A CAREER WITH MSFName: NATHAN FORD Profile: Clinical/Public health epidemiologist MSF Missions:3 MSF...

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A CAREER WITH MSF

Transcript of A CAREER WITH MSFName: NATHAN FORD Profile: Clinical/Public health epidemiologist MSF Missions:3 MSF...

A CAREERWITH MSF

© S

tefa

n P

leger/Sudan 2

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Today’s world poses many challengesto MSF's delivery of high qualityhumanitarian assistance. From

insecurity and the politicisation of aid

to the increasingly sophisticated

programmes being run in the field,

there is a consistent, persistent need

to place the right people in the right

place in a timely fashion. We are a

people-centred venture, and have

grown enormously in the range of

expertise required within the

organisation. Compared to its early

days, MSF is a much more professional

outfit, for example calling on

expatriates to manage complicated HIV

or TB protocols in a dynamic context,

or for logistical support officers to

maintain supply chains across five

missions and three continents.

We actively seek to recruit new

personnel into MSF, as much for their

enthusiasm and energy as the skills

they bring from the outside world. At

the same time, we must also retain a

cadre of experienced staff who are able

to build on their years of MSF, to lead,

manage, support and advise our

operations in the field. Yet we are not

looking for humanitarian careerists who

would make MSF a part of their

vocation. Rather, we are looking for

dedicated MSFers, people who share

our values and drive, and who can

commit to making their career part of

MSF.

I can understand why some people are

reluctant to see MSF as a long-term

job option, and yet the contributions

to this booklet highlight the simple fact

that the organisation is staffed with all

types, including people later in their

career path, who have families and

homes and a sense of security. And

there is something you can't see,

something that comes out in many of

the contributions and that I can

comment on personally. It’s the way in

which a career with MSF is neither a

noble sacrifice nor an occupational

dead end. On the contrary, MSF offers

a rare opportunity to work in a

constantly stimulating environment,

one that is enriching and above all

else requires you to learn and improve.

That quality – job satisfaction – comes

from being able to transform your skills

and energy into action that benefits

people in an acute state of need and

from being able to watch your skills

grow at the same time.

Don’t take my word forit. Read how thesevarious colleagues haveexperienced their yearsin MSF. They attest tothe flexibility andopportunities of workingwith us.

Marc Dubois, ExecutiveDirector MSF UK

Name: ERIC STOBBAERTS

Profile: Finance/Management

MSF Missions: 10

MSF Roles: Logistician/Administrator, Head ofMission, General Director, Research Officer

Countries: Lebanon, Afghanistan, FormerYugoslavia, Egypt, Algeria, Morocco, Kurdistan,Palestine, Libya, Spain, Jordan, South Africa,Brazil, Iraq

Before I went to University I wanted tobe a journalist or a diplomat and aftermy degree, worked as a junior managerin the international financial departmentof a big US corporation. I was inmanagement training and enjoyedworking there – the culture wasinformal, allowed creativity and therewas a sense of belonging. Buteventually talking to an old friendreminded me of the dreams andaspiration we used to chat about atuniversity.

It didn’t take long for me to send my CV

off to MSF and soon after I was offered

a logistics/admin role in Lebanon, and

arrived having no idea what I was

supposed to do in a war zone.

Everything was a new discovery on that

mission and it transformed me. The

team was great, there was no hierarchy,

we had no radios, no phones and no

land cruisers back then, and we just got

on with it. I rapidly developed skills in

negotiating checkpoints, organising non-

medical supply distributions. When the

mission ended I realised I was infected

by MSF and returned home excited

about my next mission. My commitment

to MSF has not stopped since.

I next worked as a logistics

administrator in Peshawar and

Afghanistan for a cross-border mission.

Looking back it was a different world;

we used to write situation reports on

clothes that people would wear back to

Peshawar, as nothing written on paper

survived the journey. I spent two years

there, eventually becoming the head of

mission, and then moving on to be

deputy head of mission in Iraq during

the first Gulf War.

