Foreign language skills in international development: What’s in demand

Foreign language skills can give you an edge as you’re applying for international development jobs or consulting gigs, and they may even affect your pay. But, which languages are in high demand – apart from English, which most aid groups require applicants to speak fluently? Is it worth learning one of the major languages like French and Spanish, which are suitable for many countries but won’t make you “stand out” as much as a local? Or is it more beneficial to become proficient in a lesser-known language? Being proficient in certain languages can help candidates get hired, international development recruiters and other experts interviewed for this article agree. Which languages are most attractive to an organization depends largely on where it is headquartered and where it operates – but it also depends on the position within an organization you’re seeking to fill. “We do look for language skills, particularly for our overseas positions,” said Valarie Barksdale, a recruitment specialist for Catholic Relief Services in Baltimore, Md., who recruits for both domestic and overseas positions. “All program manager positions require professional proficiency in French, Spanish or Portuguese, and we’re now also looking for Arabic, though it’s not a requirement. We’re always looking for French speakers for francophone Africa.” For the International Committee of the Red Cross in Geneva, Switzerland, language skills are highly valued in job candidates, said Simone Aeschlimann, an ICRC human resources specialist. “Except for specialists such as medical surgeons or water and sanitation engineers, who may be considered for a position even if they master only one key language, knowledge of both French and English is mandatory to obtain expatriate contracts,” Aeschlimann said. The Red Cross is also looking for individuals who speak Arabic, Russian, Spanish, Persian, Urdu, Farsi and Pashto, she added. Further, Aeschlimann noted: “It is also important that we have a certain number of people who speak very ‘special’ languages such as Burmese, Bahsa, Tamil, Swahili or even some tribal languages so as to access populations in very remote areas.” Even if a foreign language isn’t required, it may help you earn more money. For instance, although the ICRC works with interpreters (local and international), sometimes delegates can get additional salary benefits if they master a language valuable to the ICRC. If you want to work for a donor agency or one of the multilateral development banks, certain languages may be required. For example, the United Nations typically requires candidates to be fluent in either English or French and to be proficient in another official U.N. language: Arabic, French, Spanish, English, Russian or Chinese. The Inter-American Development Bank’s official languages are English, French, Spanish and Portuguese, and most positions require proficiency in English plus at least one of the bank’s other official languages. Certain languages are likely to become more useful in the future. For example, as China, Brazil and India emerge as donor heavyweights, languages spoken in these countries will become more valuable. “I am convinced that Chinese will become more and more important,” said Aeschlimann. “Portuguese might become more important as well, and people could learn it in Europe before taking on missions in Brazil. Indian languages will certainly play a more important role in the future, but probably more in the Asia-Pacific region.” Arabic is also likely to remain an important language in international development. “I feel Arabic is useful now and will be increasingly valuable for international development careerists in the future,” a U.S. government representative in Iraq told Devex. Brad Baxter, deputy chief of party for the Kabul City Project in Afghanistan, is focusing his efforts on understanding both Arabic and languages such as Dari and Farsi. “With the ever-growing need for development in conflict and post-conflict environments, for me, understanding the language, speaking the language and reading the language are an essential part of my personal professional development,” Baxter explained. True, if you aren’t already a polyglot and have a tough time learning foreign languages, some – not all – positions may be off-limits for you. But, although knowledge of Arabic, Chinese or Spanish might help you get a job, recruiters emphasize that they also look for skills such as interpersonal abilities, technical expertise and negotiation skills. Said Aeschlimann: “Language skills are obviously not the only criterion that matters in the selection of applicants for work at the ICRC.” Her attitude is shared by many international development recruiters. 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