With COP 26 continuing to unfold in Scotland, I’m focusing attention this week on environmental career opportunities in the global development sector. After all, whether particular climate goals set out at the conference are reached will partly depend on the efforts of development professionals working to solve environmental crises.
If you are considering a career shift into the environmental space or looking to advance in the sector, keep reading! In this week’s edition of Career Hub, I break down recent hiring trends to help you navigate this sector, and aim to debunk a few common myths that may discourage you from considering climate work. You’ll also get a firsthand account of what it’s like to be a climate expert. Plus, explore job opportunities at the U.S. Agency for International Development, WEConnect International, and more.
Top jobs this week
Global Energy Specialist
Deloitte Consulting Overseas Projects LLC
Worldwide
Program Specialist
USAID
United States
Marketing & Engagement Manager
WEConnect International
Remote
Technical Director
Amref Health Africa
Eastern Africa | West Africa | Southern Africa
Myths about climate work
Despite being a core focus of global development, climate work is surrounded by several misconceptions about the skills involved, the sectors it touches, and more. Speaking with Devex, experts in the field shared some common myths — and how they miss the mark:
• You have to be a hard scientist to work on climate change. Certainly, climate science and research jobs are abundant, but just as many opportunities — if not more — are unrelated to science. Many positions in climate work are actually tied to soft skills, such as communications and policy implementation.
• Climate change affects only one sector. While energy is often at the center of discussions around global warming, climate change impacts other spaces as well. Some people still struggle to associate it with disaster risk reduction, even though research has shown that changes in climate increase the prospects of weather-related natural disasters.
• All climate work aims to “prevent” climate change. While much attention is understandably paid to the reduction of emissions, many professionals are helping to strengthen countries' ability to deal with climate change impacts.
Read: 4 myths about working on climate change in global development
The top organizations hiring climate experts
An analysis of nearly 2,000 postings on Devex's job board since April shows the employment landscape for global development organizations working on climate, the environment, and natural resources. Here are the top agencies looking to fill these openings:
1. Environmental Resources Management. ERM is a leading provider of services related to the environment, health, safety, and sustainability. Among the ERM positions in environmental work that are currently open on Devex’s job board, dozens are remote while roughly half are based in North America, mainly in the U.S.
2. United Nations Development Programme. UNDP is the global development network of the U.N. It has had fewer opportunities for entry-level applicants, with over 80% of its 165 openings seeking midlevel experience or higher.
3. Arcadis. Arcadis is an international company providing consulting, design, engineering, and management services related to infrastructure, water, buildings, and the environment. It has posted over 160 job openings since April, with 65% intended for entry-level applicants.
4. World Bank. The World Bank is an important source of financial and technical assistance for lower-income countries around the world. It is currently seeking a senior environmental specialist based in Liberia and a climate change legal consultant in Ghana, along with several other openings.
5. Food and Agriculture Organization. FAO leads international efforts related to hunger. Current openings at the agency include postings for a compost specialist based in Lebanon and a forest resilience and climate change specialist in Armenia.
Read: Hiring trends for climate and environment roles in global development
Learn more: How to build your expertise in climate change
+ Explore current job postings in environmental and natural resources work.
Members-only jobs this week
Programme Budget Specialist
U.N. agency
Remote
Data Engineer
Corporate sustainability research company
Remote
Water Resources Specialist
Sustainability consultancy
Remote
Accountability and Compliance Officer
Humanitarian aid organization
Hungary
A day in the life: The climate expert
“I am not a climate scientist but can [still] support [and] contribute to the implementation of climate services.”
— Yacine Fall, climate expert, NORCAPBased in Niger, Yacine Fall works with NORCAP to “translate” and distribute critical weather information to rural communities and coordinate climate activities.
Explore #GlobaldevJobs: The climate expert | The environmental officer
What we’re reading
A humanitarian professional reflects on his decades of experience — and explains why people shouldn't view aid workers as wearing halos. [NPR]
News of a planned nominee to lead the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office follows several other high-profile appointments and job moves in the past month. [Devex]
In India, students are preparing for careers beyond coal with courses pivoting to skills for future green jobs. [Thomson Reuters Foundation]
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.