I felt I needed a break from field life

and my next career move was back to

Geneva for a year of study. I was the

first non-medical expat to get a

scholarship from MSF-Belgium and

studied for an MBA.

After being Head of Mission in Former

Yugoslavia, MSF-Belgium offered me the

opportunity to open a regional office in

Cairo. Over the next two years I set up

the office from scratch and when I left

we had operations in Cairo, Algeria and

Morocco as well as having responded to

emergencies in Kurdistan, Palestine and

Libya.

The only reason I left was to take up a

new MSF position as General Director of

MSF Spain, where I spent six years. I

left Barcelona to move to London and I

joined the Programmes Unit as a

researcher.

I am just back from a year in Brazil

where I covered someone's maternity

leave as the director of a new MSF

office. It’s been great and I toyed with

the idea of going back to the field and

being a head of mission somewhere but

was offered a job for a year with DNDi

(the MSF-supported ‘Drugs for Neglected

Diseases initiative’) based in Brazil and

doing advocacy work around Chagas

disease.

My favourite role at MSF to date was

being a head of mission. It is an

amazing position because there is a

great opportunity for being innovative

and creative. You are close to reality yet

you can still be strategic. I’ve enjoyed

working on specific dossiers too

because it’s interesting to get a deep

understanding of a topic and then see

that it does have an impact on MSF’s

work on the ground. So what for the

future? ...maybe another HoM role,

somewhere where I stay for two years,

but still a conflict zone.

"Working with MSF for 20years was not only abouthuman commitment – MSFhas allowed space for mypersonal development andprofessional creativity inways that are quiteoutside of the travelledpath."

© S

imon B

urroughs/

MSF

– S

udan 2

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Name: NATHAN FORD

Profile: Clinical/Public health epidemiologist

MSF Missions: 3

MSF roles: Medical advocacy advisor, Head ofMedical Unit, Medical Coordinator

Countries: South Africa, Thailand, UK

I have worked with MSF for 12 years.The reason I remain devoted to theorganisation is its commitment todelivering essential medical assistancewhile striving to have a larger impactthrough policy advocacy and operationalresearch. If MSF was simply a short-term service provider, as some suggestit should be, I probably would neverhave stayed so long.

MSF for me is much more than an

employer. At its best, MSF is a collection

of truly remarkable individuals who are

encouraged to deliver effective, essential

health care and adapt and innovate to

do it better. My experience has been

that MSF encourages reflection,

criticism, and the development of new

ideas. These are freedoms that allow

individuals with ideas and passion to

flourish. In my career with MSF I have

been in numerous positions, in Europe

and in the field, including setting up

two medical support units in London

and South Africa. Every opportunity I

have had has originated from this core

willingness of MSF to improve its impact

by changing and adapting to needs.

That said, I think it is essential that

MSF takes up its responsibility as an

employer and ensures that people

reflect on their career options and future

security, and continue to grow as

individuals. I have done a postgraduate

diploma, a Masters, and a PHD while

working with MSF, and am extremely

grateful to MSF UK for the

encouragement they have provided all

along the way.

One of the most rewarding experiences

in my life has been to be part of the

fight to increase access to treatment for

HIV/AIDS. When I first joined MSF I went

to an AIDS conference in Geneva and

met David Wilson, a British doctor

working in Thailand. He spent the whole

week arguing with pharmaceutical

companies about the price of their AIDS

medicines. This was at a time when

there was almost no international

attention paid to these issues, and he

was ignored by both the companies and

the media. We wrote press releases, we

disrupted their meetings, and people

thought we were mad. The following

year, access to AIDS medicines became

one of the most important issues in

international health, and MSF has been

at the centre of a global project that

within seven years had provided life-

saving antiretroviral therapy to over five

million people in developing countries. I

feel very privileged to have been able

to have played a small role in that fight.

“MSF for me ismuch more thanan employer.”

