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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and manage investigations into health and social issues with local communities.
- Company: Join Médecins Sans Frontières, a leading humanitarian organisation making a global impact.
- Benefits: Gain valuable experience, work in diverse environments, and contribute to meaningful change.
- Why this job: Engage deeply with communities and tackle complex health topics while making a real difference.
- Qualifications: A background in anthropology or related fields is essential; passion for social issues is a plus.
- Other info: Work permits may be required for non-passport holders of the vacancy country.
The predicted salary is between 21600 - 36000 £ per year.
Recruitment for anthropologists is currently on hold. The role of a Médecins Sans Frontières / Doctors Without Borders (MSF) anthropologist is diverse. The focus of the anthropologist's role is to design, manage and ensure the quality of often complex and multi-pronged investigations into health and social issues in the sites where MSF is working.
Activities
- Working with community members to understand pathways and barriers to accessing healthcare
- Developing deep understandings of peoples’ perceptions of complex or sensitive health topics, such as adolescent sex, addictions, mental trauma or death and dying
- Leading field research studies
- Training and managing research teams
- Working in tandem with epidemiologists to map disease transmission and contact tracing
- Doing emergency assessments and planning project strategies
- Monitoring and evaluating existing projects
- Helping to develop locally-appropriate best practice guidelines and protocols
- Sensitising MSF teams to how they are perceived in the community
Responsibilities
The postholder’s main responsibility is to design, manage and ensure the quality of often complex and multi-pronged investigations into health and social issues in the sites where MSF is working. This most often entails qualitative engagement with local people to better understand their constraints, priorities and agency, but may also include engagement with government ministries, academics and others, as well as audit or evaluation of MSF’s own work.
Duties include:
- Developing study tools to address specific questions or topics of interest to the MSF teams
- Doing literature reviews for topics of interest
- Recruiting, training and managing study teams
- Network building in the local community and country to leverage knowledge and expertise
- Leading data gathering exercises
- Leading data analysis and developing findings
- Drafting reports or other forms of output to communicate findings
- Presenting findings to MSF teams at field and headquarters
Please note that if you are NOT a passport holder of the country for the vacancy you might need a work permit.
Anthropologist employer: MSF UK
Contact Detail:
MSF UK Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Anthropologist
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the field of anthropology, especially those who have experience with NGOs like Médecins Sans Frontières. Attend relevant conferences or workshops to make connections and learn about the latest trends in health and social research.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with the specific health and social issues that MSF focuses on. Understanding their mission and the communities they serve will help you demonstrate your commitment and knowledge during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Gain practical experience by volunteering or interning with organisations that conduct similar research. This hands-on experience will not only enhance your skills but also show your dedication to the field.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare for potential interviews by practising how to articulate your research methodologies and findings clearly. Being able to communicate complex ideas simply is crucial in this role, especially when working with diverse communities.
We think you need these skills to ace Anthropologist
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, take time to thoroughly understand the responsibilities and activities of an anthropologist at Médecins Sans Frontières. This will help you tailor your application to highlight relevant experiences.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your CV and cover letter, emphasise any previous experience in qualitative research, community engagement, or health-related studies. Use specific examples to demonstrate your skills and knowledge in these areas.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that not only outlines your qualifications but also expresses your passion for humanitarian work and understanding of the complexities involved in health and social issues. Make it personal and engaging.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your application materials for any spelling or grammatical errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism.
How to prepare for a job interview at MSF UK
✨Understand the Role
Before the interview, make sure you have a solid grasp of what an anthropologist does at Médecins Sans Frontières. Familiarise yourself with their focus on health and social issues, as well as the specific activities involved in the role.
✨Showcase Your Research Skills
Be prepared to discuss your experience with qualitative research methods. Highlight any previous work where you've engaged with communities or conducted field studies, as this will be crucial for the role.
✨Demonstrate Cultural Sensitivity
Given the nature of the work, it's important to show that you understand and respect cultural differences. Be ready to share examples of how you've navigated sensitive topics in past research or community engagement.
✨Prepare Questions
Interviews are a two-way street. Prepare thoughtful questions about the organisation's current projects, challenges they face in the field, and how the anthropologist role fits into their overall mission. This shows your genuine interest in the position.
