Obstetrician and Gynaecologist

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)

JOB VACANCY
MÉDECINS SANS FRONTIÈRES FRANCE
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is a non-profit, independent international humanitarian organization committed to delivering medical aid to populations facing crises, with a steadfast commitment to impartiality and without regard to race, religion, creed, or political affiliation. In Malawi, MSF collaborates closely with the Ministry of Health and the local community, particularly in the Cervical Cancer project in the Blantyre and Chiradzulu districts, as well as the CBO Project in Zalewa and Dedza District. MSFF is looking for its Blantyre Office:
OBSTETRICIAN GYNAECOLOGIST – 1 POSITION
Workplace: Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital – Blantyre
Type of contract : 1-year Fixed term with possibility of extension
Start date: August 2026
Background
Malawi has the highest cervical cancer incidence (76/100,000) and mortality rate (50/100,000) in the world, representing an estimated 3,684 new cases and 2,314 deaths annually. Eastern and Southern Africa, including Malawi, also has one of the highest HIV prevalence, which contributes significantly to the cancer incidence, as HIV positive women are significantly more likely to develop cervical cancer when infected with HPV. Despite ongoing efforts to provide cancer screening and treatment services by the Ministry of Health and international organizations, care coverage remains low in comparison to the scale of the need in the country.
MSF, in response to this need, is implementing a unique comprehensive oncology project in Malawi. The project aims to encompass all components of gynaecologic oncology care (mostly cervical cancers) from primary to tertiary prevention through the collaborative work of a multidisciplinary medical team embedded at the Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital (QECH) and community health centres in the Blantyre and Chiradzulu districts in Malawi.
The gynaecologist will work closely with surgeons specialized in gynaecological cancers. Therefore, a general gynaecology background will suffice and specialization in onco-gynaecological surgery is not required for the position. However, the ability to stage gynaecological cancers properly, provide pre- and post-operative follow-up, and treat precancerous lesions (LEEP, cone biopsy, etc…) will be necessary skillsets for the position.
Main Purpose
Justification
Implement gynaecological and obstetrician procedures, performing any other prior treatment required, this will be done in accordance with MSF policies, protocols and universal hygiene standards and in multidisciplinary collaboration with other medical doctors, midwives and nurses services,
Main Responsibilities
  • Apply medical knowledge and skills for prevention, diagnosis and Treatment.
  • Carry out outpatient and inpatient consultations, prescribing the necessary treatment respecting MSF protocols.
  • Keep the patient and/or his/her family informed about the illness and provide appropriate explanations about the treatment to follow, checking they have understood
  • Follow up the evolution of the hospitalized/IPD patients, through scheduled visits, consultations and examinations, prescribing the necessary treatment following MSF protocols, deciding whether they can be discharged or transferred to other departments – in collaboration with other doctors- and informing their family about the patient’s evolution.
  • Check and control the rational distribution of medicines and equipment under his/her responsibility and take care of the quality, disinfection and sterilization of the medical material. Assure general compliance with standing hygiene standards.
  • Participate in the collection and analysis of epidemiological data if needed, and inform the line manager about any problem or complication of the patient’s illness, medical error
  • Ensure ongoing training of the medical/paramedical multidisciplinary team in order to optimize the quality of care.
  • Knows and ensures all MSF medical protocols are followed and implemented, checking universal precautions are followed at all times and reducing bio-hazard risks and improving infection control. Ensures professional confidentiality is respected.
  • Participating in emergencies and on callsif necessary.
  • Participate in capacity building at the hospital as well as in external activity (gynecological decentralization activity, screening,)
Specific Accountabilities
1. Core Clinical Responsibilities
  • Provide comprehensive gynaecological care across outpatient clinics, inpatient wards, and operating theatre services under MSF-supported programmes.
  • Conduct clinical assessments, ultrasound staging (as trained), treatment planning, and structured follow-up of patients.
  • Participate in daily ward rounds and the on-call rotation, responding to gynaecological and oncological emergencies.
  • Perform outpatient consultations, including initial assessments and pre- and post-chemotherapy or radiotherapy evaluations.
  • Manage associated gynaecological conditions, including abdominal pain, bleeding, discharge, sexually transmitted infections, termination of pregnancy, and other routine or emergency presentations.
  • Manage oncologic complications including ascites, bowel obstruction, renal impairment, anaemia, thromboembolism, sepsis, and transfusion-related issues.
