The U.S. Agency for International Development is the lead U.S. government body working to “end extreme global poverty and enable resilient, democratic societies to realize their potential.”
If you’re among the many looking for a purpose-driven career with USAID, I’m happy to tell you that Devex has a treasure-trove of insider tips from those with deep knowledge and experience working at the agency.
Devex picked the brain of USAID’s chief of talent, who offers advice on what to do — and what not to do — when applying to the agency, though his guidance is worth considering for opportunities elsewhere too. I’m also sharing insights on key areas of experience that USAID focuses on when assessing candidates. And finally, you’ll get a first-person perspective on what it’s like working with the agency from a grant manager leading a flagship environmental project.
All of this will come in handy for those attending the next week's career event organized by Devex and USAID on Wednesday, Oct. 27, that is geared specifically toward development professionals.
For more exciting job leads, I have opportunities to share from Human Rights Watch, PATH, and many more top agencies.
Top jobs this week
Chief Development Officer
Human Rights Watch
Remote
Commercial Analyst
DAI Global UK Ltd.
United Kingdom
Regional Director, Digital Health
PATH
India
Administrative Management Assistant (Logistics)
USAID
Ethiopia
Tipsheet: Application advice from USAID’s chief of talent
“Writing is important for success in the agency ... and that should be visible in the resume.”
— Bob Leavitt, chief human capital officer, USAIDFor those applying to USAID, the competition is tough. But this shouldn’t discourage passionate people with the right experience from doing so, the agency’s chief of talent stresses. Here, Bob Leavitt shares tips for finding relevant roles and standing out as an applicant:
• Pay close attention to the specific experience requested for a position. Human resources pros look closely at each candidate's resume and the required questionnaire, and those that don’t have the necessary experience will not be considered.
• Don’t forget key documents. When Leavitt first applied to the agency 20 years ago, he failed to upload one key document and, as a result, never heard back about that particular role. “This is a basic mistake that quite a few people make,” he says.
• Keep your resume concise. While candidates don’t need to limit themselves to one page, there is an “art” to keeping a resume succinct, Leavitt says. Don’t overcomplicate it with jargon that prevents the reader from understanding your experience, he cautions.
• Be patient. Landing a role with the agency can sometimes mean staying on a waiting list until a need arises for particular skills, or it may entail looking for border opportunities, such as contracting positions.
Read: Job application tips from USAID's chief of talent
Learn more: Career paths with the agency
+ Explore current job openings at USAID.
What experience can help you land a job with USAID?
Whether you are interested in a career in the foreign service or civil service, here are some key assets that USAID is seeking in candidates:
Leadership. Regardless of the employment category or rank, the agency looks for people who can lead, manage, and collaborate. These skills are fundamental across the board and important for career growth.
+ Watch: How to nurture leadership in development organizations
Knowledge in new and emerging areas. USAID is expanding in several areas, such as global health, climate change, addressing root causes of irregular migration in Central America, and humanitarian assistance.
+ Watch: Recruiter insights on careers in global health
Interpersonal skills. With the hiring process increasingly virtual, the agency has set up activities to assess those all-important soft skills. One example is a group exercise in which candidates come together to discuss a case study that they have already written about individually.
+ Watch: How to learn soft skills
Read: What experience can help you land a job with USAID?
Members-only jobs this week
Senior Fundraising Associate
United Nations agency
France
Director of International Engagement
Environmental think tank
United States
Junior Environmental Consultant - Remediation
Sustainability consultancy
Italy
Emergency Preparedness Officer
Nuclear energy organization
Austria
A day in the life
Amy Kirk, who transitioned from a career in architecture, started out as a grants specialist with Tetra Tech over eight years ago and now supports one of its USAID programs: Clean Cities, Blue Ocean. She shares advice for others looking to make a career switch into development.
Read more: The grant manager
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About the author
Justin Sablich
Justin is a contributing writer and editor who previously led Devex’s careers content strategy. Before joining Devex, Justin served as the managing editor of Springwise, covering sustainable and climate-tech innovation across all business sectors. He also spent over 13 years as an editor and writer for the New York Times, specializing in digital content production and strategy while producing written and multimedia content on a range of topics, including travel, sports, and technology.
