1. I live in Sweden or Finland, have a valid passport, and have the legal right to work in my country of residence.
You do not need to be a Swedish or Finnish citizen to apply through MSF Sweden.
2. I have at least two years of relevant professional work experience.
Our international mobile staff need to be experienced professionals who can work independently in demanding and sometimes unpredictable environments.
Many roles also involve supporting, training, or supervising colleagues, so previous experience in leadership or people management is an advantage.
The exact qualifications depend on the role. Please check the relevant profession page for more details.
3. I understand MSF’s humanitarian mission and principles, and I am motivated by values that match the organisation.
Working with MSF means adapting to changing contexts, collaborating with people from different backgrounds, and responding professionally in challenging situations.
A strong commitment to MSF’s humanitarian values and way of working is essential.
4. I am available for assignments of 6–12 months over the next 3–5 years. For surgeons, anesthesiologists, and obstetricians, assignments are usually shorter and typically last 6–12 weeks.
Most MSF assignments last between 6 and 12 months. We give priority to candidates who are interested in completing more than one assignment over time, as this helps build experience and continuity in our projects.
5. I have previous experience working or volunteering with a local or international NGO.
Experience with an NGO is required. This helps show that you understand the realities of working in impact-driven organisations and in complex environments.
6. I am fluent in English and at least one additional language.
At the moment, there is a particularly high demand for candidates who speak both English and French. Spanish, Arabic, and Portuguese are also highly valued.
7. I am in a state of health that allows me to work in demanding environments, and I understand that MSF requires staff to be up to date with recommended vaccinations.
Very few medical conditions automatically prevent someone from working internationally with MSF. All candidates go through an individual medical assessment before departure.
If you have an existing medical condition, we encourage you to speak with your healthcare provider before applying.
8. I understand that I may be deployed to insecure or unstable environments.
MSF provides medical humanitarian assistance to people affected by conflict, disease outbreaks, natural disasters, and other crises.
Many of our projects are in areas affected by insecurity or political instability. International mobile staff must be prepared to live and work in difficult conditions, adapt to change, and follow MSF security protocols.
Assignments are based on operational needs across the MSF movement.
9. I have read the following pages:
In addition to our basic requirements, our recruitment is also guided by the current operational needs. If there are many individuals with similar competences and experiences available at the same time, we may be more restricted in our recruitment. We aim to always send newly recruited colleagues to our projects in the near future. Therefore, you may be advised to apply again in a few months.