The top global development employers hiring in South Africa
An overview of the leading development employers on Devex’s job board and their latest openings in South Africa, a key player in the African economic landscape.
Despite being a key player in the African economic landscape, the global south, including South Africa, receives a disproportionately small share of official development assistance, or ODA, compared to other regions. The World Bank reports that while employment in South Africa rebounded in 2023, the pace of job creation has not kept up with the growing labor force. This has resulted in a persistent unemployment rate of 32.4%, with women and young people disproportionately affected. As part of our ongoing efforts to bridge the career gap and for those seeking careers in development, Devex’s job board featured a total of 1,350 job listings in the country from January 2023 to the present date. While the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, or FCDO, and UNICEF have been the top employers during this period, this article focuses on highlighting the other opportunities available in the development sector. Who are the other leading development employers in South Africa? Check out this list of South Africa’s top 10 development employers, ranging from private sector companies to nonprofit organizations. Top 5 private sector companies hiring in South Africa 1. Chemonics International Inc. Headquarters: Washington, D.C., United States Year founded: 1975 South Africa-based jobs posted over the past 12 months: 36 Chemonics is a global development leader providing comprehensive solutions to complex challenges. In Africa, the firm focuses on building local capacity, promoting sustainable development, and addressing critical issues like biodiversity conservation, trade facilitation, and early warning systems for famine. 🔍View all current job postings from Chemonics on Devex. 2. DAI Headquarters: Maryland, United States Year founded: 1970 South Africa-based jobs posted since 2023: 20 DAI is a global development consulting firm that works with governments, nongovernmental organizations, and international financial institutions to solve development challenges. In sub-Saharan Africa, DAI provides a wide range of development services, from rural development and agriculture to security sector reform and nutrition programs. 🔍View all current job postings from DAI on Devex. 3. Tetra Tech Headquarters: California, United States Year founded: 1966 South Africa-based jobs posted since 2023: 19 Tetra Tech is a global engineering and consulting firm that provides various services related to water, environment, infrastructure, and international development. The firm led the first phase of Power Africa, a U.S. government partnership to increase access to cleaner, more reliable energy to power economies and improve lives in sub-Saharan Africa. 🔍View all current job postings from Tetra Tech on Devex. 4. BroadReach Group Headquarters: Cape Town, South Africa Year founded: 2003 South Africa-based jobs posted since 2023: 14 BroadReach Group is a health care consulting firm specializing in improving health outcomes in developing countries. The firm operates two businesses, Vantage Health Technologies, and BroadReach Health Development, to transform health care delivery by bridging public and private sectors. They are currently seeking a coordinator to provide patient-centered support to address health-related needs. 🔍View all current BroadReach job postings in South Africa on Devex. 🔍View all current job postings from BroadReach on Devex. 5. International Development Group Headquarters: Virginia, United States Year founded: 1988 South Africa-based jobs posted since 2023: 10 International Development Group, or IDG, is a consulting firm dedicated to promoting inclusive economic growth in developing countries. IDG supports South Africa’s climate transition by providing targeted technical assistance for greenhouse gas reduction analysis and policy, fostering sustainable, climate-resilient growth. It is currently seeking an experienced manager to contribute to the USAID OASIS South Africa regional environment adapting and learning, or REAL, activity. 🔍View all current IDG job postings in South Africa on Devex. 🔍View all current job postings from IDG on Devex. Top 5 nonprofit organizations hiring in South Africa 1. mothers2mothers Headquarters: Cape Town, South Africa Year founded: 2001 South Africa-based jobs posted since 2023: 47 mothers2mothers is a global nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV. In South Africa, m2m impacted thousands of lives across seven provinces, delivering essential services to prevent HIV transmission and improve the health and well-being of mothers and children. m2m is currently looking for a manager to be the lead technical expert for all strategic information responsibilities for USAID South Africa ACCELERATE 1 — TB High Burden — Project. 🔍View all current m2m job postings in South Africa on Devex. 🔍View all current job postings from m2m on Devex. 2. The Nature Conservancy Headquarters: Virginia, United States Year founded: 1951 South Africa-based jobs posted since 2023: 43 The Nature Conservancy, or TNC, is a global environmental nonprofit working to create a world where people and nature can thrive. TNC is using an innovative Water Funds model to protect rare fynbos habitat and secure more of Cape Town’s freshwater resources for its citizens in South Africa. 🔍View all current job postings from TNC on Devex. 3. Teach for All Headquarters: New York, United States Year founded: 2007 South Africa-based jobs posted since 2023: 35 Teach For All is an independent nonprofit organization that recruits and develops talented individuals to teach in high-need schools. Teach For All envisions that by 2028, its network partner organizations will be reaching thousands of children in at least 13 African nations. They are currently seeking a Head of Region in sub-Saharan Africa whose primary responsibility is to lead the network in the region. 🔍View all current Teach for All job postings in South Africa on Devex. 🔍View all current job postings from Teach for All on Devex. 4. Frontline AIDS Headquarters: Brighton, United Kingdom Year founded: 1993 South Africa-based jobs posted since 2023: 24 Frontline AIDS is a partnership that supports the work of existing community-led organizations responding to HIV and AIDS. In South Africa, Frontline AIDS advocates for the human rights of people living with HIV and helps marginalized communities protect themselves from HIV. 5. C40 Cities Headquarters: London, United Kingdom Year founded: 2005 South Africa-based jobs posted since 2023: 21 C40 Cities is a global network committed to addressing climate change. C40 Cities has been in Africa since 2013 and is supporting cities in Africa in implementing transformative low-carbon and climate-resilient action. 🔍View all current job postings from C40 on Devex. Interested in exploring other employment opportunities across South Africa, including roles with organizations like World Vision, FHI 360, or ERM? Check out the Devex job board. Update, Sept. 3, 2024: This article has been updated to clarify that the 36 Chemonics job openings are based in South Africa. Ready to stand out from the crowd and get noticed by the recruiters who matter most? 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Despite being a key player in the African economic landscape, the global south, including South Africa, receives a disproportionately small share of official development assistance, or ODA, compared to other regions.
The World Bank reports that while employment in South Africa rebounded in 2023, the pace of job creation has not kept up with the growing labor force. This has resulted in a persistent unemployment rate of 32.4%, with women and young people disproportionately affected.
As part of our ongoing efforts to bridge the career gap and for those seeking careers in development, Devex’s job board featured a total of 1,350 job listings in the country from January 2023 to the present date. While the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, or FCDO, and UNICEF have been the top employers during this period, this article focuses on highlighting the other opportunities available in the development sector.
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Kim Torres is the Data Collection Team Manager at Devex, where she oversees and analyzes the latest funding and job opportunities within the development sector. She has a bachelor's degree in International Studies from the Far Eastern University.
