While there is no universally agreed-upon definition of what is part of the Middle East, this region has become a focal point for global development, housing a range of institutions and initiatives to address its unique social, economic, and political complexities.
As part of our ongoing exploration of global development opportunities, this week we took a closer look at the leading development hubs in the Middle East that are actively hiring, as well as what recruiters are looking for in Myanmar response. Plus, featured job postings from the likes of USAID, Integra Government Services International, and more.
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Top jobs this week
Sr Program Manager
Food Enterprise Solutions
United StatesProject Management Specialist (Democracy, Human Rights & Governance)
USAID
GuineaChief Development Officer
Landesa
United StatesSenior Climate Finance Specialist (Agribusiness)
Asian Development Bank
PhilippinesChief of Party
Improving Economies for Stronger Communities (IESC)
Dominican RepublicProject Performance Evaluation Team Lead - USAID Europe/Eurasia
Integra Government Services International
Eastern Europe (Remote)
+ For more opportunities, check out the weekly Devex Jobs Alert newsletter on LinkedIn as well as Devex’s Job board.
Featured opportunities: For six years, the Obama Foundation has had the privilege of inspiring, empowering, and connecting leaders worldwide. Each one embodies our mission to create positive change within their communities and beyond. Their efforts are paving the way for a more just, inclusive, and sustainable world.
Applications for this year’s Obama Leaders cohorts are open: Qualified applicants can apply through our website from today through Dec. 18. We are aiming to recruit resilient and hopeful leaders who demonstrate a values-based, collaborative approach to leadership and are eager to learn from their peers. We welcome applicants from the public sector, civil society, and the private sector, who demonstrate a commitment to advancing the common good.
Eligibility:
• Leaders must be 24-45 years of age.
• Must reside in any of the following regions: Africa, Asia Pacific, Europe, or the United States.
• Availability to engage in 6-month-long programming from Sept. 2025 to May 2026.
In focus: Top development hubs in the Middle East
Over the past 12 months, 7,321 jobs in the Middle East were advertised on Devex job board. Here is a closer look at the top three leading development hubs in the Middle East that are actively hiring.
1. JORDAN: 1,360 jobs
View all current jobs based in Jordan on Devex
Organization to look out for: Queen Rania Foundation is focused on improving education outcomes by providing programs and supporting policymakers in developing education programs. The foundation is currently looking for a senior officer for early childhood education and development. View all current QRF jobs based in Jordan on Devex
United Nations agency to look out for: UNICEF is actively advertising a public partner project consultant position who will provide technical support to key public donors. View all current UNICEF jobs based in Jordan on Devex
2. EGYPT: 910 jobs
View all current jobs based in Egypt on Devex
Organization to look out for: Coptic Orphans works with vulnerable children in Egypt by providing educational programs, financial assistance, and community support. It is actively promoting a senior child safeguarding specialist. View all current Coptic Orphans jobs based in Egypt on Devex
U.N. agency to look out for: World Health Organization, or WHO, is currently offering a fixed-term technical officer position based in Cairo. View all current WHO jobs based in Egypt on Devex
3. IRAQ: 726 jobs
View all current jobs based in Iraq on Devex
Organization to look out for: The Danish Refugee Council, or DRC, is a leading NGO advocating for a sustainable future for refugees and displaced people and communities. DRC readvertised an opening for a shelter and settlement team leader. View all current DRC jobs based in Iraq on Devex
U.N. agency to look out for: United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq, or UNAMI, is promoting a political affairs officer position based in Baghdad. View all current UNAMI jobs based in Iraq on Devex
See the full list: Top development hubs in the Middle East (Career)
Members-only jobs this week
Internship: Community Empowerment Program
Nongovernmental organization
ThailandSenior Regional Malaria Advisor
United Nations agency
ThailandField Accountant (Philippine Residents Only, Spanish Speaker)
Humanitarian aid organization
PhilippinesSenior Environmental Safeguard Specialist, International
Multidisciplinary development consultancy
IndonesiaSenior Statistics Assistant
United Nations commission
EthiopiaHuman Rights Officer
United Nations office
Switzerland
In focus: Working at the intersection of gender and climate
As climate conditions worsen, women and girls find themselves facing not only loss of livelihoods but also increased risks to their sexual and reproductive health, rights, and safety. We spoke with three seasoned professionals to provide more information about the key considerations for anyone looking to make a meaningful impact at this intersection:
Find your niche. The gender and climate field offers a wide range of roles, from movement coordinators to policy negotiators, scientists, and storytellers, said Natalie Sifuma, founder and community lead of Sisters in Climate, and former head of communications at SHE Changes Climate.
Ground yourself in local realities. The most important thing is understanding gender dynamics within your local context — at a field level, said Grace Muinga, a Nairobi-based gender specialist, consultant and founder of the Gender Learning Network.
Analytical proficiency is key. Qualitative analysis and gender vulnerability assessments are key skills in this field, said Muinga. These are tools that identify the specific risks and inequalities that people face based on their gender.
Read the full article: Working at the intersection of gender and climate (Career)
What recruiters are looking for in Myanmar response
“Some people are facing a crisis. Some people are facing trauma in their family. Understanding mental health is also important … and being flexible, being patient, and being compassionate.”
— Sazaduzzaman Sazad, managing director, BRAC MyanmarIt’s been almost four years since conflict broke out in Myanmar following a military coup that led to the imprisonment of democratically elected government officials and citizens who spoke out. Apart from the ongoing civil war that has displaced millions of people, Myanmar citizens also have to contend with floods and storms that also kill, destroy, and damage.
With this in mind, hiring organizations require specific skills to navigate the fragile context. Devex found out what they are looking for:
Understanding the nuances of a locality is essential in any role, but when it comes to Myanmar and the current conflict, there are intricacies in the law and in banking that impact the general functionality of organizations. At times, people have been unable to withdraw cash from ATMs while new laws introduced by SAC on NGOs make the declaration of funding sources mandatory alongside locations of operation.
Before the conflict, the sector’s work in Myanmar was much more development-centered. But now, amid displacement, violence, and deteriorating health, that focus on aid work has increased, said Andrew Wilson, country director at Helvetas Myanmar. That means that the candidates recruiters are looking for, regardless of whether the role is directly in humanitarian aid, ideally have some experience in a humanitarian setting, said Freeke.
Amid such a tumultuous situation, there are several soft skills experts believe are key right now when working in Myanmar. Patience and resilience are two that Wilson cited whilst Sazad said compassion and understanding are also important. For any more senior positions, Freeke said they must have “a very good empowering and empathetic leadership and working style because these [aid] efforts have been ongoing for so long and they need a lot of resources.”
Read the full article: What recruiters are looking for in Myanmar response (Career)
Around the watercooler
News and views from around global development worth knowing about.
Local organizations to watch. Through nominations, research, and interviews, Devex created a snapshot of organizations that may not be household names — yet — but that should be on your radar.
Does the consultancy model need an overhaul? “There seems to be a lack of understanding and under-valuing of consultants’ time, energy, and creative intellectual property,” says Deborah Walter, who co-runs social change agency Community Media for Development.
World Food Prize president to step down. Terry Branstad will retire after two years leading the foundation, which is also seeking a CEO as it pursues global ambitions beyond Des Moines, Iowa.
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About the author
Katrina J. Lane
Katrina Lane is an Editorial Strategist and Reporter at Devex. She writes on ecologies and social inclusion, and also supports the creation of partnership content at Devex. She holds a degree in Psychology from Warwick University, offering a unique perspective on the cognitive frameworks and social factors that influence responses to global issues.
