Interview with MSF
Wow – had a very interesting day today. Ended up taking half the day off and went to have my interview with Medecins sans Frontiere (she told me they never say it the long way – it’s always MSF – so that’s how it will be for me now as well).
Firstly I had to sit a horrible test for an hour. I should probably explain that I have applied for the general position of Logistician with MSF. A Logistician is the person who goes with the doctors and nurses, and basically organises them. Logistician’s are responsible for the following tasks: transport, warehousing, purchasing of food and medications, needs assessments, IT, fleet management, office management, finances, oh the list goes on and on.
So anyway I had to sit this test to see if I have enough skills to be considered to work with MSF. The test had five parts, 13 question in each part. I had to achieve at least 8 correct questions in a part to be deemed competent in that area. And I had to gain a competency in at least 3 areas.
Well the first part was in Mechanics. Ba bong!! Totally flunked it! I know NOTHING about cars! What is a carburhettor (sp?) engine anyway? Then the next one was in Electrical! Totally flunked it again!! Very bad. Fortunately the last three areas were in Information and Communications Technology (passed with flying colours fortunately), Supply Chain Management (another one of my fortes) and then miscellaneous, which I just scraped in on.
So after being deemed competent, we sat down for an interview for about an hour and a half. Fascinating conversation. Felt very nervous and shakey (which could have something to do with the few drinks I had last night (that’s another story – somehow ended up at my bosses house on the other other end of the city – sleeping on his couch… I digress).
I had to tell all of the reasons why I wanted to work in the Humanitarian Sector which I think went well, until the inevitable question – will you work in conflict areas, and if not, why not. I had to explain that I had made a promise to my folks not to put myself in extremely dangerous situations. She said that was fine, but that it would reduce my opportunities.
All in all, I feel fairly confident about it all. Now it’s all about waiting to find out what happens. She said that I should hear within the next three weeks. Sometimes I’m not sure if I will be happier with a yes or a no answer….