I have recently moved back to London

to take up the position of medical co-

ordinator for the Access to Medicines

Campaign.

© R

on H

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Name: RACHAEL CRAVEN

Profile: Consultant in anesthesia at the Bristol Royal Infirmary

MSF Missions: 8

MSF Roles: Anaesthetist

Countries: Indonesia, Nigeria, Haiti, DRC, Jordan,

Iran

Working with MSF has allowed me tovisit some fascinating places that Iwould otherwise have no way of seeing,working alongside local staff gives youa much greater insight in what it is liketo live and work in these places.

Professionally, I always learn a lot from

doctors and nurses from other countries

– both expats and national staff. With

MSF you have to continually be creative

and adapt your normal practice to

provide high-quality care in difficult

surroundings. I always return to the UK

with a fresh perspective on life in the

NHS, because within the NHS you can

often feel powerless – a small cog

within a massive machine. MSF reminds

you that what you do as an individual

within a team can make a big

difference.

What attracted me to MSF was the

different mindset, the ethos of being

‘out in the field’, the MSF principles, the

‘temoignage’ (bearing witness).

I go to the field for four or five weeks a

year during my annual leave although

sometimes the hospital will give me

extra leave (for example I had 10 days

leave to go to Haiti). It is an on-going

negotiation between me and my

hospital, but it mainly comes out of the

seven-week holiday I get in the NHS. In

terms of choices, I just go where I am

needed, although MSF is often flexible.

“I always return to theUK with a freshperspective on life inthe NHS.”

The highlight of my work with MSF is

experiencing that sense of satisfaction

under extreme and difficult

circumstances – and achieving the best

result for the patient. I love the

challenge of adapting your everyday

practice to the circumstances. And

working with national staff is rewarding

– they have an amazing ability to

achieve so much with limited resources,

and to keep doing it.

© R

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My ideological concern and my drive touse my skills to the best effect pushedme towards MSF. I was a pediatricnurse, witnessing the ‘high end’ care ofthe West and developed countries: savea life at all cost, while in Africa childrenare dying of diarrhoea.

I did my first mission in Somalia, a

nasty war zone, and then another in

Sudan. Initially I felt that working for

MSF was a means to an end rather than

‘being part of it’. So why did I stay? I

felt a collective loyalty, a like-

mindedness. The shared concerns that I

had became more important than

anything else.

When I went back to study Social

Anthropology at SOAS, I stayed in touch

with MSF, gave talks, but was not

planning to go back. I got married (yes,

to another MSFer) and returned to the

NHS. Then MSF persuaded me to go on

another mission, and I went to

Afghanistan (with my husband). I had

wanted to use my studies so my next

role was perfect: a medical researcher

based in Mexico but travelling out a lot,

mainly into Zambia and Tajikistan.

I have used my field experience

combined with my studies to work with

the MSF teams and with the

populations. Since I loved this sort of

job, it felt natural for me to accept the

Health Advisor role in Amsterdam

focusing on ‘community health’. I was

offered the India Medical Coordinator

role almost straight afterwards, because

my husband was a Head of Mission

there.

Name: BEVERLEY COLLIN

Profile: Paediatric nurse/social anthropologist

MSF Missions: 12

MSF Roles: Nurse, Medical Coordinator,Biomedical Analyst, Health Advisor, Medical Advocacy Officer

Countries: Somalia, Sudan, Palestine, DRC, Afghanistan, Mexico, Indonesia, Colombia, India,UK

“I never saw thingsas an obstacle, onlyas a challenge.”

When you are in a couple, life with MSF

is undoubtedly hard. My husband and I

were frequently admired because

colleagues had not actually realised that

we were married. Career and personal

life may have been scrambled together,

but we had amazing experiences

together and I would not have changed

anything.

I have met so many inspiring people

along the way and have made firm

friends with expats and national staff. I

have learned that against adversity,

people will make the most of their

situation and adapt and cope.

