A business development advisor in Thailand

International development is as much a business as it is a labor of love, and chances are you won’t choose your next assignment based on the money. That said, compensation is an important part of human resources management, and comprehensive data on salaries and benefits are hard to come by. That’s why Devex is shedding light on the salaries and work of those holding jobs that international development organizations commonly hire for. It’s part of our mission to help aid professionals “do good” and make informed decisions about their careers. Today’s spotlight is on an internationally hired business development advisor working for an nongovernmental organization in Thailand. - Position title: Business development advisor - Seniority: Mid level - Position type: Full time - Year: 2013 - Salary: Roughly $2,500 monthly - Benefits: Housing, family health coverage - Sample tasks: Develop existing business and explore new opportunities, develop and implement short and long-term business development plans, undertake market research and analyze industry trends - Key qualifications: Ability to coordinate with donors and program managers, analytical and evaluation skills, previous NGO experience. Thailand foreign aid job market As a middle-income country with strong growth, Thailand is determined to make strides in its development. The ultimate goal is to make the transition to becoming a “developed, first-world nation, capable of sustaining long-term quality growth and lasting prosperity,” according to the United Nations. Aid poured into Thailand in 2011 to assist the then flood-ravaged country. The United States donated a $10 million flood aid package and the World Bank offered a $1 billion loan for the creation of flood-prevention projects. Many other offers were received from funding agencies such as the Asian Development Bank and the Japan International Cooperation Agency. Although Bangkok serves as a regional hub for the United Nations, many donors don’t have permanent programs in Thailand, given the country’s middle-income status. However, while large-scale financial contributions continue to be reduced, donor agencies assist through targeted areas of action and cooperation. Improving the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises, assistance in governance and related social areas — including partnerships to strengthen democracy — and cooperation for sustainable development and environmental protection are just a few examples of such activities. Check out vacancies in Thailand and for business development positions. Compensation isn’t everything The details provided in this article were derived from a survey of select development workers stationed in various parts of the globe. Due to the sensitivity of the information, we are keeping the respondents’ identities and organizations confidential. Compensation varies greatly from one job, country or organization to another. Even for the same position, differences in remuneration occur based on educational background, experience and an applicant’s most recent salary, an organization’s need and the sector it operates in, as well as whether it is hiring locally or internationally. Also, some organizations offer more generous benefit packages than others, or they offer perks such as regular travel, training or other career development services that should not be discounted. For senior-level international hires, in particular, benefits such as housing and education allowances often amount to tens of thousands of dollars per year. At the end of the day, aid workers tell us that the chance to help alleviate suffering and lift people out of poverty are well worth any pay cut they may have encountered switching from the private sector. Read more Devex Salary Spotlights!