PHYSIOTHERAPIST

About

Médecins Sans Frontières is a private, non-profit international humanitarian organization dedicated to providing medical assistance to populations in crisis, without discrimination and regardless of race, religion, creed or political affiliation. In Malawi, MSF works in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and the local community in Cervical Cancer projects Blantyre districts. MSFF is looking for its Blantyre Cervical Cancer Project Office: PHYSIOTHERAPIST – DAILY WORKER

Workplace: Queen Elizabeth Central hospital Blantyre

Main purpose of the position

Following medical indication, assess patients’ physical condition, plan and deliver individual intervention, aiming to maintain, improve and/or rehabilitate function, prioritizing prevention and managing existing physical disabilities, in a person-centred approach.

Main responsibilities

• Assess patient physical competencies and capacity, selecting, using, and interpreting the appropriate objective tests, procedures, and questionnaires to discuss and establish treatment objectives.
• Elaborate and implement physiotherapy programs, including behavioural therapy, exercise, mobilization, and specific devices (electro-stimulation, biofeedback, dilators), educating patients and caretakers on prevention and treatment of conditions, envisioning optimal functional outcomes.
• Actively monitor physiotherapy activities – correctly filling in patient files, forms, and data sheets – analysing and reporting data for optimization of the quality of care and work capacity, preserving data traceability, and delivering proper feedback to the supervisor and medical team.
• Participate in multidisciplinary meetings, aiming for comprehensive and patient-centred care.
• Manage and monitor physiotherapy materials & equipment, pharma and logistics stock, issuing orders according to activity, and ensuring continuous availability of consumables and equipment.
• Report to the supervisor if any problem arising in the service, especially the loss/robbery/damage of medical equipment or medicines, activating the appropriate measures.

Specific accountabilities

Malawi has the highest cervical cancer incidence (76/100,000) and mortality rate (50/100,000) in the world, with an estimated 3,684 new cases and 2,314 deaths a year. Eastern and Southern Africa, including Malawi, also have one of the highest HIV prevalence, which contributes significantly to the cancer incidence. Despite ongoing efforts to provide cancer screening and treatment services, the care coverage remains low. Hence, in 2018 MSF launched an onco-gynae project, envisioning a comprehensive pathway of care. Physiotherapy activities debuted in 2022 and have been progressively building capacity to deliver quality care to women at high risk of functional disabilities or who present dysfunctions. Due to the specificities of the required physiotherapy interventions, the recruited physiotherapist(s) will benefit from on-the-job training.

Responsibilities:

• Participating in the different activities, including but not limited to IPD, OPD, Home Base Care, and Decentralized activities for assessment & follow-up of surgical, chemo, CCRT and palliative cohorts by: Attending and actively taking part of the ward rounds in IPD to ensure individual treatment plans during pre- and post-operational care.
• Delivering pre-op physical assessment and early mobilization after surgery.
• Delivering health prevention and promotion strategies related to post-surgical/chemo/radiotherapy functional complications, namely respiratory dysfunctions, lymphedema, PFDs (pelvic floor dysfunctions), Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) and possible nerve damage.
• Undertaking comprehensive assessment and follow-up of ambulatory patients. Formulate and conduct clinically reasonable treatment plans, including, but not limited to: Bladder & Bowel incontinence, Post-CCRT Vaginal Stenosis, Pelvic Organ Prolapse, Urinary retention, Vaginal Stenosis, Dyspareunia, Pelvic Pain Syndrome, Chemo-induced Peripheral Neuropathy and Post-op Neuropathic pain, Respiratory problems, Lymphedema, Scar tissue complications.
• In collaboration with the palliative and social-support teams, plan and conduct physiotherapy-related interventions during Home Base Care.
• To guarantee proper follow-up, consistently complete medical records, schedule appointments according to clinical need and workload capacity, and perform phone follow-ups whenever indicated.
• Ensure daily data collection of the delivered clinical care.
• Remaining flexible, cooperating within the multidisciplinary team, and on request of the managers, performing any other task needed to ensure the highest possible quality of care, good organization of the ward.

Requirements

Education:

• Degree in Physiotherapy

Experience:

• Essential, 2 Years of work experience related to diploma/degree
• Experience in Oncology is an asset;
• Specific interest in Women’s Health is required.

Knowledge:

• Essential computer literacy (Word, Excel and Outlook)

Language:

• Fluency in English and Chichewa (Written and Oral)

Competencies:

• Results and Quality Orientation L1; Teamwork and cooperation L2; Behavioural Flexibility L1; Commitment to MSF principles L1; Desire to pass on skills and educate other medical staff.

How to Apply

Click here to apply or Scan the QR code below.

The closing date for receiving applications is Friday 14th August 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-blantyre-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.