The top global development hubs in Asia

Asia, the largest continent in the world (both in population and land coverage), is home to some of the world’s fastest-growing economies, emerging superpowers, and a large mix of low-income to high-income countries. This makes Asia a focal point for international development initiatives — playing a crucial role in addressing the most pressing needs from education, health, infrastructure, and poverty alleviation. In this article, we look into the countries with the most job openings in Asia, with a list of some of the top global development employers in each. While we see a large presence of United Nations agencies such as UNICEF and the U.N. Development Programme, and multilateral development banks such as the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank (with its headquarters located in Manila, Philippines), we also see the large presence of smaller organizations. Among these are the International Rice Research Institute (with headquarters in the Philippines and working mainly in countries reliant on the rice industry), BRAC (with headquarters in and working predominantly in Bangladesh), and the Global Green Growth Institute (with headquarters in South Korea and working in low- and middle-income countries worldwide). As part of our ongoing exploration of the top global development employers in key countries and cities around the world, let's take a closer look at the organizations offering the most job opportunities over the past 12 months in key Asian countries. Top organizations hiring in the Philippines Out of the more than 2,600 Philippine jobs posted on Devex in the last 12 months, the cities with the most openings are Manila (771 jobs), Makati (98 jobs) and Cotabato (59 jobs). Some of the top hiring organizations are: 1. International Committee of the Red Cross Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland. Philippines office: 17th floor, NEX Tower, 6786 Ayala Avenue, Makati City 1229, Philippines. Year founded: 1863. Philippines-based jobs posted over the past 12 months: 49. ICRC is an international humanitarian organization responsible for the protection of people affected by armed conflicts and other forms of violence. It currently has an opening for donor communications officers who will work as writers and editors for the donor reporting team in ICRC’s Manila Shared Services Center. View all current job postings from ICRC on Devex. 2. IDinsight Headquarters: San Francisco, United States. Philippines office: 100 Amorsolo Street, Legazpi Village, Makati City, Metro Manila. Year founded: 2011. Philippines-based jobs posted over the past 12 months: 46. IDinsight is a research organization specializing in data analytics and global development advisory to create social impact. It is currently looking for a junior economist in the Philippines, among other places, who will be responsible for ensuring the quality of research design, implementation, and outputs of IDinsight’s projects. View all current job postings from IDInsight on Devex. 3. International Rice Research Institute Headquarters: Pili Drive, Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines. Year founded: 1960. Philippines-based jobs posted over the past 12 months: 38. IRRI is a research organization that aims to strengthen the rice industry and improve the quality of life of rice farmers and consumers. Top organizations hiring in India Out of the more than 2,300 Indian jobs posted on Devex in the last 12 months, the cities of Delhi (246 jobs), Mumbai (229 jobs), and Bangalore (71 jobs) have the most openings. Some of the top hiring organizations are: 1. The Akshaya Patra Foundation Headquarters: Hare Krishna Hill, West of Chord Road, Rajajinagar, Bengaluru, India. Year founded: 2000. India-based jobs posted over the past 12 months: 56. The Akshaya Patra Foundation works to solve hunger and malnutrition by providing hot and nutritious meals for children in India. 2. Samhita Headquarters: 2nd Floor, Jagdamba House, Peru Baug, Goregaon, Mumbai, India. Year founded: 2009. India-based jobs posted over the past 12 months: 56. Samhita aims to create social impact, especially for women and underserved communities in India, by working with private, public, social, and financial sectors. Samhita currently has an opening for a growth and innovation team manager who will collaborate with stakeholders to develop new initiatives and programs for the organization. View all current job postings from Samhita on Devex. 