The top local employers in East Asia and the Pacific
A look into the organizations from East Asia and the Pacific region with the most job openings amid U.S. foreign aid cuts.
Employment in the development sector has been shaken up across the world by the Trump administration’s decision to shut down USAID. However it’s had less impact in East Asia and the Pacific than it has had elsewhere. The number of jobs has fallen only slightly, according to data collected using the Devex job board. This year, from the point U.S. President Donald Trump assumed office until last week, the number of jobs posted was 3,828, down only 6.7% from 4,092 in the same period last year. Funding constraints and shifting priorities have led to the growth of the role of homegrown organizations in various fields, including environmental sustainability, economic development, and social inclusion. Larger organizations such as the Asian Development Bank and the Global Green Growth Institute are actively seeking applicants at their headquarters in the Philippines and South Korea, respectively, as well as in other countries, including Mongolia, Fiji, and Indonesia. In this article we’ve brought you two lists. One looks at the top multilateral organizations with the most job openings since Jan. 24, while the other looks at the top employer in each of the other main organization types that use our jobs board. The top multilateral organizations hiring in East Asia and the Pacific 1. Asian Development Bank Headquarters: Mandaluyong City, Philippines Year founded: 1966 Total jobs posted since Jan. 24: 1,785 ADB is the largest financial institution in Asia that is dedicated to helping low- and middle-income member countries to alleviate poverty and improve their people’s quality of life. ADB is currently seeking an analyst to conduct integrity due diligence, or IDD, reviews for the partner financial institutions of its Trade and Supply Chain Finance Program, or TSCFP. View all current job openings from ADB on Devex. 2. Global Green Growth Institute Headquarters: Seoul, South Korea Year founded: 2012 Total jobs posted since Jan. 24: 209 GGGI is an intergovernmental organization that helps countries transition to a green-growth model and achieve environmental sustainability and economic growth. The institute currently has an opening for a communication and knowledge sharing unit head based in Seoul, who will lead the institute’s internal and external communications, branding strategies, and knowledge sharing efforts. View all current job openings from GGGI on Devex. 3. Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank Headquarters: Beijing, China Year founded: 2016 Total jobs posted since Jan. 24: 117 AIIB is a multilateral development bank responsible for financing infrastructure projects and improving connectivity in Asia and beyond. AIIB is currently seeking a digital program associate based in Beijing who will contribute to the design and development of the bank’s data ecosystem and provide data analysis to harness data insights. View all current job openings from AIIB on Devex. 4. United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific Headquarters: Bangkok, Thailand Year founded: 1947 Total jobs posted since Jan. 24: 89 UNESCAP is the regional arm of the United Nations that helps to achieve inclusive, economic, and social development across the Asia-Pacific region. It is currently seeking an intern to identify AI-driven tools and digital solutions to support the agency’s communications and knowledge management section. View all current job openings from UNESCAP on Devex. 5. The Pacific Community Headquarters: Nouméa, New Caledonia Year founded: 1947 Total jobs posted since Jan. 24: 38 The Pacific Community, formerly the South Pacific Commission, is a scientific and technical organization that provides sustainable development support to its member countries and territories in the Pacific region. It is currently seeking a culture adviser to be based in Suva, Fiji, for the Culture for Development program. View all current job openings from The Pacific Community on Devex. Job seekers who are interested in working for multilateral organizations in East Asia and the Pacific may also consider opportunities from the Green Climate Fund and the International Vaccine Institute, both based in Seoul, and the New Development Bank based in Shanghai, China. Other top organizations hiring in East Asia and the Pacific Top bilateral organization: Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Headquarters: Canberra, Australia Year founded: 1987 Total jobs posted since Jan. 24: 30 The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is the Australian government agency responsible for promoting Australia's international interests, foreign policy, trade, and development aid worldwide. The agency is seeking media and communications officers to help amplify Australia’s engagement both domestically and overseas. View all current job openings from DFAT on Devex. Top development consulting firm: Water Technology Pty Ltd Headquarters: Melbourne, Australia Year founded: 2000 Total jobs posted since Jan. 24: 24 Water Technology Pty Ltd is a science and engineering consulting firm that provides solutions for complex water and environmental challenges. It currently has an opening for a senior hydrogeologist to provide hydrogeological analysis and project and stakeholder management expertise for its merger with Innovative Groundwater Solutions. View all current job openings from Water Technology in Devex. Top foundation: Gokongwei Brothers Foundation Headquarters: Mandaluyong City, Philippines Year founded: 1992 Total jobs posted since Jan. 24: 10 The Gokongwei Brothers Foundation is a philanthropic organization dedicated to advancing STEM education in the Philippines through scholarships, educator development, and institutional endowments. View all current job openings from Gokongwei Brothers Foundation on Devex. Top NGO: Kenan Foundation Asia Headquarters: Bangkok, Thailand Year founded: 1996 Total jobs posted since Jan. 24: 16 Kenan Foundation Asia is an organization that empowers people in Southeast Asia to foster education, social inclusion, and economic development. Interested development professionals based in East Asia and the Pacific may also want to explore openings from other top organizations focused on social inclusion and climate solutions, such as SG Enable, Baan Dek Foundation, and CarbonEthics, based in Singapore, Thailand, and Indonesia, respectively.
Employment in the development sector has been shaken up across the world by the Trump administration’s decision to shut down USAID.
However it’s had less impact in East Asia and the Pacific than it has had elsewhere. The number of jobs has fallen only slightly, according to data collected using the Devex job board.
This year, from the point U.S. President Donald Trump assumed office until last week, the number of jobs posted was 3,828, down only 6.7% from 4,092 in the same period last year.
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Genevieve Gregorio is a Data Quality and Knowledge Management Associate at Devex. She is part of the Data Collections Team, focusing on overall content strategy, ensuring quality and accurate data and providing support in research and analysis. She has a bachelor's degree in International Studies from Miriam College and a master's degree in Political Economy from the University of Asia and the Pacific.
