How to apply for Project Medical Referent / Project Medical Coordinator for the Senior Emergency Extended Package (18 Months Contract)

About Médecins Sans Frontières

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is the world's leading independent medical humanitarian organization, providing emergency care in conflict zones, epidemics, and natural disasters. Working here means joining a field-driven movement that prioritizes medical ethics over politics, with a direct impact on saving lives where needs are greatest.

About the role

As Project Medical Referent/Coordinator for the Senior Emergency Extended Package, you will lead the design, planning, and monitoring of medical activities in emergency interventions, ensuring adherence to MSF protocols. You will manage both human and material resources to guarantee quality care, often in volatile settings, making this a critical role in MSF's emergency response capacity.

A typical day

A typical day might involve early morning coordination meetings with medical teams, reviewing patient data and supply stocks, and adjusting intervention plans based on security or epidemiological updates. Afternoons could include training local staff, negotiating with authorities for access, and reporting to headquarters, all while remaining on call for emergencies. The pace is intense, but every decision directly impacts the health of vulnerable populations.

Who Médecins Sans Frontières is looking for

• Medical doctor or nurse with extensive clinical experience in emergency, humanitarian, or conflict settings, including management of medical teams.
• Proven track record in project coordination, including budget oversight, supply chain management, and reporting to donors or headquarters.
• Deep familiarity with MSF protocols, essential drugs, and emergency medical packages (e.g., cholera, measles, malnutrition, trauma).
• Willingness to deploy rapidly to remote or insecure locations for 18 months, with strong cross-cultural communication and stress management skills.

Tips for this application

• Highlight specific emergency interventions you've coordinated, including the size of teams, budgets, and patient outcomes, to demonstrate your ability to handle MSF's extended emergency package.
• Explicitly reference MSF's medical protocols and principles (e.g., impartiality, neutrality) in your CV and cover letter to show alignment with their operational approach.
• Emphasize your experience in resource-scarce environments, such as managing drug supplies or coordinating with local health authorities, as this role requires juggling human and material resources.
• Include any training or certifications in tropical medicine, public health in emergencies, or MSF-specific courses (e.g., MSF Intersectional Emergency Management) to stand out.
• Demonstrate flexibility and availability for rapid deployment, mentioning previous short-term assignments or on-call roles, as the contract is for 18 months with potential for extension.

What to cover in your cover letter

Your cover letter should emphasize: (1) your hands-on experience in planning and monitoring emergency medical activities, ideally with MSF or similar organizations; (2) your ability to coordinate multidisciplinary teams and manage resources under pressure; (3) your commitment to MSF's humanitarian principles and willingness to work in remote, insecure settings; and (4) concrete examples of how you've ensured quality care in past emergency interventions.

Research before applying

• Study MSF's emergency response framework, including the 'Extended Package' for emergencies, to understand the scope of interventions you'll coordinate.
• Read recent MSF reports on emergency interventions (e.g., in Yemen, DRC, or Bangladesh) to grasp current operational challenges and medical priorities.
• Research MSF's organizational structure, including the roles of Project Medical Referent vs. Project Coordinator, to clarify responsibilities and reporting lines.
• Explore MSF's charter and principles to internalize their ethical approach, as interviews often assess alignment with these values.

Likely interview topics

Based on the job description, expect questions about:

• Describe a time you managed a medical emergency project with limited resources. How did you prioritize activities and ensure quality of care?
• How do you ensure adherence to MSF protocols while adapting to local contexts and constraints?
• Give an example of a conflict or security incident you faced in the field and how you handled team safety and continuity of medical activities.
• How would you coordinate with other actors (e.g., WHO, local NGOs) during a large-scale outbreak or displacement crisis?
• What strategies do you use to manage stress and maintain team morale during prolonged emergency deployments?

Common mistakes to avoid

• Focusing only on clinical skills without demonstrating project management or coordination experience, as this role is heavily managerial.
• Ignoring the emergency context—failing to mention adaptability, security awareness, or experience in volatile settings will make you seem unprepared.
• Using generic language about 'helping people' without concrete examples of how you've implemented medical programs or managed teams in humanitarian crises.