, with the option of on-site accommodation provided by MSF for the duration of the mission. A service ticket of €9 per full day of presence is charged. Transportation expenses are reimbursed. A category B driving license is required.
How to apply
If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, please send us an email to msff-france-benevoles@paris.msf.org, specifying in the subject line “ Volunteering Calais – Coastal Marauding ” and attaching a CV so that we can best adapt our mission proposals.
At MSF, we value diversity and strive to create an inclusive and accessible work environment. We encourage all qualified individuals to apply, regardless of their ethnic, national, or cultural background, age, gender, sexual orientation, beliefs, disability, or other aspects of their identity.
Application deadline: December 30, 2025