Presented by UC Berkeley Blum Center for Developing Economies
Like so many other development professionals have had to do over the last several months, several thousand former United Nations peacekeepers will soon be trying to figure out their next career move. The good news is that many paths can be taken for those affected by the budget cuts to peacekeeping operations.
In this edition of Career Hub, see what experts advise for peacekeepers looking for their next role. Plus, the best new job opportunities from Devex’s board, from leading organizations such as Tetra Tech, UNOPS, and many others.
+ Ready to navigate the global development job market in 2026? Join us on Dec. 10 for an expert session to learn how the 2025 funding cuts and layoffs are shaping hiring in 2026, which skills and roles are in demand, and how to strategically position yourself for new opportunities in a changing sector. Register now for this event!
Top full-time staff jobs this week
1. Grants Administration Officer
Oak Foundation
Switzerland
2. Senior Finance Coordinator
Tetra Tech
Vietnam
3. TPM Specialist
Socha LLC
Niger
4. HR Senior Officer
UNOPS
Denmark
5. Head of Project Economics
Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank
China
6. Director of Strategic Partnerships
Simprints
Ghana (remote)
Devex Talent Solutions, our boutique recruitment agency, is supporting CARE USA in recruiting a senior director for humanitarian advocacy. Successful candidates can be based in any country where CARE has an established office. Applications are open until Jan. 15, 2026.
+ See more roles DTS is helping to fill.
Pivots for peacekeepers
“If you find yourself in the mix of that change where peacekeeping missions are reduced … you have to ask yourself, ‘How can I pivot?’ I will tell you, there are so many ways that you can pivot.”
— Daniel Mutuku, learning and development consultantWith nearly 17,000 U.N. peacekeepers facing job losses due to budget cuts, Devex asked the experts for advice on their next steps.
Similar sector roles. The title might be unique to the U.N., but several NGOs, governments, and foundations have roles similar to those of peacekeepers, such as emergency response and coordination, said Stephanie Playford, founder of United Career Coalition.
Private sector pivots. Many of the skills that peacekeepers possess, such as risk assessment, operations, people management, and community engagement, may be in high demand by corporations entering emerging markets, according to Guillaume Stollsteiner, founder of Swiss HR consultancy Transition and Performance.
Go local. While many assume that peacekeeping is predominantly military work, much of the role involves community interface and relations, and that experience could set someone up for community-based work, said HR consultant Holly White.
Read: Career paths for UN peacekeepers (Career)
Find jobs: Current development opportunities related to peacekeeping
Download your copy: A development pro’s guide to career pivots and transitions (Career)
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Top consulting and short-term jobs
1. Program Officer — New Vaccine Introduction Support
Gates Foundation
India
2. Public Information — Communication
UNEP
Kenya
3. Project Administrator
Somaliland Development Fund
Somaliland
4. Grants Officer
European Climate Foundation
Spain
5. Medical Devices Consultant
U.S. Pharmacopeia
Southern Africa
6. Social Protection Experts
Corus International
Philippines
+ For more opportunities, check out the weekly Devex Jobs Alert newsletter on LinkedIn and Devex’s Job board.
ICRC staff cuts: What we know
The International Committee of the Red Cross is preparing to cut around 2,900 jobs — about 16% of its 18,000-strong workforce — including 1,000 roles at its Geneva headquarters. Driven by reduced funding from the United States, the United Kingdom, and Germany, the cuts coincide with escalating global conflicts.
ICRC says a third of the total losses will come through voluntary departures and not filling vacant positions, while staff in regional offices and headquarters are most at risk. “There is clearly a will to spare the field as much as possible … where we have our core mandate being implemented,” says Christian Cardon, ICRC’s chief spokesperson.
Moving forward, ICRC’s work will be more focused on conflict front lines and its core mandate of implementing international humanitarian law. It will also aim to increase engagement with nontraditional donors and diversify its donor base to help offset some of the funding shortfall.
Read more: The Red Cross is losing thousands of jobs. What will happen to its work? (Pro)
Around the watercooler
News and views from around global development worth knowing about.
• USAID legal battles rage on. Ten months after USAID fell apart, many of the most consequential cases challenging Trump’s foreign aid agenda are still unfolding. See where the most consequential legal battles stand.
• Latest on race to lead UNHCR. Joanne Liu, a Canadian physician and former international president of Médecins Sans Frontières, has joined a field of at least 12 vying for the U.N. high commissioner for refugees post. But she faces an uphill battle.
• UNFPA’s Match Fund, explained. UNFPA’s Match Fund has been successful in securing commitments from 36 governments to allocate additional domestic resources for reproductive health commodities. Learn how it works and what’s next for the financing model. [Devex Pro]
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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.
