A partnerships 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 is 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 partnerships advisor working for an NGO in Thailand. - Position title: partnerships and resource mobilization advisor - Seniority: mid-level - Position type: full-time - Year: 2012 - Salary: roughly $2,000 monthly - Benefits: housing, family health coverage, phone, electricity, water, transportation - Sample tasks: develop new fundraising techniques, improve organization’s public image, advise on communications - Key qualifications for the job: experience in fundraising, people skills, previous NGO experience Thailand foreign aid job market As a middle-income country with strong growth, Thailand is determined to “leapfrog” in development. The ultimate goal is transforming into 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, which were just a few of the many offers Thailand 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 small and medium enterprise competitiveness, assistance in governance and related social areas – including partnerships built to strengthen democracy — and cooperation for sustainable development and environmental protection are a few. Check out vacancies in Thailand and for partnership advisors. 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!