3. World Resources Institute Headquarters: Washington, D.C., United States. India offices: Three offices located in Mumbai, New Delhi, and Bengaluru. Year founded: 1982. India-based jobs posted over the past 12 months: 49. WRI is a global research institute that focuses on climate action, environmental management, food and energy production. The Institute is currently looking for a program manager to support city governments in implementing air quality projects and policies in India. View all current job postings from WRI on Devex. Top organizations hiring in Pakistan Out of the more than 1,700 Pakistani jobs posted on Devex in the last 12 months, the top cities with the most openings are Islamabad (606 jobs), Lahore (209 jobs), and Karachi (179 jobs). Some of the top hiring organizations are: 1. Pathfinder International Main offices: Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso; Karachi, Pakistan; and Washington, D.C., United States. Pakistan office: Bungalow No. F-57/1, Park Lane, Block 5, Clifton, Karachi. Year founded: 1957. Pakistan-based jobs posted over the past 12 months: 84. Pathfinder International works to provide women and families with contraception and ensure that they are given access to quality reproductive health care and family planning. View all current job postings from Pathfinder International on Devex. 2. Aga Khan Development Network Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland. Pakistan-based jobs posted over the past 12 months: 46. The Aga Khan Development Network, along with its agencies, works in the fields of education, health, cultural heritage, community development, and economic growth to help improve the quality of life of people in need. Aga Khan Health Services is currently looking for a communication manager to help develop and implement communication strategies in Pakistan. View all current job postings from the Aga Khan Network on Devex. 3. International Water Management Institute Headquarters: Colombo, Sri Lanka. Pakistan office: 2KM Multan Road, Chowk Thokar Niaz Baig, Lahore. Year founded: 1984. Pakistan-based jobs posted over the past 12 months: 20. IWMI is a research-for-development organization that focuses on initiatives to address water and land management challenges across the globe. View all current job postings from IWMI on Devex. Top organizations hiring in Indonesia Out of the more than 1,600 Indonesian jobs posted on Devex in the last 12 months, the cities of Jakarta (919 jobs), Semarang (19 jobs), and Banda Aceh (15 jobs) have the most openings. Some of the top hiring organizations are: 1. DT Global Headquarters: Arlington, Virginia, United States. Year founded: 2019. Indonesia-based jobs posted over the past 12 months: 251. DT Global is an international development organization that provides data-driven solutions to the world’s most pressing development challenges. DT Global is currently looking to hire a procurement officer to ensure highly efficient and compliant procurement services for the Indonesia-Australia partnership facility. View all current job postings from DT Global on Devex. 2. Cowater International Headquarters: Ottawa, Canada. Year founded: 1985. Indonesia-based jobs posted over the past 12 months: 36. Cowater International is a consulting organization that provides technical assistance, policy advice, and implementation support for the areas of human, economic, and sustainable development. View all current job postings from Cowater International on Devex. 3. Global Green Growth Institute Headquarters: Seoul, South Korea. Indonesia office: Jl. Taman Patra Raya No.10, Kuningan Timur, Setiabudi, Jakarta. Year founded: 2012. Indonesia-based jobs posted over the past 12 months: 30. GGGI is an intergovernmental organization that promotes green and sustainable growth for the world’s developing and emerging economies. View all current job postings from GGGI on Devex. Top organizations hiring in Bangladesh Out of the more than 1,300 Bangladeshi jobs posted on Devex in the last 12 months, the cities of Dhaka (757 jobs), Cox’s Bazar (173 jobs), and Sylhet (12 jobs) have the most openings. Some of the top hiring organizations are: 1. BRAC Headquarters: BRAC Centre, 75 Mohakhali, Dhaka, Bangladesh. Year founded: 1972. Bangladesh-based jobs posted over the past 12 months: 130. BRAC is a nongovernmental organization that aims to provide humanitarian and social development programs for people living in poverty across Asia and Africa. View all current job postings from BRAC on Devex. 2. Oxfam International Headquarters: Nairobi, Kenya. Year founded: 1995. Bangladesh-based jobs posted over the past 12 months: 19. Oxfam International works to fight poverty and injustice through development programs and emergency response worldwide. View all current job postings from Oxfam International on Devex. 3. Teach For All Headquarters: New York, United States. Year founded: 2007. Bangladesh-based jobs posted over the past 12 months: 17. Teach for All aims to widen educational opportunities through a global network of professionals teaching in underserved communities. View all current job postings from Teach for All on Devex. Development professionals based in Asia may also explore the opportunities in Thailand, specifically in the capital city of Bangkok which serves as the headquarters for the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific and where several INGOs and private sector organizations are present and actively working.