My future plans are to perhaps study

again, so that I can link this to my

current role as a Medical Advocacy

Officer in the Programmes Unit in the

MSF UK office in London. I don’t rule

out going back to the NHS either.

© R

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I studied International Relations atuniversity, and through these studies knewI wanted to work in the third sector andwork towards what could be achieved forneglected populations through non-governmental organisations. I first workedin the Fundraising Department at Oxfamand then moved in their EmergenciesDepartment but knew I wanted to work inthe field at this early stage of my career.MSF had stuck in my head from watchingnews reports of the Rwandan genocide in1994 and it came across as anorganisation who went out there anddelivered.

After a three-month period of field work

with Oxfam as an Office Manager I applied

to join MSF as administrator and was

accepted as a FinCo and had my first field

mission in China. The initial months of the

first mission were really difficult because I

arrived in the middle of an emergency

response to flooding in the South of China

in 1998. China restricted the number of

international staff present and therefore

was a relatively small team working on a

widespread problem. As a result everybody

were absolutely exhausted. I was a first

mission FinCo with not much financial

experience and felt I was thrown into the

deep end. The lack of other NGOs also

made it quite an isolated experience. After

the first six months once the emergency

response wound down, I settled in and

got to grips with the work I was doing

and enjoyed it so much that I extended

my contract and stayed for 18 months.

After a year and a half it had really come

together, I got to know China and was

feeling at home and on top of my work

and the context.

After my first insight into MSF, I was

interested to know more and went on to

my second role working in the Afghanistan

mission, which can be described as a

more typical MSF programme. As the

FinCo, I was based in Pakistan, travelling

in and out of Afghanistan supporting the

three projects we ran there. After my

second mission, it was suggested I apply

for a position in the HQ in Amsterdam in

the Finance Department, supporting FinCos

in the field. I did this for a year but whilst

this initial period of working in finance was

a good experience, it was not for me for

the long-term. I knew that my ambition

was actually to work in Programme

Management. Finance was a good way of

Name: VICKIE HAWKINS

Profile: Programme management

MSF Missions: 9

MSF Roles: Financial Controller, Budget Controller, Project Coordinator, ProgrammesOfficer, Head of MSF UK Programmes Unit,Deputy Head of Mission

Countries: China, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Zimbabwe, Holland, Myanmar, UK

starting and has also given me a great

basis in the financial management of our

programmes, which is important for a

coordinator for reasons of accountability,

but it was not ultimately what I wanted to

do. In my end of (second) mission

evaluation, I was recommended by the

Head of Mission to attend the Project

Management Course and my following

mission was as a Project Coordinator, so my

stint in Amsterdam was effectively also a bit

of time out of the field. I learned a lot

about MSF from that HQ role that helped

me in the field.

My third mission as a Project Coordinator

took me back to Pakistan in 2002 where,

following the fall of the Taliban, large

numbers of displaced people had gathered

on the Pakistan/Afghan border. We ran a

cross-border project that work in the camps

on both sides. This mission taught me a

great deal about MSF's witnessing and

advocacy role as I was involved in a lot of

both public and private efforts to try to

improve the situation of the displaced

people, which I was then able to draw

upon for my next position. After this

mission, I was debriefing in the London

office and was alerted to a role in the

Programmes Unit. Yet, again, an opportunity

presented itself so I took it. I negotiated

that my first few years at MSF UK would be

quite mobile, so I did a subsequent five

missions of about two months at a time,

working again as FinCo, PC and latterly, a

Head of Mission. All in all I was in the

field for one third of my time. The Director

at the time supported this believing that it

“I have stayed around long-termbecause MSF has allowed me to make my own opportunities.”

was also good for the UK office, which

doesn't directly manage programmes, to be

so involved in the running of our field work.

