Humanitarian relief is one dynamic sector. With the onslaught of natural disasters and incidence of civil unrest, it is very easy to lose sight of who’s doing what, and where help is needed.

In this industry, two key indicators drive the job market: major events and money.

What’s the major event of the day? Where’s it happening? Who’s providing the financial support? For job seekers, knowing the answer to these questions is key to determining how they can best position themselves to take advantage of career opportunities.

Government donors such the U.S. State Department, the U.S. Agency for International Development and the European Commission contribute about 90 percent of all funding for humanitarian relief work, mainly of international nonprofits. These relief agencies have job openings that would require direct service or field work.

Many humanitarian groups are headquartered in Europe and the U.S., but they tend to have offices in regions and countries where their services are needed.

Listed below are some of the major players in humanitarian assistance.

Action Against Hunger
ACF jobs page | ACF job notices in Devex

• Headquarters: New York, USA
• Operations: About 40 countries in Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East
• Sector(s): Nutrition, water and sanitation, food security, health, advocacy
• Opportunities: Staff positions, consultancy, internship, volunteer posts
• Web site: http://www.actionagainsthunger.org/

ACF has full-time, consultancy, and volunteer jobs at its country offices in the U.S., U.K., France, Spain and Canada. Field positions that need filling on an ongoing basis include the country director, logistics coordinator and field coordinator posts. The organization’s New York headquarters also offers a competitive internship program throughout the year.

ActionAid International
ActionAid jobs page | ActionAid job notices in Devex

• Headquarters: Johannesburg, South Africa
• Operations: 50 countries in Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East
• Sector(s): Education, HIV/AIDS, food rights, emergencies, women and girls, governance
• Opportunities: Staff positions, consultancy, internship, volunteer posts
• Web site: http://www.actionaid.org/

ActionAid International prides itself on its “rights analysis and approach that puts poor and excluded people at the center of responses.” Of its 2,633 staff, 89 percent come from developing countries. It also has partnerships with more than 2,000 local organizations. Staff, volunteer and consultancy opportunities with country offices are listed on respective national sites. Internship opportunities are available at its Washington, D.C., office.

AECOM International Development
AECOM jobs page | AECOM job notices in Devex

• Headquarters: Arlington, Va., USA
• Operations: 60 countries in Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East
• Sector(s): Economic growth, environment and regional development, industrial and commercial area, democracy and governance, crisis response and stabilization, urban infrastructure
• Opportunities: Staff positions, consultancy
• Web site: http://www.aecominterdev.com/index.html

The crisis response and stabilization arm of AECOM International Development focuses on stabilization, peace building, community-based reconstruction, and disaster response and mitigation. The organization currently seeks project managers, coordinators and technical advisors. A full listing of job vacancies can be found on the organization’s recruiting portal.

Agency for Technical Cooperation and Development
Acted jobs page | Acted job notices in Devex

• Headquarters: Paris, France
• Operations: 24 countries in Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East
• Sector(s): Emergency relief, food security, health promotion, education and training, economic development, microfinance, advocacy, cultural promotion
• Opportunities: Staff positions
• Web site: http://www.acted.org/

Acted develops about 260 projects a year and employs around 160 international and more than 2,800 national staff. It currently has vacancies in operations, logistics, management and communication. Some of staff benefits include living, housing and luggage allowances, as well as health coverage and pension.

American Refugee Committee International
ARC jobs page | ARC job notices in Devex

• Headquarters: Minneapolis, Minn., USA
• Operations: Liberia, Pakistan, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Thailand, Uganda
• Sector(s): Disaster response, gender-based violence, economic opportunities, reproductive health care
• Opportunities: Staff positions, internship, volunteer posts
• Web site: http://www.arcrelief.org/

ARC offers volunteer and internship opportunities at its Minneapolis headquarters and field offices. Through its rapid response team, professionals can participate in short-term humanitarian and emergency assignments.

Care International
Care jobs page | Care job notices in Devex

• Headquarters: Atlanta, Ga., USA
• Operations: 66 countries in Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East
• Sector(s): Disaster response, gender-based violence, economic opportunities, reproductive health care
• Opportunities: staff positions, internship, volunteer posts, consultancy, fellowship
• Web site: http://www.care.org/

Care offers internships, fellowships and consultancy positions in its country offices and Atlanta headquarters. Typical positions with its emergency response team include team leaders, program assessment coordinators, safety and security advisors, logisticians, proposal writers and communication specialists.

