If you find staying on top of your LinkedIn feed a bit overwhelming, especially in recent weeks, you’re certainly not alone. The international development community has mobilized fast, creating and sharing a steady flow of resources to support those now looking for work.
“I imagine it could be difficult for people to navigate the many, many different resources that are popping up,” said career coach Colin Steele, one of the many experts we asked for advice on the best resources available for job seekers affected by the aid freeze.
In this edition of Career Hub, I’m sharing a few pointers on how to approach your LinkedIn feed so you feel empowered rather than overwhelmed. Plus, some of the best new job opportunities on Devex from leading organizations such as the World Resources Institute, Adam Smith International, and many others.
Top full-time staff jobs this week
1. Chief economist
World Resources Institute
Worldwide
2. Senior Director, Business Services for Europe and the Middle East (EME)
Habitat for Humanity International
Bratislava, Slovakia
3. Human Resources Manager
Center for Advanced Defense Studies
Washington, D.C., United States
4. Senior Counsel - Legal, Ethics and Compliance
Adam Smith International
London, United Kingdom
5. Finance & Administration Manager
Kilimo Trust
Kampala, Uganda
6. Manager digital fundraising
CARE USA
Remote; U.S.
Devex Talent Solutions, our very own boutique recruitment agency, is assisting Feed the Children in its search for a Regional Director for Africa and a Senior Director of Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL). Both are remote roles. The former is open to candidates based anywhere in Africa. The latter is open to candidates based in Africa or Washington, D.C. Those interested in either role should apply by May 7.
+ DTS is also seeking candidates for a Senior Financial Sector Specialist with the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (closing March 26), among many others. See more roles DTS is helping to fill.
Funding freeze fallout: Navigating LinkedIn wisely
“Our sector has always had a familial feel, and when challenges present themselves … individuals and organizations find a way to step up.”
— Joanne Sonenshine, funding adviser to corporate sustainability leadersSince the aid freeze, LinkedIn has become a hub offering free coaching calls, job postings, virtual happy hours, and advice. However, this abundance of resources can be overwhelming and hard to sift through, so we talked to some experts on how to get the most out of your time on the platform.
Knowing which expert advice is trusted and valuable is part of this, and there are experts on LinkedIn who are highly recommended by sector insiders we’ve spoken to. These include Wayan Vota, the co-founder of Kurante Consulting who also runs the Career Pivot newsletter, and social impact coach and consultant Kelsi Kriitmaa, who hosts free monthly career reset events.
Existing networks are another resource worth tapping into for connections, job recommendations, and company insights. Jeremy Schifeling, career development speaker and author, recommended using LinkedIn's Alumni Tool to discover university alumni working at an organization you would also like to work for.
“These are the people who could tell you about the job and potentially even refer you,” he said.
Read: For those laid off from USAID, new job resources are plentiful (Career)
Explore more: 3 tips for connecting with development professionals on LinkedIn (Career)
+ Sign up for a Devex Career Account membership today to unlock all our exclusive career resources and get full access to the world’s largest global development job board.
Top consulting and short-term jobs
1. Senior Program Officer
Canadian federal Crown corporation
Canada
2. Senior Manager, Strategic Initiatives
U.N. agency
Switzerland
3. Consultancy for AIM Qualitative Research & Learning Partner
Nonprofit organization
Liberia
4. HR, Policy & Organisational Development Specialist
International development contractor
Papua New Guinea
5. Clean Energy Economics Consultant
Not-for-profit organization
Cambodia
6. Youth Engagement Consultant
U.N. agency
Kazakhstan
+ For more opportunities, check out the weekly Devex Jobs Alert newsletter on LinkedIn and the Devex job board.
The Trump effect on climate workers
The U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Agreement and deep cuts to USAID have many working in the climate space wary of what this means for their continued efforts to protect the environment. We spoke to climate workers to get their perspectives on the challenges they are facing.
Staff cuts. USAID funding cuts have already led to over 130 contracts in this field being canceled, and more jobs throughout the sector will likely be affected. Mercy Corps, which focuses some of its work on the environment, has already announced plans to make staff cuts.
Worker burnout. There’s been growing pushback against efforts to tackle global warming over the past few years, and that can take a toll on those working in the field. Mariam Kemple Hardy, global campaign director of Oil Change International, a research and advocacy organization, warned of burnout among staff but highlighted the need to persevere given the scale of the problem. “The stakes are higher every single day, but I think what doesn't change is the belief in our collective power to be able to meet the moment,” she said.
Progress regression. “It is a worrying time because some countries are being ambivalent about how to deal with the climate problem when what you need is strong political will and action — driven from all countries and all sectors — to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement,” said Sandeep Sengupta, global policy lead on climate change at International Union for Conservation of Nature.
Read: How climate change workers feel under Trump 2.0 (Career)
Latest updates: Tracking Trump’s cuts to international development
Around the watercooler
News and views from around global development worth knowing about.
• UNHCR braces for big cuts. The head of the UN Refugee Agency warned staff Thursday that he is preparing to implement a “significant reduction in the size of our workforce,” noting that there is “important work that we simply cannot afford to continue.”
• What a reshaped USAID may look like. A memo reportedly written by Trump aides suggests a new U.S. Agency for International Humanitarian Assistance with a significantly reduced focus.
• Inside the U.K. aid cuts. With U.K. aid expecting another deep cut, Devex looks at where the dwindling money is likely to go.
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.
