Application Guide

How to Apply for Flying Pharmacy Coordinator

at Médecins Sans Frontières en Suisse

🏢 About Médecins Sans Frontières en Suisse

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is a globally respected humanitarian organization that delivers emergency medical aid to those in crisis, regardless of race, religion, or politics. Working here means being part of a principled, field-driven team that values independence, neutrality, and impartiality, with a strong focus on impact and innovation in challenging environments.

About This Role

As a Flying Pharmacy Coordinator, you will support MSF missions worldwide by ensuring effective pharmacy management and rational drug use. This role involves coordinating medical orders, training field teams, and monitoring antibiotic stewardship, directly contributing to the quality of care in conflict zones and disaster areas.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might start with a briefing from the medical team on urgent supply needs, followed by reviewing pharmacy stock data and coordinating orders with logistics. Afternoon could involve training local pharmacy staff on inventory management or traveling to a remote clinic to assess drug storage conditions and rational use practices.

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🎯 Who Médecins Sans Frontières en Suisse Is Looking For

  • A qualified pharmacist with at least 2 years of field experience in developing countries, preferably with MSF as a Pharmaco.
  • Proven ability to manage pharmacy systems, including data analysis for rational drug use and budgeting for medical supplies.
  • Strong interpersonal skills to train and coach local pharmacy teams, with experience in emergency contexts.
  • Fluent in both French and English (C1 level minimum), with excellent computer literacy in Excel and inventory software.

📝 Tips for Applying to Médecins Sans Frontières en Suisse

1

Tailor your CV to highlight field experience in resource-limited settings, especially any MSF missions or similar NGOs.

2

In your cover letter, explicitly address your experience with antibiotic stewardship and rational drug use programs.

3

Quantify your pharmacy management achievements, e.g., reduced stockouts by X% or trained Y staff.

4

Mention your willingness to deploy on short notice and adapt to insecure environments.

5

Proofread your application in both French and English; a language error can be a red flag for this bilingual role.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Emphasize your motivation for humanitarian work and alignment with MSF's principles (independence, neutrality).", 'Detail specific examples of pharmacy coordination in low-resource settings, including challenges overcome.', 'Showcase your ability to work cross-functionally with medical, logistics, and finance teams.', 'Express your commitment to building local capacity through training and coaching.']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Read MSF's latest field reports to understand current operational challenges in pharmacy logistics.
  • → Study MSF's Essential Medicines List and protocols for rational drug use.
  • → Familiarize yourself with the OCG (Operational Center Geneva) norms and standards for pharmacy management.
  • → Review MSF's approach to antibiotic resistance and any related campaigns.
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💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you handle a sudden stock shortage of essential medicines in a field mission?
2 Describe your experience with antibiotic stewardship in a developing country context.
3 How do you ensure data accuracy in pharmacy reporting when working with limited infrastructure?
4 Tell us about a time you trained local staff and how you adapted your approach.
5 What is your understanding of MSF's supply chain and how it differs from commercial pharmacy?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Submitting a generic application that doesn't reference MSF's specific mission or this role's field focus.
  • Overlooking the language requirement—ensure your French is strong enough for professional communication.
  • Failing to demonstrate flexibility for frequent travel and unpredictable assignments (e.g., no mention of adaptability).

📅 Application Timeline

⏰ Deadline: May 31, 2026

We recommend applying at least a few days early to avoid last-minute technical issues.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Médecins Sans Frontières en Suisse!

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