Catholic Relief Services
CRS jobs page | CRS job notices in Devex

• Headquarters: Baltimore, Md., USA
• Operations: 100 countries in Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East
• Sector(s): Public policy, agriculture, education, emergency response, health, HIV/AIDS, microfinance, peace building, food security
• Opportunities: Staff positions, internship, fellowship
• Web site: http://www.crs.org/

Basic requirements for entry-level international positions at CRS include a bachelor’s degree - though a master’s is preferred - in international studies, regional studies, public health, agriculture, management, or a related field. Strong language skills in English, French, Spanish or Portuguese, as well as a minimum of two years’ work experience in a developing country are also recommended. CRS also offers a fellowship program in international relief and development and currently seeks water and sanitation, agriculture and livelihood, and health and nutrition specialists. Full listings can be found on the organization’s Web site, along with application instructions.

CHF International
CHF jobs page | CHF job notices in Devex

• Headquarters: Silver Spring, Md., USA
• Operations: More than 30 countries in Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East
• Sector(s): Economic development, emergency response and transition, global health, governance and civil society, housing and infrastructure, urban development
• Opportunities: Staff positions, volunteer posts
• Web site: http://www.chfinternational.org/

CHF International has opportunities at its Silver Spring headquarters within its business development, global operations and human resource departments. Open field positions include chief of party, project manager and director of finance. Some of the benefits its field staff members receive are health, emergency medical evacuation and business travel insurance.

Counterpart International
Counterpart jobs page | Counterpart job notices in Devex

• Headquarters: Arlington, Va., USA
• Operations: More than 25 countries in Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East
• Sector(s): Humanitarian aid and relief assistance, health care, democracy and governance, natural resource management, food security
• Opportunities: Staff positions, internship, consultancy
• Web site: http://www.counterpart.org/

Crown Agents
Crown Agents jobs page | Crown Agents job notices in Devex

• Headquarters: Surrey, United Kingdom
• Operations: More than 110 countries in Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, with 36 country offices
• Sector(s): Banking, investment management, public financial management, humanitarian and crisis response, health, engineering, procurement and logistics, information technology solutions, training, international recruitment, corporate and commercial law
• Opportunities: Staff positions, internship, consultancy
• Web site: http://www.crownagents.com/

Crown Agents has numerous full-time openings in areas such as logistics and project management. Its U.K. headquarters also has internships available for individuals with a proven interest in international development. For graduates in public finance management, procurement and information technology, there are consultancy positions. Consultants can register with the organization to undertake international project assignments.

International Crisis Group
Crisis Group jobs page | Crisis Group job notices in Devex

• Headquarters: Brussels, Belgium
• Operations: More than 60 countries in Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, with 12 field offices and five advocacy offices
• Sector(s): Research and advocacy, conflict prevention and resolution
• Opportunities: Staff positions, internship
• Web site: http://www.crisisgroup.org/

The International Crisis Group is an independent, nonpartisan organization that undertakes conflict analysis, prevention and resolution through “field-based analysis, sharp-edged policy prescription and high-level advocacy.” Key positions in the organization include program directors, researchers and analysts. For recent undergraduate and graduate students, the Crisis Group offers internships at its Beijing, Brussels, London, New York and Washington, D.C., offices.

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
IFRC jobs page | IFRC job notices in Devex

• Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland
• Operations: More than 150 countries in Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East
• Sector(s): Disaster management, health, capacity building
• Opportunities: Staff positions, volunteer posts
• Web site: http://www.ifrc.org/

IFRC seeks individuals with a proven interest and experience in its core focus areas, as well as administration, finance, human resources, legal affairs and information technology. Prospective employees should possess the ability to work in a multicultural team, have a high level of technical knowledge, a university degree in a relevant field, and excellent communication skills, with proficiency in at least Arabic, English, French, or Spanish. Applicants should also have prior work experience at either national or international level, or both. For junior professionals, two to three years’ experience is required. Mid-level professionals need four to eight years’ experience, while management professionals should have more than 10 years’ experience.

