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.
- Other info: Work permits may be required for non-passport holders of the vacancy country.
- 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.
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 in London employer: MSF UK
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity for anthropologists to engage in meaningful work that directly impacts communities in need. With a strong commitment to employee growth and a collaborative work culture, MSF provides extensive training and support, ensuring that team members are well-equipped to tackle complex health and social issues. Working in diverse and challenging environments, employees benefit from the chance to make a real difference while developing their professional skills in a globally respected organisation.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Anthropologist in London
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at MSF UK.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from MSF UK!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like MSF UK, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at MSF UK or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Anthropologist in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to MSF UK:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to MSF UK! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at MSF UK
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