It was a fortunate meeting of agendas! I

support the idea of MSF staff switching

from field to HQ and then back again – and

back again. It is a positive thing for both

the career of the individual and the

organisation. I am going back to the field

after 9 years in MSF UK to be Deputy Head

of Mission at the MSF OCA Myanmar

mission. Once again, I have learned an

enormous amount in HQ and I am taking

that back to the field with me (as well as

two children!). Possibly that's why I was

quite a good fit for the position, I under-

stand how the MSF movement works and

can capitalise upon it.

A longer-term career with MSF does require

flexibility geographically. After some time

back in the field, if I want to stay with MSF,

I will probably need to be prepared to look

at positions in other European cities such

as Geneva. It is this flexibility which has

enabled me to combine field and HQ

experience, which has been a very fulfilling

career path. But also you have to show

initiative and to an extent make your own

opportunities. The advantage of this is that

it gives you choice (sometimes too much!)

and new challenges. I have worked for MSF

for 13 years but this does not feel like a

long time when it has involved five different

roles and six different countries. And that

has been a challenging journey and most

importantly a rewarding one. For me work

has never been about the financial rewards

(luckily!), it is about job satisfaction in an

organisation that presents new challenges

to you at every step. I also just really

believe in the job that MSF is doing often

in very difficult circumstances. The

commitment of the organisation, and the

people that work in it, is highly impressive.

Apart from the media coverage in the‘CNN emergencies’ there are also the‘unsexy’, not very ‘glam’, emergenciesand what attracted me to MSF was thefact that they operate where there is aneed. Sometimes we are the only onesthere. I was attracted by the MSF’spolicy of ‘temoignage’ (bearing witness)– if you can witness and speak out youcan perhaps change and improve theplight of people whose voice isunheard.

I had two years’ experience with VSO

before joining MSF and going on my

first mission to Somalia. I was shocked

by the security and the necessity of

armed guards and drivers, but enjoyed

it so much I extended my contract from

six to 18 months. I loved the teaching

side of my work and the fact that it was

so appreciated. We felt that our

provision of free treatment and

medications certainly made a difference

to people’s lives.

The excellent MSF technical support,

advice and security back-up ensured

that I did not feel on my own and I

knew that I wanted to continue with

MSF.

I have been on another four MSF

missions. Luckily, I can work in the UK

so I don’t feel trapped in the

humanitarian world or the NHS. This

means I could chose each time whether

to stay in the UK or go abroad,

depending on what is available,

sometimes going with MSF, but also

sometimes going out with another NGO.

I also chose not to become a project

coordinator or a medical coordinator,

preferring the hands-on work on the

ground.

The highlight for me is being able to

use my skills and training as a clinician.

People come to us from miles away and

we give them hope to carry on. We

make an impact on far more people’s

lives than we ever do back home.

MSF is an organisation where you will

be stretched and challenged and learn a

huge amount about yourself. MSF has

Name: SIMON BURLING

Profile: Medical Doctor

MSF Missions: 6

MSF Roles: Medical Doctor, Medical Coordinator

Countries: Somalia, Sudan, DRC

given me a different perspective about

life, values and work. This is a self-

questioning culture, full of debate with

a view to improve. MSF has also

supported me through technical courses

like Clinical Management of HIV Course

(done by College of Medicine,

Johannesburg) and Drug Resistant TB

(Geneva).

When I come home, starting work up

again is not a problem – quite often I

am offered it while I am out in the field.

I have learned to be flexible and can

work in different environments and

resources. I get a lot of respect for

giving talks in the UK which are

certainly different from your normal

‘management of high blood pressure’

ones. Colleagues think that my MSF

work helps my techniques when I am

home and I have no problems with

maintaining my registration because you

can keep up your skills while in the

field.

Simon is currently a GP in North Wales

but is also a member of the MSF UK

and MSF OCA Board. MSF is funding

him to study a Diploma in Medical

Education.

“I get a lot of respectfrom UK colleagues fordoing MSF work and itactually helps my workback here in the UK.”