International Medical Corps
IMC jobs page | IMC job notices in Devex

• Headquarters: Santa Monica, Calif., USA
• Operations: More than 20 countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East
• Sector(s): Emergency response, health capacity building, women’s and children’s health and well-being, mental health, clean water, sanitation and hygiene
• Opportunities: Staff positions, volunteer posts
• Web site: http://www.imcworldwide.org/

There are numerous job and volunteer opportunities with the organization’s Santa Monica, Calif., headquarters, Washington, D.C., office, and in the field. IMC seeks program coordinators, engineers, medical practitioners and operations specialists.

International Relief and Development
IRD jobs page | IRD job notices in Devex

• Headquarters: Arlington, Va., USA
• Operations: More than 30 countries in Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East
• Sector(s): Democracy, governance and community development, economic growth, emergency response, food and agriculture, health and hygiene, infrastructure
• Opportunities: Staff positions
• Web site: http://www.ird.org/

IRD is currently recruiting for numerous positions in Afghanistan and Iraq. Some of the key function areas include management, training, communications and program assessment.

International Rescue Committee
IRC jobs page | IRC job notices in Devex

• Headquarters: New York, N.Y., USA
• Operations: 42 countries in Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, with 24 regional offices
• Sector(s): Emergency response, gender-based violence, health, post-conflict development, children, resettlement, immigration assistance, anti-trafficking, advocacy
• Opportunities: Staff positions, internship, fellowship, volunteer posts
• Web site: http://www.theirc.org/

IRC offers numerous opportunities for entry-level professionals through its volunteer, internship and fellowship programs. Some focus areas with openings include community development, economic recovery and development, and logistics.

International Organization for Migration
IOM jobs page | IOM job notices in Devex

• Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland
• Operations: 127 countries in Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East
• Sector(s): Migration, health, emergency and post-emergency assistance, climate change and environment
• Opportunities: Staff positions, internship, volunteer posts
• Web site: http://www.iom.int/

Interested applicants should be at least 21 years old with a strong command of any or all of these languages: English, French and Spanish. Additional requirements include a secondary school diploma or equivalent technical expertise for support service positions, and at least three years’ experience for professional positions. The IOM internship program targets students and graduates, while the associate expert program is available for young professionals. Volunteers can apply to IOM through the United Nations Volunteers program.

Islamic Relief International
Islamic Relief jobs page | Islamic Relief job notices in Devex

• Headquarters: Birmingham, United Kingdom
• Operations: 25 countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East
• Sector(s): Sustainable livelihoods, education, health and nutrition, orphans and child welfare, water and sanitation, emergency relief and disaster preparedness
• Opportunities: Staff positions
• Web site: http://www.islamic-relief.com/

Medair
Medair jobs page | Medair job notices in Devex

• Headquarters: Lausanne, Switzerland
• Operations: Afghanistan, D.R. Congo, Madagascar, Somalia, Sudan, Uganda
• Sector(s): Emergency relief, rehabilitation, water and sanitation, health services, shelter and infrastructure
• Opportunities: Staff positions, volunteer posts
• Web site: http://www.medair.org/

Medair seeks experienced professionals in its core areas, as well as management, finance, human resources, logistics, ICT, marketing and communications, and administration. It offers both field and office opportunities, and employment for “new relief workers” with less than 18 months’ experience.

Mercy Corps
Mercy Corps jobs page | Mercy Corps job notices in Devex

• Headquarters: Portland, Ore., USA
• Operations: More than 35 countries in Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East
• Sector(s): Agriculture, children, citizen involvement, civil society, conflict and war, disability, displacement, economic development, education, emergencies, environment, financial services, food and nutrition, global engagement, governance, health, HIV/AIDS, hunger, livelihoods, marginalized groups, microfinance, migrants, peaceful change, rural development, social innovations, sports, technology and Internet, urban, water/sanitation, women’s empowerment, youth
• Opportunities: Staff positions, internship, consultancy
• Web site: http://www.mercycorps.org/

Mercy Corps is currently recruiting programming, technology, communications, human resources and finance experts. Additionally, it offers internships and consultancy positions. Applications can be submitted through the organization’s central job portal.