2. Oncology-Specific Responsibilities
  • Participate as a core member of the multidisciplinary team (MDT) for premalignant and malignant cases and accurately document decisions in the electronic medical record.
  • Recognise indications for concurrent chemoradiation therapy and support preparation and management of treatment-related side effects.
  • Conduct structured follow-up of oncology patients, including:
    • Assessment for recurrence, progression, or metastasis
    • Monitoring and management of therapy-related complications (menopause, lymphoedema, vaginal stenosis, neuropathy, etc.)
    • Perform HPV testing for follow-up patients according to MSF guidelines.
    • Support disclosure sessions when required.
    • Perform limited gap-filling clinical roles during onco surgeon leave, within scope of competence.
3. Surgical Responsibilities
A. Independent Core Procedures
  • Colposcopy (including interpretation of visual and microscopic findings).
  • Pap smear, cervical/vaginal/vulvar/endometrial biopsy and curettage.
  • Ablative procedures.
  • Total abdominal hysterectomy (TAH).
  • Total vaginal hysterectomy (TVH).
  • Cervical conisation.
  • Loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP).
  • Wide local excision (WLE) of vulvar lesions.
B. Advanced Oncology Procedures (Training Pathway)
  • Participate in structured supervised training in:
    • Radical abdominal hysterectomy
    • Cytoreductive surgery for ovarian malignancy
    • Surgical staging for uterine malignancy
    • Radical vulvectomy with groin lymph node dissection
    • Perform advanced oncologic procedures independently only after formal competency assessment.
4. Ultrasound Training & Service Continuity
  • Undergo structured training in transvaginal and transabdominal ultrasound.
  • Following demonstrated competency, contribute to sustainability of ultrasound services and peer skill transfer.
5. Quality, Governance & Policy
  • Participate in morbidity and mortality reviews, including case identification and presentation.
  • Contribute to drafting and reviewing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
  • Implement MSF clinical policies and infection prevention protocols, including antibiotic prophylaxis, thromboprophylaxis, transfusion policy, and accidental blood exposure management.
  • Ensure oncology care adheres to international clinical guidelines within the constraints of the local context.
  • Collaborate with other hospital departments (surgery, internal medicine, radiology, pathology, oncology, radiotherapy).
  • Support VIA outreach activities and participate in monthly photo review.
6. Training & Capacity Building
  • Provide surgical, bedside, and theoretical teaching to medical students, interns, residents, clinical officers, nurses, and other healthcare professionals.
  • Support external training activities and capacity-building initiatives related to gynaecologic oncology.
7. Reporting & Administrative Responsibilities
  • Contribute to programme reporting, including situation reports and medical statistical reports as required.
Requirements
Education:
  • Essential, Master of Medicine in Obstetrics and Gynaecology or equivalent
  • Oncology diploma is desirable
  • Full Registration with medical council of Malawi
Experience:
  • Essential at least 2-year certified work experience in Obstetric Gynecology
  • Experience in onco-gynecology with experience in ultrasound staging is desirable
  • Desirable previous experience with MSF or other NGO’s in developing countries
Languages
  • Essential mission language (English); local working language would be an asset (Chichewa)
Knowledge
  • Essential computer literacy (word, excel, Power point), willingness to learn electronic medical record…
Competencies
  • Results
  • Teamwork
  • Flexibility
  • Commitment
  • Stress management
How to apply
Click here to apply or Scan the QR code below.
Applicants meeting the requirements are encouraged to send their Cover Letter, Updated CV, ID Copy, and relevant certificates, in Pdf or word format.
The closing date for receiving applications is Monday 6th July 2026
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
MSF offers equal recruitment and development opportunities without any form of discrimination based on gender, religion, sexual orientation, ethnicity, geographical origin, physical disability or any other discriminatory ground.
Female candidates who meet the requirements are strongly encouraged to apply.
MSF is committed to applying Safe Recruitment principles, ensuring transparent, fair, and respectful recruitment processes that protect candidates, the organization, and its beneficiaries.
MSF does not charge any application/recruitment or training fees: if ever you are requested to pay any amount to process your application or access employment with MSF, do not pay and please inform the MSF administration on email: msff-lilongwe-recruitment@paris.msf.org as soon as possible.
N.B.: This job description provides a framework for the main responsibilities and primary activities of the position. It is not exhaustive.