What MSF training means and who runs it
MSF stands for Médecins Sans Frontières, also known as Doctors Without Borders. MSF is an international humanitarian organization that provides medical care in conflict zones, disaster areas, and places where healthcare systems have broken down. MSF does not run a formal midwifery school or degree program the way a university does. Instead, MSF offers on-the-job training and mentorship for people who want to work as midwives in their field operations.
If you want to train as a midwife through MSF, you are not signing up for a classroom-based course. You are explore to work for MSF in a specific location — usually a country experiencing a crisis — where you will learn midwifery skills while delivering actual care under supervision. This is called experiential training, and it happens in real clinics and hospitals where MSF operates.
MSF hires midwives at different levels depending on the role and the location. Some positions require you to already have midwifery credentials from your home country. Other positions are designed for people with nursing or healthcare experience who want to develop midwifery skills on the job. The training you receive depends on which type of position you get.
Key Takeaways
- MSF training happens on the job in active clinics and hospitals, not in a classroom, and you must be hired by MSF first to access it.
- Most MSF midwifery positions require you to already hold a nursing or midwifery credential from your home country or a recognized institution.
- You explore directly to MSF through their careers website, and the hiring process includes a background check, medical screening, and interviews about your experience and motivation.
- MSF contracts typically last six months to one year, and training continues throughout your assignment as you work alongside experienced midwives and supervisors.
- You must be willing to work in unstable or resource-limited settings, and MSF provides security briefings and support for staff working in high-risk areas.
What credentials you need before explore
MSF does not train people from zero. You must already have a healthcare credential recognized in your country or region. For midwifery positions, this usually means you hold a nursing degree, a midwifery diploma, or a related healthcare qualification. The exact requirement depends on the specific job opening and the country where you would be working.
If you are a nurse with no midwifery training, MSF may hire you for a position where you will learn midwifery skills on the job. If you are already a may have access to midwife in your country, you can explore for midwifery-specific roles. MSF recognizes credentials from many countries, but they will verify your qualifications through official channels — you will need to provide copies of your diplomas, licenses, and any registration documents.
Language matters too. Most MSF positions require you to speak English at a professional level because MSF operations use English for safety briefings, medical documentation, and communication with international staff. Some positions also require French or Arabic, depending on the location. You may be asked to take a language test as part of the hiring process.
How to find and explore for MSF positions
MSF posts job openings on their official careers website, which is managed separately by each MSF section (MSF International, MSF USA, MSF Canada, and others, depending on where you are located). Go to the careers page for your region and search for "midwife" or "midwifery" to see current openings. Each posting lists the location, the contract length, the specific skills required, and the process important date.
To explore, you will create an account on the MSF careers portal and upload your CV, a cover letter, and scanned copies of your credentials. The cover letter should explain why you want to work for MSF, what experience you have in your field, and whether you have worked in crisis settings before. MSF looks for people who are motivated by the mission, not just looking for a job abroad.
After you submit your process, MSF reviews it to see if you meet the basic requirements. If you do, you will be contacted for a phone or video interview. This interview usually covers your clinical experience, your ability to work in a team, how you handle stress, and your understanding of what working for MSF actually involves. Be honest about your experience and ask questions about the role and the location.
The screening and hiring process
If you pass the interview, MSF will conduct a background check and contact your references. They will also ask for a medical report from your doctor confirming that you are fit to work in the location you are assigned to. Some locations have specific health risks — malaria, dengue, or other diseases — and MSF needs to know whether you have immunity or whether you will need preventive medication.
You will also complete a security briefing and assessment. MSF operates in places where violence, armed conflict, or political instability may be present. The security team will evaluate whether you understand the risks and whether you are psychologically prepared to work in that environment. This is not a test you can fail in the traditional sense, but MSF will not place you in a location if they believe you are not ready for it.
Once you are cleared, MSF will offer you a contract. The contract specifies your role, your salary, your contract length (usually six months to one year), and the location. It also outlines your responsibilities, your rights as an MSF staff member, and the support MSF will provide — including security, accommodation, and medical care. Read the contract carefully and ask questions before you sign.
