Collaborating with local colleagues
A cornerstone of Gail’s work has been her collaboration with locally hired staff, who are central to MSF’s success. "I primarily worked with the national staff in each of my assignments, deliberately because I enjoyed understanding how their lives were impacted and how we could possibly make things a little bit easier for them."
During her first assignment in Afghanistan, she supported women on her team who faced significant restrictions in their professional lives. “Support was provided through training on the job so that they were ready for their next career opportunity, through to support in interactions with male colleagues and issues with public transportation to and from work. It was important to listen and understand the restrictions on their family life and social life, and to understand the importance of being able to come to work each day to support their family,” she said.
In Palestine, Gail’s responsibilities included managing payroll systems, coordinating training programs, and ensuring administrative continuity in a high-turnover environment. While supporting the modular field hospital being established in Gaza, she focused on helping new recruits adapt to MSF’s systems. "Helping them understand what was happening in the payroll system and what some of the policy rules were about was really quite enjoyable. I felt like I was actually contributing to making their life a little bit easier," she said.
Facing new challenges on assignment
Her most recent assignment in Jerusalem brought new challenges, including working in a region marked by conflict and tension. Gail observed, "When I was in Nablus, there were Israeli military vehicles coming into the checkpoint or had been through the checkpoint." Despite these obstacles, she found the dedication of MSF’s teams and their deep connections to local communities inspiring.
As part of her work supporting the team in Gaza, her duties extended to helping the national team to onboard new team members. "We were inducting people while the hospital was being built for them. It was very challenging for the local team, yet fulfilling, to see it all happening," she said.
For Gail, the most important aspect of her work was ensuring that the voices of the national staff were heard and recognised. "They are the backbone of operations. It is important to understand their challenges, to provide them with the things necessary for success," she said.
Words of advice
For those considering a role with MSF, Gail offers encouragement: "If you’re ready to contribute in an environment that’s often unpredictable or uncertain, and you don’t mind what kind of accommodation you’re living in, then you absolutely should apply. It’s an incredibly rewarding experience."
