Applications for study in January 2026 or September 2026 are now open.

Applications will close on 8th September 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 OCG for?

The OCG vision for LEAP is built on the values of diversity, inclusion and equity. These values have been a priority in OCG since the ‘People, people, people’ statement (ExCom,  October 2017) and by OCG’s firm commitment to build an inclusive work environment in order to leverage the skills and expertise of a diverse workforce (OCG’s 2020 strategic plan). 

• All staff with a minimum of 24 months of MSF experience within the last 7 years

• Medical and non-medical staff

• International Mobile, Locally Recruited, and HQ staff

• Staff working in OCG 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 binary

• Medical and non-medical coordinators

• Doctors, nurses, and paramedical staff

• Supervisors

• Activity managers

• Deputies/ assistants

The final selection will reflect the diversity of MSF's global workforce. We will ensure that the number of LRS candidates selected is at least equal to that of IMS candidates, with the aspiration of achieving a balanced gender representation among the final candidates.

How are applicants selected?

• LEAP is a competitive programme. The number of seats (10 seats annually in total for OCG – 5 on PG Cert and 5 on PG Dip) corresponds to a small percentage of total 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. 

• OCG is keen to facilitate the representation of all staff groups in the programme, particularly female staff and LRS. Medical and paramedical profiles will be prioritised at selection, but all are welcome to apply.

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.

English language requirements

It is essential that your English language level is at a C1 minimum to take the LEAP.

C1 is defined as “proficient user of the language, able to perform complex tasks related to work and study.” This includes “understanding a wide range of demanding, longer texts, expressing yourself fluently, and the ability to produce clear, well-structured detailed text on complex subjects.”

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 OCG for the LEAP Program, you will then have to take a full Standard English Language Test (SELT), which OCG 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 

OCG candidates must first apply for for the 60-credit PG Certificate or PG Diploma pathway. Once progressing successfully through the first stage, OCG 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.

Interested ? Send your application !

For the Post-Graduate Certificate

1. Fill out the application form by clicking on this link

2. Upload the following documents in this folder by renaming them with your LAST NAME_NAME:

• A short audio recording/voice-note of yourself, discussing your motivation to do LEAP

• CV / Career Résumé

• English language test result / certification - minimum C1 (if you don’t have one, you can take a free 90-minute EF Set test (minimum level C1 required)

• 500-word essay describing a topic I would like to raise, discuss, and tackle in the LEAP programme

• Recommendation letter

• The 2026_OCG Conditions and Student Commitment Guidance Document_LEAP signed (here attached)

3. Fill out this short MSForm

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

For the Post-Graduate Diploma

1. Scan the following QR Code from your smartphone OR fill out the application form by clicking on this link

2. Upload the following documents in this folder by renaming them with your LAST NAME_NAME:

• A short audio recording/voice-note of yourself, discussing your motivation to do LEAP

• CV / Career Résumé

• English language test result / certification : minimum C1 (if you don’t have one, you can take a free 90-minute EF Set test (minimum level C1 required)

• 500-word essay describing a topic I would like to raise, discuss, and tackle in the LEAP programme

• Recommendation letter

• The 2026_OCG Conditions and Student Commitment Guidance Document_LEAP signed (here attached)

3. Fill out this short MSForm

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Before submitting your application, you must discuss it with your HRCO (for those in the field), your Pool Manager (for those between missions), Carolina SANCHEZ-VERGARA (for HQ staff); as well as with your direct line manager for information (field or HQ level).

All applicants will be informed of the outcome of the internal MSF selection process by OCG by the end of September.

Funding

The course fees (university tuition) are covered by MSF UK. Attendance costs for staff (visas, accommodation, travel, per diem, etc.) will be fully covered by OCG.

Students who start on the course during this time will continue to have their tuition fees supported.

If your contract is closed whilst on the programme, you will be supported to the nearest qualification exit point.

Contact

• For general information on LEAP, please see the internal MSF LEAP website, www.msfleap.org. or contact LEAP@london.msf.org.

• For questions about your application, please email the L&D Officers: Learning.GVA@geneva.msf.org

• For questions about academic content or your eligibility, please contact the University of Manchester: leapmsf@manchester.ac.uk

To ensure we find the most diverse group of students for this programme, please disseminate this message widely amongst your team members and colleagues.

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