Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) UK is a fair and responsible employer committed to ensuring that all returned field staff are provided with the support necessary to develop their knowledge, skills and competencies.
An MSF doctor studies on project in Malawi, 2006.
Photo by Julie Remy
The purpose of any development is to improve staff performance, maximise their contribution, and progress their career with MSF for the benefit of our medical programmes. Learning and development at MSF UK is integrated with performance review and career development opportunities. All returned field staff are responsible for identifying their development needs, identifying appropriate ways to learn, engaging in the learning, applying and evaluating it. The Learning and Development Officer for MSF UK will provide support and ensure that all field staff have equal access to learning and development opportunities.
Types of Learning
There are different types of development activities that an individual can undertake to suit specific learning objectives or the individual’s learning style:
- On-the-job training
For many employees, the greater part of their training will be 'on the job'. This type of learning should be a continuous process and form a part of every employee's development.
- Internal training
This refers to the courses delivered at the MSF office by external trainers or internal resources to address learning needs common to a number of employees.
- MSF training
The operational centres’ training brochures and the international training plan outline all the courses and programmes available to MSF field employees. The application and selection process is managed by the operational centres for which the field employees currently work or will work, as described in the brochures.
- Further education
This includes under-graduate and post-graduate programmes, certificates, diplomas and all other accredited qualifications.
- Computer based learning and e-learning
MSF UK can provide interactive self-learning technical courses on a CD-ROM (e.g. TB).
- External training
Training providers sourced by MSF UK deliver this type of learning activity externally. Individuals can suggest an appropriate course or seek advice from the MSF UK Learning and Development Officer.
- Self-studying / reading
The learning is co-ordinated solely by the employee with varying degrees of managerial input. MSF UK runs a library service that can be utilised as an information and resource centre by all MSF employees who can borrow books, CD-ROMs and DVDs. To access the MSF UK Library search facility from the internet, please click here or copy and paste this URL into your browser: http://bibis.amsterdam.msf.org/opc/index.html (select MSF UK as the sectional library), or click here to contact the MSF UK Learning and Development Officer or the MSF UK Library.
- Placements / secondments
Where appropriate and feasible, MSF encourages office employees, with specific experience, to work in the field and field employees to take on office roles. This retains and enhances organisational knowledge within MSF UK.
Useful links
For further information on any of the above, please click here to contact the MSF UK Learning and Development Officer.