What MSF offers

MSF is an organisation driven by strong values, and this is also true in the way we reward our staff.

1) Our remuneration principles

There are five key principles that underpin our remuneration system :

Volunteerism

Is about undertaking selfless actions without expectation of reward; but this shouldn’t simply translate as unpaid work. Volunteering with MSF can therefore include paid jobs, but our salaries reflect our humanitarian identity.

Mutuality

The relationship between MSF and its staff is mutually beneficial. MSF aims to offer benefits to staff that are proportional to their level of commitment.

Equity

All employees will be treated equitably. Equity means fair and just principles applied consistently.

Coherence

Although practices may differ between categories of staff, the treatment of all employees should be fair and just.

Responsible employer

MSF recognises that it has a responsibility to provide a high standard of support to its staff.

Specifically, as an international staff member, you will receive the following package :

• A fixed-term contract for the duration of the posting
• Monthly pay

MSF salaries are set to reflect our humanitarian identity, while also endeavouring to recognise the high level of professional expertise you bring to our organisation. You will be informed of your salary in your contracting currency before you sign the contract. However, it may also be useful to know that the amount is made up of the following parts:

A basic salary

Your previous professional experience will influence your starting basic salary; as you gain experience with MSF, you will move up the scale and receive a salary raise with each progression.

A place-of-residence top-up might be applicable depending on your country of residence. The purpose of this top-up is to help account for the wide variations in the cost of living in people’s home countries, since many of these costs continue even while you are on a field assignment.

Loyalty bonus

MSF values the time you work in the field. Irrespective of the position you hold, for every 12 months of international MSF field experience, you will receive a bonus equivalent to 2% of the entry point salary of your current position.

Per diems

In addition to your salary, you will receive a per-diem payment in the local currency to cover your daily expenses.

2) A comprehensive benefits package

Benefits are an important part of your overall package, designed to take care of your needs before, during and after your time working with MSF. Here’s a brief outline of the benefits MSF provides to all international field staff.

Insurance

• Comprehensive medical coverage
• Short- and long-term disability
• Life insurance
• Accidental death and dismemberment
• Lost and stolen luggage/items
• Medical evacuation/repatriation
•  Professional liability

Social benefits and leave

• Annual leave of initially one week every three months
• Maternity leave: a minimum of 14 weeks’ fully paid leave
• Retirement contributions

Pre- and post-assignment

• Briefings and training before heading into the field
• A pre-departure health check-up and recommended vaccinations for travelling to your assigned country
• Required visas and work permits
• Round-trip transportation to the field
• Psychosocial support before, during and after your posting
• Debriefing

Field benefits

• Accommodation
• Transport between your field accommodation and workplace
• Housekeeper and cook in all mission

3) Evolving within MSF

MSF offers opportunities to work and quickly take on responsibilities in humanitarian situations and varied medical programmes. As an employer, MSF places emphasis on staff development within the organisation and mobility between the headquarters and field projects. MSF offers the opportunity to attend classes and training courses, organised internally or externally, for specific career development within the organisation or individual growth.

4) Duty of care