How 'megatrends' will shape the future of global development jobs

The landscape of international development is being transformed by powerful trends and drivers of change. A look at major forces at play can help us discern plausible areas of job growth over the next decade or so. These “megatrends,” as identified in a 2022 study by Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, include adapting to climate change and dwindling resources, continued digitalization and increased use of artificial intelligence, disruptions spurred by geopolitical shifts, and growing demands on decision-makers to consider trust, transparency, and social governance. How might these trends influence future employment in international development? I explore some changes to the development employment market that could unfold over the next decade and beyond. But keep in mind that these are not deterministic or exhaustive, and they may interact and evolve in complex and unpredictable ways. Therefore, current and aspiring development workers should remain informed, adaptable, and innovative in response to the changing needs and opportunities in the fast-evolving field. Keeping up with climate change means more innovators Climate change is exerting increasing pressure on vulnerable communities worldwide. The International Labour Organization predicts that climate adaptation jobs will be created through activities like the relocation of exposed settlements and industry, reinforcement of infrastructure, and transfer of new climate-friendly technology. As a result, adaptation activities will require experts in climate science and modeling, engineering, environmental policy, and community engagement. Additional workers will also likely be needed to support human resettlement and strengthen community resilience to floods, rising ocean levels, wildfires, and extreme weather. More jobs dedicated to developing innovative green products and services can also be expected, along with work on renewable energy and energy storage and further investments in the transportation sector to develop more electric vehicles and decarbonize shipping. Overall, we can expect that most development jobs will have some climate component. Similarly, growing global resource constraints are spurring actions to increase efficiency in the production and consumption of food, water, mineral, and energy resources while curbing negative impacts like biodiversity loss and carbon emissions. The search for solutions will require expertise in sustainable resource management, environmental governance and services, biodiversity conservation, waste reduction and management, and the circular economy. In light of continued migration toward population centers, urban planners, architects, and policymakers responsible for designing and managing sustainable, inclusive cities will also be increasingly needed. A digitally transformed workplace will value tech-savvy problem solvers The integration of technology in all forms of employment is poised to revolutionize development efforts. The increasing use of digital platforms, social media, and mobile applications presents opportunities for innovative solutions in areas like health care delivery, education, and financial inclusion. Big data, blockchain, cloud computing, the Internet of Things, or IoT, and 5G will create new opportunities for development. More experts will be needed to implement programs on digital literacy, e-governance, e-learning, e-commerce, digital security, and digital inclusion. Opportunities will expand for specialists in data analytics, blockchain technology, drone operations, remote sensing, and geospatial analysis. The ability to work remotely will become even more important than it has become today. To combat future health crises, a growing demand for technology-enabled health care solutions like telemedicine can also be expected, creating opportunities for IT professionals and engineers specializing in health care innovation. Intertwined with the digitalization of development is the related uptake of artificial intelligence. Organizations are already embracing AI tools to solve multiple problems, carry out complex tasks, and enhance efficiency. Such tools allow them to explore new ideas, analyze vast datasets to target interventions better and improve resource allocation and mobilization. Experts will be needed to develop and implement AI solutions tailored to specific challenges. Opportunities should grow for data scientists who can collect, analyze, and interpret vast amounts of data generated by development projects and processed through AI systems. There should also be a demand for specialists who can engage with local communities to understand their needs regarding AI technologies and who can facilitate the co-design and implementation of AI solutions that are culturally sensitive and contextually appropriate. This swift pace of technological advancement is also prompting discussions on ethical development and implementation of new technological tools. People are demanding greater transparency from organizations, governments, and scientists, stimulating discussions about ethical design and deployment. In this context, there will likely be continued demand for experts in accountability, governance, public administration reform, transparency, and the rule of law. Concerns about democratic backsliding, xenophobic populism, and disinformation could well create employment opportunities for experts in these areas. Individuals with a background in law, communications, sociology, public policy, or political science may be particularly well suited to take advantage of these opportunities. Demand will grow for experts in implementing, monitoring, and reporting on international standards for environmental, social, and governance practices. Responses to geopolitical and cultural shifts require interdisciplinary skills We are already witnessing the rebalancing of global power relations and global economic fragmentation. Middle-income nations have found their voice and are demanding a larger voice in international affairs. They expect more from development institutions led by wealthy states, which can expect to increasingly focus their poverty-reduction efforts on Africa, the Middle East, and fragile and conflict-affected areas. Localization is being embraced by traditional donors, and dozens of states have welcomed infrastructure development financed through China’s Belt and Road initiative. The eight-year-old Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, based in Beijing and with middle-income countries like India, Turkey, and Indonesia among its leading shareholders, is sharply increasing its staffing contingent. Meanwhile, traditional multilateral banks and agencies have made efforts to decentralize operations, sending more staff out of headquarters and into the field, and are continuing to try. Global conflicts are contributing to humanitarian crises, and the number of refugees has never been higher. Development assistance is increasingly becoming securitized. In these turbulent times in international affairs, some job categories are particularly well positioned for growth. Demand for skilled professionals in humanitarian and crisis response areas is expected to remain robust. Conflicts will require experts in conflict resolution, diplomacy, and peace building and will create more work for refugee camp coordinators, immigration specialists, and cultural liaisons. Further involvement of local players in the design and delivery of development interventions could also lead to increasing demand for expertise in capacity building, community engagement, and participatory approaches to development. These professionals would work alongside local stakeholders to co-create contextually relevant and sustainable solutions. Another likely job growth area is gender-sensitive programming and policies across sectors ranging from education and health care to economic empowerment and governance. This may translate into opportunities for those with expertise in gender analysis, intersectionality, and inclusive development approaches. An increasing number of organizations in the development field are willing to experiment with market-driven methods to tackle environmental and social problems. At the same time, many private sector players are trying to align their goals with sustainable development objectives. These developments will continue to stimulate demand for professionals capable of driving inclusive business models, fostering partnerships, and measuring social impact metrics. This should bode well for job seekers possessing entrepreneurial talent, business development skills, and knowledge of inclusive business models and social impact indicators. Traditionally, careers in development have been associated with fields such as economics, public health, and humanitarian aid. However, there is a growing recognition of the need for a diverse array of skills to address complex development challenges effectively. This includes expertise in areas such as technology and innovation, data analytics, environmental science, social entrepreneurship, and cross-cultural communication. As the scope of development expands to encompass multidimensional challenges, professionals with interdisciplinary skill sets will be increasingly sought after. Ready to stand out from the crowd and get noticed by the recruiters who matter most? Update your Devex profile and start connecting with top global development recruiters now.