For success in a global development role, many experts say soft skills are often a deciding factor. But determining the most important abilities is not always easy, and figuring out how to exhibit these during the recruitment process is even harder.
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In this edition of Devex Career Hub, I’ll identify some of the top personal attributes that recruiters look for in candidates and how to best demonstrate these to potential employers. Plus, you can explore job opportunities at the World Health Organization, IMC Worldwide, and many more.
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Top jobs this week
Chief of Party
ICF
United States
Unit Head, Data Coordination and Governance
WHO
Switzerland
Global Finance L&D Instructional Designer
World Vision
Remote
Community Engagement Officer
IMC Worldwide
Lebanon
Experts reveal the top soft skills in demand
Demonstrating soft skills — those all-important personal attributes that go beyond technical abilities — is key to landing development roles. How do I know? Because recruiters frequently mention this to Devex. Here are a few skills that some of the top organizations are on the lookout for:
“[We are looking] for that agility and flexibility — especially if one wants to embrace an international career, since we have a rotation policy at UNICEF whereby international staff are expected to move around.” — Anne Favreau, chief of the human resources partner team at UNICEF.
“We know that the people that don't succeed primarily fail because of their interpersonal skills rather than their technical skills. We want people with good networking skills, relationship skills, [and] being open to new experiences.” — Peder Apall-Olsen, head of the recruitment and development unit at NORCAP.
“I think the two most important ones are leadership [and] management capability and communication skills. ... We're looking at leaders that are able to manage multicultural teams and unify a project team to have a set of objectives and goals.” — Maria Chaney, staffing specialist at Tetra Tech.
Watch: Insights from a PATH recruiter on careers in global health
More recruiter insights from: UNICEF | NORCAP | Tetra Tech
Tip sheet: How to demonstrate your soft skills
“Be mindful of what sets you apart from other candidates and make marketing your soft skills part of the entire interview process.”
— Siobhan Brooks, talent acquisition manager, Haley & AldrichThe ability to be empathic, diplomatic, and flexible goes a long way in the global development sector. But soft skills can be hard to demonstrate during the recruitment process, as so much emphasis is placed on the résumé. Here are some tips on navigating the do’s and don’ts of talking up your personal attributes:
• Know where to highlight soft skills. On your résumé, consider listing your previous experience with one bullet point per position showcasing how you applied your soft skills — for example, a time when you negotiated a difficult contract in an environment that is culturally different from your own.
• Be authentic. Clichéd language for describing your soft skills may be easier to come up with, but it usually doesn't tell recruiters much about your true strengths. Some commonly used buzzwords and phrases are fine — as long as you back them up with specifics.
• Tell a story. Recruiters like to hear about times when you’ve faced issues that school or job training might not have prepared you for. You should plan for these kinds of questions during an interview, and your responses can demonstrate that you manage stress well.
Read: How to talk about your soft skills
Members-only jobs this week
Climate Change Specialist or Economist
International financial institution
United States
Biodiversity Technical Director
Multinational consulting group
Indonesia
E-Learning Content Expert
Regional development bank
Remote
Liaison Officer
International court
Rwanda
What we’re reading
In Greece, a high-profile trial of 24 aid workers opened and then promptly adjourned. Advocates say the case is emblematic of growing restrictions on humanitarian work. [Devex]
Some organizations are pushing staffers to get inoculated against the coronavirus, prompting many to ask: Can employers force workers to be vaccinated for COVID-19? [Thomson Reuters Foundation]
Amid aid cuts in the United Kingdom, NGOs and their clients are having a tough time. Here’s how learning the art of advocacy and campaigning can help in weathering the storm. [Bond]
Taliban rules prohibiting most women from operating as aid workers are worsening the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan. [Human Rights Watch]
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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.