Oxfam International
Oxfam jobs page | Oxfam job notices in Devex

• Headquarters: Oxford, United Kingdom
• Operations: More than 100 countries in Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East
• Sector(s): Active citizenship, agriculture, aid effectiveness, climate change, education, emergency response, gender justice, health, HIV/AIDS, indigenous and minority rights, natural resources, peace and security, private sector, trade, youth outreach
• Opportunities: Staff positions, internship, volunteer posts, consultancy
• Web site: http://www.oxfam.org/

Oxfam has many job and internship opportunities listed on its country office Web sites. Oxfam Great Britain offers an extensive volunteer recruitment system. Applications comprising a resume and cover letter for positions with Oxfam America can be sent to jobs@oxfamamerica.org.

Relief International
RI jobs page | RI job notices in Devex

• Headquarters: Los Angeles, Calif., USA
• Operations: 16 countries in Africa, Asia and the Middle East
• Sector(s): Emergency response, health and nutrition, education and global connectivity, livelihoods and food security, shelter and infrastructure, civil society, protection and capacity building
• Opportunities: Staff positions, internships, volunteer posts
• Web site: http://www.ri.org/

Relief International’s dynamic internship and volunteer programs span program research and development, operational support, fundraising, public relations, information technology and Web design. Some domestic internships might be paid and require at least 15 hours a week, with a three-month minimum commitment. Applications for RI’s rapid emergency deployment teams can be sent to joinREDteams@ri.org.

Save the Children
Save the Children jobs page | Save the Children job notices in Devex

• Headquarters: Westport, Conn., USA
• Operations: More than 50 countries in Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe and the Middle East
• Sector(s): Economic opportunities, education, emergencies, protection, health, hunger and malnutrition
• Opportunities: Staff positions, internships, volunteer posts
• Web site: http://www.savethechildren.org/

United Methodist Committee on Relief
UMCOR jobs page | UMCOR job notices in Devex

• Headquarters: New York, N.Y., USA
• Operations: More than 80 countries in Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe and the Middle East, with 11 field offices
• Sector(s): Emergency response, health, hunger, immigration and refugees
• Opportunities: Staff positions, consultancy, volunteer posts
• Web site: new.gbgm-umc.org/umcor

UMCOR regularly recruits management, administrative, financial, programming experts for full-time and consultancy positions in the U.S. and throughout its field offices. In partnership with the United Methodist Volunteers in Mission, UMCOR deploys volunteers to initiate immediate response in crisis. Individuals interested in volunteering can apply through UMVIM and respective field office Web sites.

World Relief
World Relief jobs page | World Relief job notices in Devex

• Headquarters: Baltimore, Md., USA
• Operations: 15 countries in Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe and the Middle East, and 23 offices in the U.S.
• Sector(s): Disaster response, child development, maternal and child health, HIV/AIDS, agricultural development, immigrant services, microfinance
• Opportunities: Staff positions, consultancy, volunteer posts
• Web site: http://www.worldrelief.org/

World Relief provides internships and volunteer opportunities that require a two-month to two-year commitment. It is currently hiring for its Atlanta, Chicago, and Baltimore offices.

World Vision International
World Vision jobs page | World Vision job notices in Devex

• Headquarters: Federal Way, Wash., USA
• Operations: About 100 countries in Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe and the Middle East
• Sector(s): Disaster response, education and youth development, advocacy
• Opportunities: Staff positions, internship
• Web site: http://www.worldvision.org/

More than 97 percent of World Vision’s 30,000 staff members work in their home countries or regions. There are employment opportunities at its Federal Way headquarters and other U.S. offices in the areas of marketing, fundraising, development and disaster response. Full-time and part-time employees are eligible for medical, dental and vision coverage. There is also an internship program for college students seeking an opportunity to apply knowledge and skills from academic study.

Read more of our humanitarian relief career stories:

• Humanitarian Relief for Career Starters     
• Humanitarian Relief Jobs: What You Need To Know
•  Humanitarian Relief: The ‘Ideal’ Job Candidate
• Humanitarian Relief Salaries: What You Need To Know
• Women in Humanitarian Relief: Challenges and Myths
• Humanitarian Relief Jobs: Resume and Cover Letter Tips
• 30-Second Checklist: Preparing for the Field

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