The global development job market remains tough, but if you want to continue doing purpose-driven work, your skills will be in demand, particularly with an increasingly diverse set of stakeholders. This is why many are seeking ways to pivot into different areas of the broader social impact space.
“There are going to be spaces both in the traditional ways we think about development today [and] new spaces and entrepreneurial spaces that are going to be emerging quickly tomorrow that need your talents,” Fatema Sumar, executive director of the Harvard Center for International Development, said during a Devex Career event earlier this year.
In this edition of Career Hub, I’m sharing expert tips on how to manage transitions, as featured in our recently published guide to career pivots. Plus, the best new job opportunities from Devex’s board, from leading organizations such as CARE, the Gates Foundation, and many others.
+ Join us on Sept. 30: Devex is hosting a digital event focused on strengthening CVs and job 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 membership and get an exclusive 50% discount on our regular rate, but hurry — this offer ends at the close of the month.
Top full-time staff jobs this week
1. Account Manager (Strategic Communications)
Newton Street
United States (remote)
2. Country Director
CARE
South Sudan
3. Senior Program Officer, Africa, Development Policy & Finance
Gates Foundation
United States
4. Finance & Administration Officer
ABT Global
Australia
5. Programme Management - Senior Officer
UNOPS
Kenya
6. Access and Inclusion Coordinator
Tetra Tech
Thailand
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.
Tips for transitions
“Thinking about all the different things you’ve done over your career is a good place to start. Write them down and do a draft Q&A so that you’re ready to answer questions.”
— Zaid Zaid, head of U.S. public policy, CloudflareUnderstanding how what you’ve done in one area can apply to a new space is not always easy, Zaid says. Speaking from his own job search experience, he says it’s helpful to think about what you might say in a short elevator pitch that gets to the heart of what you have to offer.
Here are a few more expert tips for transitioners, culled from our recently published guide to career pivots.
Think beyond job titles. A common challenge is identifying a role to work toward rather than starting with your own abilities. “Instead of thinking in job titles, think in terms of your skills — skills that you want to be known for, skills that you want to build, and skills that you’re interested in,” international coach Simone Anzböck says.
Take stock of your skills. “I would really encourage professionals to complete a skills audit … to make sure they know what it is they bring to the table because being passionate and motivated for the next steps is going to be crucial in the current market,” says Jack Jarrett, a veteran development HR adviser.
Align networking efforts with goals. “If you expand your network with things you enjoy, you're more likely … to talk to people,” Anzböck says. For example, it’s not worth forcing yourself to attend an event just to check off a box on your networking to-do list. Take the time to find events that excite you by reviewing the agenda.
Download your copy: A development pro’s guide to career pivots and transitions (Career)
Explore more: Portfolio careers in development — what to know and how to get started (Career)
Top consulting and short-term jobs
1. Capacity Strengthening and Development for Subject Matter Experts in Sudan
Pact
Uganda | Kenya | Sudan
2. Team Leader, Albania - Solid Waste Management
CDM Smith
Albania
3. MEL Professionals – Multiple Positions
The Mitchell Group, Inc.
Worldwide
4. Independent consultant
Cowater International
Worldwide (remote)
5. Individual Consultant: Disseminate Climate Vulnerability Mapping and Climate Change Risk Analysis
AGRA
Ghana (remote)
6. Provincial MERL Coordinator (Aceh)
DT Global
Indonesia
+ For more opportunities, check out the weekly Devex Jobs Alert newsletter on LinkedIn and the Devex job board.
Staying resilient on the hunt
During a recent Devex digital event, experts shared several helpful tips on how to navigate a challenging recruitment landscape and keep your job search going. Here are the top takeaways from our discussion:
Rejection isn’t personal. Rejection often has little to do with your ability. Budget freezes, donor shifts, or internal politics are common factors. 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 application materials.
Focus on what you can control. “You can’t control the donor funding cycles at the moment or organizational restructures, [but] you can control your skill development, your network building, and your application strategy. So channel your energy into these areas,” Jarrett said.
Prioritize quality over quantity. It’s tempting to apply widely, but a scattershot approach rarely pays off and typically only leads to more rejections. “Going for those jobs where you really meet the expectations [and] where you really want it,” career coach Kelsi Kritmaa said. This will not only increase your success rate but also free up time for networking and recharging.
Watch the event recording: How to stay resilient in a challenging development jobs market (Career)
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Around the watercooler
News and views from around global development worth knowing about.
• All UNGA, all the time. Much has changed since the last U.N. General Assembly, but UNGA still dominates Devex headlines in September 2025. Catch up on the latest from New York from our team on the ground.
• Landmark investment in eye health. In one of many commitments made at UNGA, Bloomberg Philanthropies announced that it is investing $75 million in a new initiative aimed at improving or restoring the sight of millions of people.
• French aid deep dive. France is one of the world’s most generous donors, contributing nearly half a percent of its gross national income to official development assistance. But contributions have slipped in recent years. Dig into the data. [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.
