Budget cuts and hiring freezes have shrunk the traditional entry points for aspiring global development professionals. But according to the experts Devex has spoken to recently, that doesn’t mean there are no options for young professionals looking to break into the sector.
In this edition of Career Hub, I’m sharing expert insights on how the next generation of development professionals can still carve out a path. Plus, the best new job opportunities from Devex’s board, from leading organizations such as Tetra Tech, The Pacific Community, and many others.
+ Join us on Wednesday, Sept. 3: Devex is hosting a digital AMA event to answer all of your most pressing questions about consulting in today’s evolving development landscape. To gain access to this and all digital events, advice guides, and job board, sign up for a Career Account with a free 15-day trial.
Top full-time staff jobs this week
1. Team Leader
Tetra Tech
Niue
2. Senior Director, Orange Movement (Asia Pacific Based)
Impact Investment Exchange Asia
Singapore
3. International Partnerships and Business Development Officer
The Pacific Community
New Caledonia
4. Investment Director — Regional Lead
Shell Foundation
Kenya
5. Chief Executive Officer
Plant With Purpose
United States (remote)
6. Senior Economist
Islamic Development Bank
Saudi Arabia
Devex Talent Solutions, our boutique recruitment agency, is supporting CARE in its search for a country director to be based in Kenya. This is a full-time, senior-level position. Applications must be submitted by Sept. 12.
+ See more roles DTS is helping to fill.
New entry points for next-gen development pros
“A lot of people who are interested in development work don’t naturally think about the private sector, but there are a lot of private companies doing great work.”
— Steven Radelet, distinguished professor of the practice of development, Georgetown University’s Global Human Development Program
Private sector. Steven Radelet, distinguished professor of the practice of development at Georgetown University’s Global Human Development Program, suggests that early-career professionals can turn to the private sector to find relevant opportunities in areas such as impact investing, clean energy, water, or health.
Volunteering. Julie Burns, who served as the Peace Corps’ acting chief of staff until recently, is optimistic that the training and on-the-ground exposure volunteers receive will help ensure career opportunities after service, including roles overseas with international partners’ funding projects or with local NGOs.
Local roles. The model of recent graduates doing a year overseas to gain experience in a low- or middle-income country is largely a thing of the past. But there are opportunities for aspiring professionals to address issues in their own communities, such as homelessness and racism, and through these experiences gain insights into human behavior, causes, and systemic gaps.
Read: How will the next generation get into the global development industry? (Career)
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Top consulting and short-term jobs
1. Regional Economist (Firms)
London School of Economics and Political Science
Uganda | Rwanda | Ethiopia
2. Business Development Specialist
McKing Consulting Corporation
South Sudan
3. Individual Consultant: ESMS Country Orientation and Operation
AGRA
Nigeria | Burkina Faso
4. Consultancy for AIM Research and Learning Partner in Ghana for Community Assessment
BRAC
Ghana
5. Research Coordinator
Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health
Chad
6. Senior Programme Associate (Europe)
Global Cooksafe Coalition
Western Europe (remote)
+ For more opportunities, check out the weekly Devex Jobs Alert newsletter on LinkedIn and Devex’s Job board.
How AI is shaping media and communications roles
As we detailed in our recently published career guide on using artificial intelligence, generative AI tools are helping communications professionals craft messaging strategies, frame advocacy narratives, and shape an organization's public voice.
According to a 2024 survey of U.S. nonprofits conducted by the Center for Effective Philanthropy, 31% of respondents reported that marketing and communications work was the primary use of AI. Moving forward, many expect AI to continue reshaping communications work. Research by Google shows that 75% of nonprofits believe generative AI has the potential to transform their marketing efforts.
AI can be especially useful in assisting multilingual communication, an area that is often underresourced, according to Jack Jarrett, an international development HR adviser.
“Professionals are now going to need to spend more time editing, fact-checking, and rewording outputs, rather than perhaps translating from scratch,” Jarrett says. “Rather than replacing translators or communication professionals, I think these tools are reshaping their role, from being language converters to becoming quality controllers.”
Download: A global development pros guide to AI (Career)
Watch: 3 tips for adapting to an AI-integrated development workplace (Career)
Around the watercooler
News and views from around global development worth knowing about.
• WHO could lose 600 staff in Geneva. This is linked to the reduction in the World Health Organization's budget for 2026-2027, but it doesn't include potential reductions at regional offices, meaning some staff fear more job losses.
• China pushes for more UN jobs. The United Nations has proposed cutting 20% of the secretariat’s 33,000-strong workforce. But the U.N.’s second-largest financial contributor, China, has been stepping up demands for more jobs. [Devex Pro]
• Where do World Bank reforms stand? Under pressure from shareholders, the World Bank has undertaken a series of reforms in recent years. But questions have emerged about how changes will progress, especially as the interests of the U.S. have shifted. [Devex Pro]
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Sign up to Devex Career Hub for global development’s top jobs, expert career advice, and practical tips to help you do more good for more people.
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.