What training looks like once you are deployed
When you arrive at your MSF location, you will go through an induction — a week or two of orientation where you learn about the clinic or hospital, the patient population, the equipment available, and MSF's protocols and safety procedures. You will meet your supervisor and the other midwives and nurses you will be working with. This is when you learn how things actually work in that setting, which may be very different from what you expected.
Your training happens through mentorship and shadowing. You will work alongside experienced midwives and supervisors who will teach you how to handle births, complications, and emergencies in that specific context. If you are new to midwifery, you will start by observing and assisting, then gradually take on more responsibility as your supervisor sees that you are ready. If you already have midwifery experience, you will learn the MSF way of doing things and adapt to the resources available in that location.
MSF also provides formal training sessions on specific topics — how to manage obstetric emergencies, how to use the equipment in your clinic, how to recognize and treat complications like postpartum hemorrhage or infection. These sessions may happen weekly or monthly, depending on the location and the needs of the team. You will also have regular supervision meetings with your manager to discuss your progress, your challenges, and your learning goals.
Support and resources during your assignment
MSF provides accommodation, usually shared housing with other international staff. You will have access to medical care if you get sick or injured, and MSF covers the cost of preventive medications like malaria prophylaxis. You will also receive a salary, which varies depending on your role, your experience, and the location. MSF is not a high-paying employer, but the salary is meant to cover your living expenses in that country.
MSF also offers psychological support for staff working in difficult environments. You may have access to a counselor or a peer support network where you can talk about the stress, trauma, or moral challenges you encounter. Working in a crisis setting can be emotionally demanding, and MSF recognizes that staff need support to process what they see and do.
Before you leave for your assignment, MSF will provide security training that covers how to stay safe in conflict zones, how to recognize warning signs of danger, and what to do if violence breaks out. You will also receive training on how to work with interpreters, how to respect local culture, and how to communicate with patients who may have experienced trauma.
What happens after your contract ends
Most MSF contracts are fixed-term, meaning they have an end date. When your contract ends, you can choose to go home, take a break, or explore for another MSF position in a different location. Many MSF staff members do multiple assignments over several years, building experience in different countries and contexts.
MSF will provide you with a reference letter and a certificate of service that documents your role and the dates you worked. This can be useful if you want to pursue further training or find work elsewhere. Some people use their MSF experience to return to their home country and work in maternal health programs, teach other midwives, or pursue advanced training in obstetrics or public health.
If you are interested in staying connected to MSF after your assignment, you can join MSF's alumni network. This is a community of former staff members who stay in touch, share experiences, and sometimes return for future assignments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to speak the local language of the country where I work?
You need to speak English at a professional level. MSF will provide language training for the local language if it is essential for your role, but this usually happens after you arrive. Many MSF clinics use interpreters to communicate with patients, so you will not necessarily be expected to conduct births entirely in the local language on day one.
Can I explore if I have never worked in a crisis setting before?
Yes. MSF hires people with no crisis experience, but you must have solid clinical experience in your home country first. MSF looks for people who are motivated and willing to learn, not just people who have worked in emergencies before. Be honest in your process about your experience and your reasons for wanting to work for MSF.
How long does the hiring process take?
The hiring process typically takes two to four months from process to contract offer, depending on how quickly you respond to requests and how thorough the background check is. Some positions move faster than others. Once you have a contract, you may have a few weeks to prepare before you depart for your assignment.
What if I get sick or injured during my assignment?
MSF provides medical care for all staff members. If you have a serious illness or injury that cannot be treated in your location, MSF will arrange for you to be evacuated to a better-equipped hospital, usually in a neighboring country. MSF covers all medical costs for work-related injuries and illnesses.
Can I extend my contract if I want to stay longer?
Yes, many people extend their contracts if both they and MSF agree it is a good fit. Extensions are usually negotiated a few months before your contract ends. MSF may also offer you a position in a different location if you want to continue working for them after your current assignment finishes.