Volunteer Medical Staff - Madagascar

Conservation Healthcare Brigades

Organization: Conservation Allies

Location: Rural Madagascar (Toliara & Sambava regions)

Duration: 12+ weeks (minimum 3 months)

Start Dates: Rolling throughout the year

This is an opportunity to practice medicine where it truly matters — on the frontlines of global health and conservation.

About the Opportunity

Join a unique field-based medical initiative delivering essential healthcare to remote communities living around protected areas in Madagascar — the 4th largest island on Earth and one of its most biologically unique places. You will work alongside Malagasy doctors and nurses in mobile healthcare brigades, providing vital services to communities (adjacent to Protected Areas) with little or no access to care.

Who We Are Looking For

We welcome applications from North America and Europe who are:

• Licensed doctors (GP, OB/GYN, pediatrics are ideal)
• Registered nurses and midwives
• Final-year medical students

Key Focus Areas

• Women’s health & gynecological care
• Maternal health (prenatal/postnatal)
• Child health and vaccinations
• Family planning services
• Primary care in low-resource settings

What Makes This Unique

By volunteering for this Program, you’ll get to work in some of the most remote communities in the world, be part of a conservation-linked healthcare model, collaborate directly with local Malagasy medical teams, and deliver high-impact care where it is most needed.

Field Conditions

This is not a typical volunteer placement. You must be prepared for:

• Occasionally hiking up to 5 km (3 miles) to reach villages
• Camping or basic accommodations (camp bed, mosquito net, and bedding required)
• 4x4 vehicles, motorbike pillion, and traditional zebu cattle carts
• Physically demanding road conditions
• Hot, humid subtropical weather (sporadic rains January-March)

Requirements

• Minimum three months volunteer period
• Relevant medical qualification or training (documentation requested during vetting)
• Physically fit and comfortable in remote settings
• Cultural sensitivity and teamwork mindset
• English and French language skills (a translator will be arranged for Malagasy)
• Financial responsibilities: covering your costs, as listed below

All applicants are vetted, and you will be requested to share documentation of qualifications.

Financial Responsibilities & Support

Volunteers are responsible for covering:

• The cost of their own international travel (including flights and any transit)
• Accommodation: for 21 days a month in villages at little or no cost, then in hotels in cities for 8-10 days a month (from $20 a night)
• Meals throughout the placement (approx. $10-20 a day)
• Costs of a translator may be needed ($300 for 21 days in the field)
• Comprehensive travel insurance, which must remain valid for the duration of their stay

Field costs per month (21 days) is approx. $300, while in cities (8-10 days) approx. $500, depending on the hotel selected. Overall, we expect volunteer expenses are less than $1,000 a month.

Conservation Allies will provide support for costs directly related to volunteer operations, including local transportation to and between communities, as well as all necessary medical supplies and equipment required to carry out the responsibilities of the position.

What You’ll Gain

• Hands-on global health experience that links to nature conservation
• Direct exposure to tropical and rural medicine
• Cross-cultural collaboration with local medical teams
• Direct, measurable impact on the world’s most vulnerable communities

Safety

Madagascar is a safe and stable country, with no civil conflict. Conservation Allies provides guidance and support to ensure safe field operations.

How to Apply

To apply, submit the following information by email to volunteer@conservationallies.org:

• A statement of interest to apply for this volunteer opportunity including commitment to the conditions and requirements
• A list of available dates for volunteering
• A CV/Resume with relevant medical experience, link to your LinkedIn profile, your full name, address, citizenship, and WhatsApp contact