Devex Career Hub: The most active lesser-known development employers

The United Nations, Asian Development Bank, and Danish Refugee Council are some of the biggest hirers within the sector. However, there are also many lesser-known — but highly active — employers making significant contributions. If you’re aiming to break into or advance your career in this field, these organizations present opportunities worth exploring. In this edition of Career Hub, we looked at some of these smaller global development organizations, as well as how to land your first overseas role in development. Plus, featured job postings from the likes of Tetra Tech, USAID, and more. + Join us on Nov. 7: Our next event for Devex Career Account members will feature insights on how to kick-start or transition your career toward international roles with Thomas Hill, country director at the Norwegian Refugee Council, and Caroline Korda, an international coach and development career expert. Not yet a member? You can try it out with a free 15-day trial to access all career advice events and articles, our full job board, and much more. + Take our Career Hub survey! We are constantly looking for ways to improve our products. We seek your feedback so that we can improve Devex Career Hub — after all, it’s for you! Top jobs this week 1. Head of Conflict, Security and Stability Adam Smith International United Kingdom 2. Chief of Party - Gender and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Danish Refugee Council (DRC) Democratic Republic of Congo 3. WASH Finance Manager food WASH Services project Tetra Tech Senegal 4. Information Management Specialist USAID Burundi + See the full list Featured opportunity: Devex Talent Solutions, our very own boutique recruitment agency, is assisting the Islamic Development Bank in their search for a Senior Halal Development Specialist, to be based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Those interested should apply by Oct. 25. + DTS is also seeking candidates for a Beijing-based Counsel, Private Sector Investment and Treasury Operations at the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, an Abidjan-based Division Manager, Editorial and Media Relations at the African Development Bank, and an Investment Associate/Officer — Global Health at Value for Good, among many others. See more roles DTS is helping to fill. In focus: lesser-known but highly active employers to watch out for Here are five smaller development organizations that have been actively involved in the sector — and that aspiring professionals should keep on their radar. The Pacific Community, or SPC, is a development organization centered on sustainable development through research and technology operating in the Pacific region. View all current SPC job postings on Devex. Habitat for Humanity International is a global nonprofit organization providing decent and resilient housing to local and international communities. View all current Habitat for Humanity job postings on Devex. The Asia Foundation is dedicated to improving the quality of life of people across Asia and the Pacific through investing in innovative solutions to today’s economic and social challenges. View all current Asia Foundation job postings on Devex. WorldFish is a leading global research organization focused on the improvement of food security, nutrition, and livelihood through aquatic food systems. View all current WorldFish job postings on Devex. National Democratic Institute is a nongovernmental institution partnering with organizations to strengthen and support democracy worldwide. View all current NDI job postings on Devex. Other organizations to consider exploring include IntraHealth International, Inc., the International City/County Management Association, the American Institutes for Research, EngenderHealth, and Integra Government Services International. Read the full article: Other development employers to watch out for (Career) Members-only jobs this week 1. Human Resource Officer (Fixed-term) Aid and humanitarian agency Ireland 2. Social Policy Specialist (Fixed Term) United Nations agency Senegal 3. National Gender and Social Inclusion Specialist United Nations agency Malawi 4. Project Officer Intergovernmental organization Mozambique + See the full list How to get your first international job in humanitarian aid “The best way to map out your career is to find someone doing the exact job you want, or who has done it in the past, and ask them how to get there. Better yet, ask two.” --— Thomas Hill, country director for Nigeria, Norwegian Refugee Council In preparation for our next career event on Nov. 7, Thomas Hill, country director for Nigeria at the Norwegian Refugee Council, outlined essential considerations for entry- and junior-level professionals seeking international positions in humanitarian aid with an INGO: Find the right opening. If you’re starting off, Hill recommends finding “smaller, passionate, flexible organizations” as they will likely “be a better bet for your first doorway, and you can work your way toward the larger organizations if you really want to,” he said. Hill also recommends understanding how humanitarian field activities are organized. Be in the right place. If you’re selective about job locations based on personal preferences, like proximity to family or the ability to bring a pet, you’re facing tougher competition, Hill says. “Applying in places that most people have never heard of and are usually considered dangerous will double or triple your odds instantly,” he added. Build the right network. Rather than spending time adjusting cover letters and résumés, Hill recommends finding and talking with professionals in the roles you aspire to. “Keep doing this every day for six months,” and it will yield a better return on your investment time, he said, adding that finding a few people who will support and advocate for your job search — your “champions” — is key to opening doors. Read the full article: How to get your first international job in humanitarian aid (Career) Sign up for our event on Nov. 7 with Thomas Hill and Caroline Korda Poole to learn more about landing an international job. + Sign up for the Devex Jobs Alert on LinkedIn: For many more of the top job opportunities in the social impact space from global development’s largest job board, check out the weekly Devex Jobs Alert newsletter on LinkedIn. Around the watercooler News and views from around global development worth knowing about. - Contractors move to unionize. Most staff inside USAID’s Bureau for Global Health are institutional support contractors — and some feel a union is the only way to achieve equity and transparency. - Recycled education. Students in Uganda are recycling plastic waste into learning materials and products that can be sold to supplement school budgets. - A new leader in direct monetary transfers? USAID’s new monetary transfer position papers advocate for this approach to be core to its development toolkit. + To keep up to date with all the must-read global development coverage, be sure to sign up to the daily Devex Newswire. 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.