OCBA
Applications for January 2026 and September 2026 are now open until 15th April 2025.
What is the vision for LEAP?
The goal of LEAP is to enable MSF to develop a better prepared and more capable workforce and future leadership that reflects the great diversity of the organization and enables our staff to evolve as humanitarians.
LEAP looks to complement operational humanitarian experience with multidisciplinary academic expertise. We want to support our staff in developing and strengthening their capacity for leadership, operational management, and strategic vision through reflective learning and critical analysis of humanitarian contexts, as well as through the integration of research outcomes and the exchange of knowledge and practice from across MSF. LEAP empowers staff to learn, innovate, network, and stay curious, which is crucial to fulfil our mission and to best serve the people and communities we work with.
We want to ensure that there is equitable, needs-based access to development opportunities for all our staff with leadership and management potential, with a strong focus on those who have benefited least historically and who would otherwise have fewer opportunities to access higher education. We want to invest in staff capacity in the long-term and recognise local staff potential, striving to bring operational management closer in proximity to the populations we serve.
Who is LEAP at OCBA for?
Staff with a minimum of 12 months working with MSF for Locally Hired Staff and Internationally Mobile Staff, or a minimum of 24 months working with MSF for HQ staff.
Medical and non-medical staff
International Mobile, Locally Recruited, and HQ staff
Staff working in OCBA country programmes, HQ offices, partner sections, and branch offices.
Staff with or without an undergraduate degree
Note: If you do not have an undergraduate degree but have developed your skills through your professional experience in the humanitarian sector, your application will still be considered; however, entry will be at the discretion of the university
Note: If you already have a postgraduate degree, your application will be considered, but please note that we prioritise those without the means or access to postgraduate education
Staff with a minimum English level of C1 (see below for further detail on English requirements).
Whom do we particularly encourage to apply?
We particularly encourage applications from staff with some management experience within their role, and/or those who are technical specialists. These include (but are not limited to):
Staff in country programme or country programme-facing roles
Locally recruited staff
Self-identified women and people outside of the gender binary
Medical and non-medical coordinators
Doctors, nurses, and paramedical staff
Supervisors
Activity managers
Deputies/ assistants
Our approach to diversity, equity and inclusion is to ensure that Learning and Development is accessible for everyone. For this reason, we particularly encourage women in frontline positions and staff from all nationalities, origins and with diverse horizons to apply.
How are applicants selected?
LEAP is a competitive programme. The number of seats (12 seats annually in total for OCBA) corresponds to a small percentage of total applications. In 2024, OCBA received 45 applications.
LEAP selection committees are usually formed of representatives from several HQ departments.
The selection committee considers candidates’ aptitude, motivation, critical thinking and reflection, relevant experience, mini essay, and leadership and management potential.
The selection committee considers the candidate’s previous level of education, with a focus on ensuring academic diversity in the classroom. Students’ education level ranges from those with existing master’s degrees, usually in subjects outside of Humanitarian Practice, to those who have not previously studied at university level.
Candidates will be selected based on their professional potential in relation to MSF’s operational challenges, relevant experience and motivation, as reflected in their application.
Applications from candidates that have not have access to postgraduate education and have not benefited from other MSF long-term programs will be prioritized.
In addition, the Selection Committee will ensure that the selection process takes into account the need to promote access to staff groups that have traditionally had less opportunities to participate in this type of learning programs.
This programme is offered in good faith that the graduates will remain with MSF for some time after graduation. As such, please refrain from applying if you are aware that your contract with MSF is coming to an end and you are unlikely to return to MSF employment in the near future. The Permanence Commitment after completion of the PG Certificate is 12 months.
English language requirements
It is essential that your English language level is at a C1 minimum to take the LEAP.
If you have never taken an official English test or if the one you have is more than 2 years old, you can take an online E F SET test of 90 minutes, free-of-charge, to give you an idea of your level and for the first step of your application.
If selected by OCBA for the LEAP Program, you will then have to take a full Standard English Language Test (SELT), which OCBA will pay for and which you need to apply to the university.
For a full guide on the English language test equivalents and requirements, please read this document carefully: English Language Requirements LEAP.
Course delivery and study pathway
OCBA candidates must first apply for for the 60-credit PG Certificate pathway. Once progressing successfully through the PG Certificate pathway, OCBA students will be invited to express their interest in continuing onto the PG Diploma or MSc pathway.
The courses will be delivered through a blended learning programme, combining face-to-face teaching (including intensive courses taught over 1-2 weeks) with content delivered remotely through an online learning platform. You can find more information on the course content available here.
For candidates interested in studying specific individual modules, please visit the standalone modules webpage for further information.
How can you apply?
There are two parts to the application process.
Part 1: Fill out the online application form: [LINK]
Part 2: Email the documents detailed below to leap.bcn@barcelona.msf.org:
Up-to-date Curriculum Vitae (CV)
500-word essay describing a topic you would like to raise, discuss, and tackle in the programme
The results of the free online EF SET certificate test, showing a minimum C1 level or equivalent (EF SET test)
Additionally, you have the option to include a short audio where you explain how the LEAP programme fits in your career development path and how it could contribute to your current job and/or future career. The audio can be recorded with a smartphone, webcam or any other suitable application and should be no longer than 3 minutes.
If you are accepted by MSF, you will then have to apply directly to the University of Manchester, who will make the final decision on your application. Successful applicants will be instructed on how to apply to the University of Manchester. You will be informed on the outcome of your application to OCBA by end May 2025.
Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Please, kindly also read the OCBA Conditions and Student Commitment Guidance Document attached, to be aware of the commitment required. This form will have to be signed if your application is validated.
Funding and conditions for those at OCBA
OCBA HQ will cover all *attendance costs for LEAP students.
*Attendance costs we will cover: flights, accommodation in the UK, per diems, visa fees (if applicable) and English language tests (if applicable).
If you are an HRCo or line manager responsible for the management of LEAP students, please see the HR Information page for further information on the expected study time/commitment for LEAP students and what resources the mission/ HQ will need to provide.
Important: If the applicant is successful, the mission and LEAP student will need to adhere to the OCBA Conditions and Student Commitment Guidance Document. This form is an agreement between the student, mission, and their OC on the study conditions, and responsibilities of managers and students.
Contact details
• For questions about academic content, or your eligibility, please contact the UK LEAP team: LEAP@london.msf.org or the University of Manchester: leapmsf@manchester.ac.uk
Please remember that LEAP is open to all staff with leadership potential! To make sure this message reaches all our staff, please distribute this message widely amongst your team members and colleagues.
We are looking forward to receiving your application!
GO TO STUDY IN 2024/2025