© F

rance

sco Z

izola

/Noor

– Indonesi

a 2

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I came across MSF while back-packingin Cambodia and when I returned toLondon, I rang the office. It was duringthe Rwanda crisis and, because of myemergency nurse background, I wasasked: “Can you get on a plane in 36hours?” and then I was in Goma in notime and in my naivety I just got onwith it. I quickly became a projectcoordinator in the hospital and it wasnot easy.

Since then I have done a mixture of

field positions and several HQ positions.

This plethora of roles is actually

reflected in my background: although I

am a nurse, I have a degree in arts,

philosophy, and politics with major in

economics and legal studies. My master

was in Emergency and Development

Studies. Outside MSF, I have experience

in banking and small business

management as well as freelancing and

writing/editing. Quite a mixed bag really.

I have been able to manoeuvre myself

and through creativity and flexibility I

have followed quite a journey.

I was mentored within MSF and quickly

undertook roles other than nurse or PC.

To be honest, in emergencies, I have

often gone as a nurse for a short while

– or even to do logistics – that’s the

beauty of MSF. I flourish where I have

autonomy. MSF is very receptive to such

people and plays to their strengths. I

feel that I have had choices and

opportunities outside the conventional

roles. This is not unique and others

within MSF have experienced the same.

Name: JACQUI TONG

Profile: Nurse background with various other experience

MSF Missions: 11

MSF Roles: Nurse, project coordinator, medicalcoordinator, head of mission, working in theProgrammes Unit, advocacy and lobbying,research roles, training, event management,conducting evaluations and assessments, former President of MSF UK

Countries: Somalia, Sierra Leone, Iran, Philippines, Kosovo, Afghanistan, Sudan, India, Nigeria, Zimbabwe,Albania, DRC, Liberia

© Juan Carlos Tomasi/Palestinian Authority 2002

My highlights are all those ‘small

miracles’ of patients’ survival, those that

bring you back to your sense of

purpose. To describe MSF I would have

to quote Charles Dickens: “It was the

best of times; it was the worst of

times.”

Jacqui has also been President of MSF

UK Board (and member of the MSF OCA

and International Councils) and is

currently occupying the role of Senior

Advocacy and Lobbying Coordinator for

neglected diseases.

“It was the best of times;it was the worst of times.”

Name: DANI STEIN

Profile: Nurse

MSF Missions: 9

MSF Roles: Nurse

Countries: Zimbabwe, Angola, Malawi, Kenya, Ethiopia

My first humanitarian experience waswith GOAL in 1998. Having gained thisexperience I embarked on my first MSFmission in Angola in 2000.

Angola was very volatile and full of

landmines and I felt naive working in

such a context on my first mission. I

was not frightened but I certainly lacked

confidence because all this was a new

experience. I was there for six months

and felt I hadn’t had a lot to give the

people. But, on reflection, I see now

that this was not true.

My favourite area of work is nutrition

and I love seeing the direct impact my

work can have. One day, in Zimbabwe,

we admitted a ten-year-old boy called

Nevermind. He was emaciated; we didn’t

think he would make it; he was HIV

positive and an orphan. Two weeks

later, he was much better and one

month later was healthy, on ART and on

an Ambulatory Feeding Programme. It is

these survival stories that make

everything so worthwhile.

I have a passion for Africa. Two months

after each return I get itchy feet and

want to go back. I have learnt a lot

about myself and human behaviour. I

have a lot of respect for African culture.

In the press you only hear about the

corruption and the violence. I have seen

these communities and they are kind

and giving. These people have an

immense sense of ‘carrying on’ through

hardship and want to live. Western

greed has a thing or two to learn from

the simplicity of these communities.

While working with MSF I always felt

that I was in control of my choices. I

had a say over the place, the mission

and the roles I was offered. I never felt

pushed and always felt that I could say

‘No’. I could have been a PC or a

MedCo, but it was not what I wanted. A

lot of people view success as a ladder

you have to climb. I have found what I

want. It is the proximity that I love. I

want to be close to the children. I am a

nurse and that's what I want to carry on

doing. I am an active, hands-on person

and I could never survive an office

environment, with computers and endless reports. I just love

being a nurse.

