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As experts have recently told Devex, despondency and helplessness are common feelings experienced by many job seekers in the aid and development sectors.
“A job search is an emotionally demanding search, even in a good market,” says Rachel Korb, a coach and body-mind mentor. “You’re dealing with a lot of rejection and none of it’s personal, but it feels very personal as you’re going through the experience.”
In this edition of Career Hub, I’m sharing tips from experts on how to take care of your mind and body while navigating a challenging development job market. Plus, the best new job opportunities from Devex’s board, from leading organizations such as the U.N. Foundation, CARE, and many others.
+ Join us on Sept. 30: Devex is hosting a digital event focused on how to strengthen job seekers’ CVs and applications during career transitions. Save your spot now. To gain access to this and all digital events, advice guides, and job board, sign up for a Devex Career Account with a free 15-day trial.
Top full-time staff jobs this week
1. Deputy Director, Agreements and Accountability Partnership
U.N. Foundation
United States
2. Country Director
CARE
Rwanda
3. Head, International Financing Facility for Immunisation
Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance
Switzerland
4. Provincial MERL Coordinator (Aceh)
DT Global
Indonesia
5. Digital Health Systems & Governance Senior Analyst
UNOPS
Bangladesh
6. Principal Advisor, Surveillance and Digital Architecture and Governance
Resolve to Save Lives
United States (remote)
Devex Talent Solutions, our boutique recruitment agency, is assisting the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank in its search for a senior counsel for public sector operations to join its office in Beijing, China. This opportunity is open until Sept. 30.
+ See more roles DTS is helping to fill.
Staying healthy while hunting
“Spend time determining what your priorities are, thinking about what you can compromise on. … What is going to be okay for your mental health and well-being?”
— Mona Chergui, counselor and coach
Thinking about consulting in global development? It’s more difficult than ever, but experts shared practical advice on how to gain an edge. Here are three key tips to help you navigate the landscape and position yourself for success.
Stick to a routine. Structure can make job hunting seem less daunting. But consider limiting the amount of time per day dedicated to your search. “Dedicate a specific time for applications and then allow yourself space for rest, movement, or connecting with others,” advises Lucia Berdondini, associate professor in psychology at the University of East London.
Clarify what you want. There can be a tendency in a job hunt to apply for anything that remotely fits your skill set in what coach and body-mind mentor Rachel Korb refers to as the “scarcity mindset.” But operating this way can lead to fewer application responses, which feeds into negative thoughts and potential loss of self-confidence.
Listen to your body. When an opportunity comes in, if finances allow, experts say it’s important to then consider if it’s the right fit rather than automatically accepting — even though that may be tempting in this market. Korb suggests doing a body scan to see how the idea of the new role and workplace sits.
Read: How to look after yourself in your development job hunt (Career)
How to handle rejection
During a recent Devex digital event, experts offered several helpful tips on how to keep your job search going in a challenging recruitment landscape, including how to turn a rejection into valuable insights.
“It’s heartbreaking when we do get a no, and it’s really hard not to take it personally. But we really need to remember that there is so much going on behind the scenes that we do not have access to,” said social impact career coach Kelsi Kriitmaa.
Instead of seeing a “no” as proof you’re not good enough, try to learn from it. Each outcome can inform how you refine your CV, tailor your cover letter, or strengthen your interview story.
“I really encourage my clients to look at every single no as a data point. I always encourage people to ask for more information. Message the hiring manager and ask if they can give you feedback,” she added.
Watch the event: How to stay resilient in a challenging development jobs market (Career)
+ Don’t miss out on the full value of your Devex Career Account, including exclusive events, expert career insights, and tools from top recruiters. These are key benefits designed to help you advance your career in global development. To make sure you’re receiving the updates that matter most, take a moment to update your email preferences now.
Top consulting and short-term jobs
1. GEDSI Capacity Building Specialist
Cowater International
Zambia | Mozambique | Democratic Republic of Congo
https://www.devex.com/jobs/gedsi-capacity-building-specialist-1377790
2. Individual Consultant: Implementation and Delivery Advisor
AGRA
Nigeria
3. Individual Consultant: Financial Specialist
World Bank
Mozambique
4. Consultancy: Water and Sanitation Engineer
African Development Bank
Togo
5. Environmental and Social Specialist
Central American Bank for Economic Integration
Belize
6. Project Officer
International Centre for Migration Policy Development
Benin (remote)
+ For more opportunities, check out the weekly Devex Jobs Alert newsletter on LinkedIn and the Devex job board.
Data download: Who is hiring in New York?
As we continue assessing the state of development job opportunities across the globe, our latest job board data analysis looks into opportunities in New York City. As world leaders gather in New York for the 80th U.N. General Assembly and Climate Week, here’s a look at the three global development organizations that have recruited the most over the past 12 months, and what roles are currently available.
1. United Nations Children’s Fund
Year founded: 1946
NYC jobs posted this year: 71
UNICEF is the U.N.’s leading agency dedicated to protecting the rights of children and adolescents worldwide. UNICEF is currently seeking a consultant to provide knowledge management and capacity building for child-sensitive disaster risk reduction.
View all current UNICEF job postings in New York on Devex.
View all current UNICEF job postings on Devex.
2. The Rockefeller Foundation
Year founded: 1913
NYC jobs posted this year: 40
The Rockefeller Foundation is currently seeking a sustainability strategy manager who will lead the global net-zero project management and provide market solutions, strategic planning processes, and stakeholder management.
View all current Rockefeller Foundation job postings on Devex.
3. U.N. Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs
Year founded: 2019
NYC jobs posted this year: 33
UNDPPA works to prevent and resolve conflicts and strengthen peacebuilding efforts worldwide. It is currently seeking an international humanitarian law expert who will investigate and report on sanctions compliance in Yemen.
View all current UNDPPA job postings on Devex.
Check out the rest of the list: The top global development organizations hiring in New York City (Career)
Download a copy: Your guide to global development’s top local employers (Career)
+ Join Devex from Sept. 22 to 24 in New York City during the U.N. General Assembly and Climate Week! We’re gathering global development leaders for crucial talks, new ideas, and bold solutions. Expect live interviews, workshops, and networking. Sign up now.
Around the watercooler
News and views from around global development worth knowing about.
• An ‘America First’ vision for the World Bank. A report by the U.S. Treasury to Congress outlines how the Trump administration is trying to influence international financial institutions while countering China.
• Can global health finally be fixed? Health experts have repeatedly pointed to the same structural flaws in global health. But can the sector build a system that is less fragmented, less donor-driven, and more resilient to political shifts?
• UN’s funding problems began before Trump. The latest financial data from the U.N. System Chief Executives Board for Coordination shows that the U.N. suffered its steepest real-term revenue loss in more than a decade before recent aid cuts from major donors. [Devex Pro]
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.