Working with MSF should not be a one-off experience. On my

first mission, I didn’t have the know-how, so I understand

when other first timers do not have the optimum experience.

My other missions were definitely better; because I had picked

up the skills, the experience. I attended the Population en

Situations Précaire (PSP) MSF course. Today I have a

completely different attitude. I know MSF, I understand MSF. I

am open to the cultures I come across. We share experiences

with the national staff, I allow myself to learn from them. I

have a different approach to team work and equality.

“A lot of people viewsuccess as a ladderyou have to climb. Ijust love being anurse.”

© F

rederic

Courb

et/Panos

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om

alia 2

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My first project with MSF was as aMedical Doctor in northern Sudan in1999. It was an amazing experience andI learned so much and so quickly – Iwas given a lot of responsibility. Everyday I faced challenges and a little 9month old boy called Ali was one ofthem. He was very sick and I was notsure he would survive even 1 day. Hestayed with us for two months and nearthe end he gave me a smile, for thefirst time. While it was one of the mostrewarding moments of my career, Irealised that we were sending him backto an awful situation where there waslimited clean water, no nutritious foodand practically no health care provision.It was at this stage that I realised Iwanted to be part of the bigger picture.

As a result of wanting to work from a

broader viewpoint, my second trip was

as Project Coordinator. It was not just

about treating the people who came to

our facilities but also the possibility of

reaching those that could not make the

journey. Next to medical engagement

this also required negotiating with the

military for security reasons and

ensuring a positive team spirit.

MSF then funded me to attend the

Medical Management Course (MMC) and

the Short Course on Anti Retroviral

Treatment (SCART). I also received

financial support for my Masters in

Public Health.

After working in several countries I had

the opportunity to become a Strategic

Health Advisor in the head office. I

enjoyed supporting teams to deliver

quality medical projects with the

resources available and help them

through the dilemmas of making

impossible choices for the programmes

and the patients. I also gained insight

into the organisations big picture

discussions, which still kept patient

needs at the centre of the debate.

Name: TEJSHRI SHAH

Profile: Medical Doctor

MSF Missions: 5

MSF Roles: Medical Doctor, Project Coordinator,Medical Coordinator, Strategic Health Advisor,Head of the Manson Unit

Countries: Sudan, Indonesia, Liberia, Nigeria, DRC, Burundi, Nepal, India, Myanmar, Bangladesh,UK

“Grab life with both hands.”

My most recent position with MSF was

heading a medical unit in MSF’s London

Office that provides direct support to

field teams to implement new medical

programmes, such as care for patients

with drug resistant tuberculosis. I

enjoyed this work because it remained

focused on the practical needs on the

ground.

I have recently returned to Paediatrics in

the National Health Service and MSF

supported me in the decision to be a

frontline doctor again with some time

off and some financial support for

courses.

I feel a lot of affection for so many

colleagues and patients I have met

along the way, who have been

determined, humbling and inspiring. It’s

been a privilege to work with MSF.

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The MSF Charter

Médecins Sans Frontières offers assistance to

people in distress, to victims of natural or man-

made disasters and to victims of armed conflict,

without discrimination and irrespective of race,

religion, creed or political affiliation.

Médecins Sans Frontières observes strict

neutrality and impartiality in the name of

universal medical ethics and the right to

humanitarian assistance.

Médecins Sans Frontières demands full and

unhindered freedom in the exercise of its

functions.

Médecins Sans Frontières' volunteers undertake

to respect their professional code of ethics and

to maintain complete independence from all

political, economic and religious powers.

As volunteers, members are aware of the risks

and dangers of missions they undertake, and

have no right to compensation for themselves or

their beneficiaries other than that which

Médecins Sans Frontières is able to afford them.

Want to know more about an MSF career?

Please visit www.msf.org.uk

Or call +44 (0) 20 7067 4261

Or email [email protected]

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